News

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Admiral Stuart Munsch, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and of the new Allied Joint Force Command in Naples. They discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the importance of NATO's KFOR mission for the stability of Kosovo and the wider region.

At the government committee meetings, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, among other things, adopted an opinion on the draft Declaration marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the European Union "At Home in Europe". It also included the project Major Maintenance of Halls of Residence for Secondary School Students 2024-2027 in the current Development Programme Plan for the period 2024-2027.

The Strategic Food Council and the Strategic Health Council held a joint meeting to discuss the starting points and options for changes in the taxation of unhealthy foods, sugary drinks, energy drinks, alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The Resolution on the national programme for the prevention and suppression of crime 2024–2028 paves the way to better civilian security. It is a fundamental guideline for formulating the Government’s national security policy.

On May 4, before the Europe Day, the European institutions opened their doors to visitors, who were able to visit long and complex corridors of the institutions and learn about everything the EU does for its citizens. The member states also presented themselves: Slovenia presented to around 10,000 visitors with its potica pastry and excellent athletes, who are true ambassadors of the Slovenian way of life.

In the first three days of May, most of Slovenia’s electricity consumption was covered by renewable energy sources, while on 4 May 2024, the electricity generated from renewables even exceeded daily consumption.

In late April, Brdo pri Kranju hosted a gathering of communications professionals from various EU member states, candidate countries, and European institutions. The event was organized jointly by the Government Communication Office and the Club of Venice. Participants delved into two key themes: tackling disinformation and the communication challenges posed by the EU's expansion into the Western Balkans.

Political consultations took place between Slovenia and Chile, which the Slovenian side represented by State Secretary Sanja Štiglic and Political Director/Director-General Mateja Norčič Štamcar. On the Chilean side, the consultations were headed by Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen Olivares, Secretary-General of the Chilean Foreign Ministry.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob joined young athletes at the opening of the long-standing Youth Sports Games. This year, for the first time, the Youth Sports Games are being held in Ljubljana, with children and young people competing in ten sports disciplines. Some sporting idols were among those present at the opening ceremony.

The archive reading room and information room will be open only until 12 noon on Thursday, May 9, due to the event.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon visited Israel and Palestine and met with senior officials on both sides. She called on Israel to abandon its plan to attack Rafah and suggested that both sides consider dialogue. She expressed the hope that the negotiations in Cairo would lead to a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.

Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič attended the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Ministers discussed the current challenges facing countries and possible approaches to address them with a view to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The fourth Golden Bee Award will be presented this year. The award committee received 16 applications from 11 countries for achievements in the promotion of bees and wild pollinators.

Twenty years have passed since Slovenia became a member of the European Union. The significant enlargement on May 1, 2004, was the result of our longstanding desire for positive change and the determination to become part of an advanced Europe.

Twenty years ago today, the European Union witnessed its largest enlargement in history, a process that demanded extensive preparations from both the Union and the ten countries of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. In the subsequent years, three more new Member States joined. From today's perspective, this wave of enlargement seems like a small miracle, as it is difficult to maintain the same pace of enlargement in the face of numerous global and domestic challenges.

In April, when Malta held the presidency of the UN Security Council, the focus was on the situation in Gaza and on emergency meetings following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and Iran's attack on Israel. An event was organised on the role of youth in addressing security challenges in the Mediterranean, an open debate on the Middle East and a vote on a resolution on Palestinian membership.

Dear citizens, dear residents of Slovenia and Slovenians at home and abroad, my sincere congratulations on May Day, Labour Day, which historically symbolises the struggle of workers for dignity, equality and fair working conditions.

On 20 May, Slovenia and the world will celebrate World Bee Day for the seventh time. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017. Its main purpose is to raise awareness among the international public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in light of food security, the global elimination of hunger and care for the environment and biodiversity.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar has attended the two day Ministerial Conference on Implementation and Operationalization of EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in Ghent, Belgium.

