News

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended a regular meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. European affairs ministers focused on preparations for the October European Council and the horizontal dimension of the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, which for the first time includes Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia.

The Republic of Slovenia – EUR 10-year tap of 3.00 percent 03/2034 notes.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held bilateral talks in Switzerland with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary at the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

In New York, the High-level week has begun with leaders from all over the world gathering at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. One day before the official opening of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2024, world leaders participated in the Summit for the Future and adopted the Compact for the Future, which includes commitments to promote international peace and security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, appeared today as a keynote speaker at the Save the Children event. The attendees were also addressed by the Queen of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Rania al Abdullah, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, Simon Harris, and the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa.

Prime Minister Robert Golob concluded his first day at the 79th UN General Assembly with an address at the Summit of the Future.

Prime Minister Robert Golob begins his participation in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly by attending the Summit for the Future. As part of the summit, the action-oriented Pact for the Future was adopted with two annexes – the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact.

On the margins of the Women Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted by Canada and Jamaica in Toronto, Minister Tanja Fajon took part in a panel discussion on women's participation and role in leadership, governance and decision-making. Also attending are the foreign ministers of Andorra, Congo, Ghana, Eswatini, Indonesia, Kosovo, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Romania and Slovenia.

“In a world marked by many complex crises, protracted conflicts and aggressive wars, we need more active efforts for peace, more promotion of dialogue and more action for mutual respect, understanding and cooperation,” said Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, on the occasion of today's International Day of Peace, which is celebrated under the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon chairs today’s UN Security Council briefing on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The debate on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 focuses primarily on the issue of laying the groundwork for a future two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

At today's session, the Government adopted a proposal for the Act Regulating the Supplement to Pensions for Outstanding Achievements in Arts, included two new projects in the Development Programme Plan 2024-2027, the Cybersecurity Situational Centre and the National Emergency Medical Centre, and decided to nominate as a member of the European Commission Marta Kos.

Minister Tanja Fajon chaired the Security Council debate in New York on the United Nations Special Political Mission in Afghanistan, focusing on the deteriorating situation of women and girls. This is the first in a series of debates the Minister will chair during the month of September, when Slovenia holds the presidency of the Security Council and world leaders traditionally gather for the United Nations General Assembly.

The ninth Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week under the theme ‘’Stronger cooperation for a better future’’ was officially opened in Izola today. The traditional event that gathers hundreds of stakeholders on Slovenian coast every year aims to raise awareness of the sea and the coast and the need to balance their economic potential and environmental sustainability.

State Secretary Marko Štucin delivered an opening address at the 9th Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies in Izola, which is taking place under the slogan “Stronger cooperation for a better future”. Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region and is the only country that participates with its entire territory in three of the four macro-regional strategies (Alpine, Adriatic-Ionian and Danube).

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the fifth edition of the Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Partnership Platform in Chisinau, aimed at securing and coordinating international assistance to help Moldova tackle key political and social challenges. On the sidelines of the Conference, State Secretary Gabrič met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov and addressed participants at an event co-organised by the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF).

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has taken a decision to provide relief to the countries of Central and South-Eastern Europe affected by floods in September this year following their request for assistance through the EU civil protection mechanism by dispatching up to five different post-flood emergency aid units or by providing material aid totalling up to 600,000 euros.

In a press statement today, Prime Minister Golob spoke about the new line-up of the European Commission and the role entrusted to Slovenia. "It is a high-responsibility duty. By getting the Enlargement portfolio, Slovenia has been entrusted with the key to ensuring stability and peace not only in the Western Balkans, but also in Eastern Europe," he said and added that the portfolio also included the reconstruction of Ukraine.

At the meetings of government committees, the Government, among other things, decided to provide assistance to the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe that were affected by floods in September 2024. Based on their requests for assistance through the Union's civil protection mechanism, the Government will provide aid with up to five different flood intervention units or appropriate material assistance with a total value of up to 600,000 euros.

Embassy of Slovenia in Washington attended the annual Taste of Europe event at the Capitol Hill, hosted by the EU delegation to the USA.

The European Commission today gave a preliminary positive assessment to the third request for payment of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Slovenia expects payment of EUR 257.7 million later this year.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the celebration in Vipava marking the national holiday of the Return of Primorska to the Motherland, where he was the keynote speaker.

At the invitation of Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, Minister Fajon took part in a meeting of European and Arab foreign ministers. The discussion focused on strengthening joint efforts and initiatives aimed at realising the two-state solution and achieving peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. They agreed that more diplomacy and international cooperation are needed to resolve this conflict.

The rules for visa-free travel to most European countries will change. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for the nationals of around 60 visa-exempt countries travelling to 30 European countries. Similar travel authorisations for visa-exempt nationals are currently implemented by the US, Canada and Australia as well as other countries.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the Yerevan Dialogue Conference in Armenia, held under the auspices of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and held political consultations.

In the latest episode, Zoran Potič hosted distinguished American professor in the field of communication and public diplomacy, Nicholas J. Cull. They discussed the history of disinformation, the characteristics of disinformation today, and the challenges modern technologies and the increasing amounts of (dis)information pose to democracy.

At the panel “Information Disruption: Strengthening the West's Resilience against Foreign Information Manipulation”, Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), presented the government's activities in countering disinformation to European students at the 12th “Balkan SAYS (Security Architecture Youth Seminar) 2024” seminar in Ljubljana.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted a meeting of coalition deputies and Government representatives at Brdo pri Kranju. The Government coalition meeting was aimed at reviewing the coalition agreement’s implementation and planning the work to be completed by the end of the term.

At today's meeting, the Slovenian Government took note of the Autumn Forecast of Economic Trends 2024 and adopted the Strategy for the Development of Health Services in Primary Healthcare to 2031. It also approved the text of the Act Implementing the General Product Safety Regulation (EU).

On 12 September 2024, the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia hosted a development conference in Ljubljana titled Decentralisation and efficient public services: Slovenia's development vision for the next decade. The conference discussed Slovenia's diverse development challenges and policies. The Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, opened the conference.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs today signed a contract with Caritas Slovenia for the implementation of a project to rehabilitate wounded Palestinian children in Slovenia and provide humanitarian aid in Gaza. In cooperation with the Danilo Türk Foundation, the project also aims to