Citizens of other EU Member States can vote in the European Parliament elections in Slovenia. They must first request to be entered in the voting rights register and their names will be added to the electoral register.

Dear citizens, Slovenians at home and abroad, throughout history, our nation has demonstrated its commitment to freedom of thought and liberal values. There have been moments when we have had to stand tall and make it clear that we oppose all forms of oppression and injustice.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for 12 Entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges (PONI) projects across Slovenia. A total of EUR 12,921,484.80 of European Regional Development Fund support will be allocated to the twelve projects.

The first bilateral economic consultations at Director-General level between Slovenia and Montenegro were held on the sidelines of the official visit by the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, to Podgorica.

On Friday, May 3rd, the Archive, the reading room and the information room will be closed due to a collective leave day.

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in a round table discussion at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana to mark the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's EU membership. The event was organised by the Student Association for International Relations Globallis.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a new investment of the Japanese corporation Yaskawa in Kočevje.

The statement made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić after yesterday's UN Security Council debate on the report of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is unacceptable and insulting, and goes against the spirit of friendly relations between Slovenia and Serbia. The Ministry has therefore summoned the Serbian Chargé d'Affaires over this matter.

The first Cohesion Day event was recently held in Ptuj. At the old glassware factory, the building renovated with the help of EU funds and located in the centre of Slovenia’s oldest city, representatives of the state, municipalities, regional development agencies, local communities and businesses discussed the opportunities that the European Cohesion Policy brings to local communities, cities and regions; they also talked about support for innovative businesses.

At today's session, the Government took note of the starting points for the pension reform, approved the starting point for changes to the disability and pension insurance system and confirmed the basis for initial coordination with the social partners. It also adopted the defence, military and civil defence strategy of the Republic of Slovenia.

Representatives of Slovenia and Carinthia met at Brdo pri Kranju for the 7th session of the Joint Committee Slovenia – Carinthia, co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and the Governor of Carinthia, Dr Peter Kaiser. The chairs reaffirmed the excellent relations and committed to continuing their successful cooperation.

The delegation responsible for implementing forestry policy in Montenegro started its visit to Slovenia on Monday. During its visit, the delegation met with the representatives of the Slovenian ministry responsible for forestry, the Slovenia Forest Service and the Slovenian Forestry Institute. They were shown examples of various forestry practices on the ground.

On 1 May 2004, Slovenia became a member of the European Union, along with nine other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Although there were some uncertainties before accession, from today's perspective we can see that membership has helped our country on the path to economic development and international recognition, and has opened up many new opportunities for people to study, work and do business in other Member States.

Today, Minister Han met with the Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), João Negrão. They discussed the cooperation of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office with the EUIPO and the preparation of the EUIPO Strategic Plan 2030.

Prime Minister Robert Golob has today convened a meeting with representatives of the trade unions, employers and the Government who participate in the Economic and Social Council (ESC).

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for the establishment and operation of the Slovenian Circular Economy Centre – for Green, Creative and Smart Development (JR CKG).

Following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs met with their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States at the High-Level Forum. In her address, Minister Fajon stressed the importance of security in the Persian Gulf and advocated joint strategic cooperation between the EU and the GCC Member States.

Prime Minister Robert Golob marked World Earth Day by attending and speaking at the inauguration of the Mrzlek water pipeline and gave a speech. The new pipeline will provide clean water to approximately 1,100 people and increase the security of the water supply. The project was co-funded by the Government.

At the regular monthly meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon made a strong plea for continued support for Ukraine and for European diplomats to do more to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec attended an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg in the format of a joint session gathering foreign and defence ministers. The topic of the meeting was the acceleration and reinforcement of military assistance to Ukraine and the strengthening of its preparedness and resilience.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran once again provides full consular services.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Smart digital public services.

With the decision of the Government and confirmation at the Foreign Policy Committee, the Republic of Slovenia accepts the initiative to conclude an Agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) regarding the accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the Convention for the Establishment of the European Space Agency and related conditions.

The visit of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon to China concluded with a round table discussion in Beijing, jointly organised by the Bled Strategic Forum and the Chinese think tank, Center for China & Globalization. During the discussion, the participants agreed that effective multilateralism and respect for international law are key to successfully tackling the challenges posed by climate change.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted its opinions on the proposal to call a consultative referendum on the provision of a stable supply of low-carbon electricity and the proposed recommendation that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia ensure the transparent functioning of institutions and the preservation of Slovenia's sovereignty, and took its position on the Fiscal Council's assessment of budget documents.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien hosted the fourth Strategic Dialogue between the two countries in Ljubljana. Established in 2020, the Slovenian-US Strategic Dialogue provides a framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on all topical issues facing the international community.

Prime Minister, Dr. Robert Golob, today met with the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton. They talked about the new EU industrial policy and efforts to increase productivity, competitiveness and economic growth, as well as the future of the EU internal market. After April last year, this is Commissioner Breton's second visit to Slovenia in the last year.

The third phase of the Third periodic safety review of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) has begun, and it includes the implementation of plan for changes and improvements in the next five years after the Periodic safety review was approved. The aim is transparent notification to the public and therefore, the summary report was prepared in Slovenian.

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon opened the Slovenia–China Business Forum in Shanghai. Accompanied by a 71-member business delegation, she continues her search for opportunities in the Chinese market. More than 100 Chinese companies took part in the Forum. Minister Fajon also met with Mayor of Shanghai Gong Zeng and opened the exhibition 'Plečnik's Ljubljana'.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a special European Council meeting in Brussels. EU leaders discussed the current situation in the international community, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, relations with Turkey, the competitiveness of the European economy, the future of the EU internal market and the Capital Markets Union.

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concludes the political part of her visit to China after meeting with Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji. She is accompanied by a large economic delegation, so the final leg of her Asia tour will focus on economic diplomacy.

Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development Dr. Aleksander Jevšek attended the opening of this year's edition of the international trade fair for construction Megra as keynote speaker. In his remarks, the Minister underlined that the trade fair offered not only excellent business opportunities to businesses and individuals in the construction industry but also served as a platform to explore avenues to advance technological development in many areas. On this occasion, the Minister awarded environmental certifications Quality Label in Construction 2024.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon has begun an official visit to China. She is first stopping in Beijing and later in Shanghai. The four-day visit will focus on political dialogue, both bilateral and in the UN Security Council, strengthening economic cooperation and showcasing Slovenia's cultural diplomacy.

At today's meeting, the Government adopted a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which implements three decisions of the Constitutional Court, raises the standard of demonstrating proof and shortens the time limit for obtaining information. It also issued a Decree on the method of determining the conditions and criteria for allocating investment incentives and conditions for strategic investment.

An exhibition dedicated to Ferdinand Augustin Hallerstein and his astronomical observatory in Beijing opened on April 17, 2024, in Beijing, China. The exhibition is the result of many years of fruitful cooperation between the Archives Administration of China, the First Historical Archives of China, and the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia.
The exhibition was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms. Tanja Fajon.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, today hosted the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón. The two Prime Ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the war in Gaza. They also touched on the issue of recognition of Palestine and agreed to hold a joint meeting of the two Governments.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended a panel discussion held by the Academy of Sciences for the Sustainable Development of Slovenia at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana, where he also addressed the participants. The topic of the panel was the challenges and risks of sustainable development in Slovenia.

Last week, Ambassador Iztok Mirošič attened the 10th Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska. He also participated on the panel entitled What happens when the Arctic Doesn't Stay in the Arctic as a guest speaker.

State Secretary Marko Štucin, on behalf of Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, participated in an extraordinary videoconference meeting of EU foreign ministers on the current developments in the Middle East. The meeting was convened by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, following Iran's attack on Israel.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is concluding her visit to Japan. On the second day, she met with Kazuchiko Iwata, Japan's Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as representatives of Japan's largest business federation Keidanren, namely the CEO of Hitachi Corporation Toshiaki Higashihara and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SMBC, Japan's second largest bank.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with the Mayors of Črna na Koroškem, Ravne na Koroškem, Ljubno and Luče to discuss the progress of post-flood recovery.

In Japan, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in the UN Security Council, particularly in view of the many conflicts that require decisive action by the international community. On the first day of her visit to Tokyo, Minister Fajon addressed the Japan-Slovenia Business Council and gave a lecture at Keio University.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic attended the International humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries in Paris, organised by France, Germany and the European Union. Addressing representatives from some 60 countries, Ms Štiglic stressed the need to protect civilians and allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

The new issue of the News from Nuclear Slovenia is published.

Consular operations at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran are temporarily limited to providing essential consular services in support of Slovenian citizens.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a consultation of leaders in Vienna to discuss the strategic priorities of the European Union for the next five-year period. The leaders of Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia and Denmark attended the working dinner, alongside the hosts, European Council President Charles Michel and Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar accepted the invitation of the Lithuanian Minister of the Interior Agnë Bilotaitë and travelled to Lithuania for a two-day work visit.

The topic of the new podcast show is migration. Zorana Potič's guest is the executive director of the European Asylum Agency, Nina Gregori, who has been working in this field for her entire career.

Andrej Nared began his five-year term as the Director of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia on April 5, 2024. He had served as the Acting Director of the Slovenian state archives since June 1, 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob expresses his unconditional support to the former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, in his candidacy for the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues. That is why he has held in the past month numerous bilateral talks with EU leaders and senior EU representatives.

At today's session, the Government adopted, among other things, a report on the implementation of the Capital Market Development Strategy and amendments to the Decree on the measures of agri-environment-climate payments, organic farming, and payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints laid down in the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia 2014–2020.

On Monday we officially opened the Bologna Children's Book Fair, where Slovenia is this year's Guest of Honour. As Guest of Honour, Slovenia has a unique opportunity to showcase its creative talents, publishers, authors and illustrators at one of the world's leading platforms for children's and youth literature.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited Sneberje to examine the progress made to restore the houses and the levee damaged by the August floods.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for the implementation of integrated support services for innovative individuals and innovative start-ups 2024-2025 (Start-up consortium) and for the project Small scale incentives via vouchers. The call for proposals and the vouchers will make a total of 21.16 million euros available for start-ups and innovative entrepreneurs.

An exhibition on the technological inventions that help us fight forest fires opens at the Kosovel House in Sežana today. Visitors can learn how firefighting equipment has evolved, see a mock-up of a Slovenian satellite that detects and monitors fires, try firefighting with 3D glasses and find out when the Karst region will be green again. The exhibition will run until 21 April and admission is free.

ALT-EDIC seeks a Director who will lead the Alliance for Language Technologies EDIC (ALT-EDIC), a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (one of the first), aimed at developing a common European infrastructure in Language Technologies, focusing particularly on Large Language Models. It seeks to improve European competitiveness, increase the availability of European language data and uphold Europe’s linguistic diversity and cultural richness.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 1 and 2 May 2024, on the occasion of International Workers' Day.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Call for Palestine petition, Dr Rudi Rizman, the first signatory, as well as Aurelio Juri, Dr Spomenka Hribar, Dr Danijel Rebolj, Dr Primož Šterbenc and Dr Maja Breznik. They exchanged views on the war in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East and the wider region.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development hosted a panel discussion on the opportunities offered by EU cohesion policy in tackling RDI challenges and needs. This was the third event of this kind; the previous two put spotlight on opportunities for young and old people.

State Secretary Dr Blaž Germšek has attended the informal meeting of agriculture ministers in Genk. The discussion focused on how to increase the EU's self-sufficiency in protein crops, while considering all three aspects of sustainability.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the 34th plenary session of the National Children's Parliament, which once again focused on the mental health of children and young people.

Today marks a special day: World Health Day. So let's take this opportunity to reflect upon one of our most important values – health.

The 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted two resolutions on the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and on the rights of minorities, which Slovenia had proposed/filed jointly with two groups of countries.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted the Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Marilena Raouna, for consultations. They reviewed bilateral relations and talked about Slovenia's experience in preparing for the EU Council Presidency in 2021, as well as topical European issues such as EU enlargement, the Western Balkans, EU institutional reforms and EU-Türkiye relations, including the Cyprus issue and migration.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with the leading representatives of the Slovenian justice system. The meeting was also attended by Andreja Katič, the Minister of Justice, and representatives of the Ministry of Public Administration.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Marko Štucin received Gabriel Hribar, President of the Unity List, the umbrella party of the Slovenian national minority in Austria, and Rudi Vouk, President of the Association of Slovenian Lawyers in Carinthia. They discussed the situation of the Slovenian minority in Austria and the petition on the inadequate implementation of minority rights.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in a two-day meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels, which focused on NATO’s 75th anniversary, preparations for the Washington Summit in July, support for Ukraine and strengthening cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. She underlined the importance of unity among allies on key strategic issues.

At today's session, the Government adopted a proposal for a new Lipica Stud Farm Act, setting the conditions for the Stud Farm's development and more efficient management, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage and its economic development. The Government also issued several Decrees concerning agriculture, which grant some of the requests from the recent protests. The Government decided to extend the mediation with the Fides trade union for one week.

On April 3 and 4, 2024, the 95th meeting of the Bureau of the Barcelona Convention was held in Ljubljana, which Slovenia hosted as the presiding country.

As part of the presentation of economic diplomacy, State Secretary Marko Štucin and representatives of the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy visited the Savinja region to present to local companies how economic diplomacy can help Slovenian companies to internationalise their business.

Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, attended the GREMO Innovation Conference, where participants discussed the development of the Slovenian automotive and mobility industry in the light of the green and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with the Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor, Saša Arsenovič.

On Friday, 29 March 2024, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development published the first amendment of the invitation to prepare agreements for the development of regions. The agreements will serve as the basis for co-financing projects under European Cohesion Policy objectives in 12 development regions. “The agreements for the development of regions are an important form of allocating EU funding in accordance with the bottom-up principle,” said Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Raising the level of bilingual education of the Hungarian national community in Slovenia and the Slovenian national community in Hungary.

Slovenia is concluding its third month in the Security Council. During the presidency of Japan, the month was marked by the adoption of a resolution on Gaza, showcasing the leading role of the 10 elected members in peace efforts. Japan organized open debates on the working methods of the UN Security Council and the role of women in conflict prevention.

Dear Citizens, dear Slovenians at home and abroad, I sincerely wish you happy Easter holidays.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the Department of Haematology at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, where the most complex and immunocompromised patients receive treatment. The Department of Haematology is the only tertiary institution for haematology patients in Slovenia.

Ambassador Iztok Mirošič participated in the inaugural Western Balkan Salon Roundtable, a collaborative event series hosted by the Atlantic Council and the embassies of the Western Balkan nations in Washington on March 28, 2024.

On 29 March 2004, the Republic of Slovenia became a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after successfully depositing its Instrument of Accession in Washington. By joining this important political-military alliance, Slovenia achieved one of the main foreign policy and defence-military objectives it set itself at the time of its independence in 1991. This historic milestone was celebrated yesterday with a high-level meeting, panel discussions and a national ceremony at the Brdo Congress Centre.

As the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's accession to the EU approaches, in a new episode of the podcast, we hosted agricultural economist Dr Emil Erjavec. During the negotiations for EU accession, he was a member of the core negotiating team for agriculture and fisheries, the "expert engine" of the negotiations for agriculture. He is a highly popular professor at the Biotechnical Faculty and above all, a great expert in agricultural policy.

The international exercise INEX-6, prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD NEA), was completed at the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration (SNSA).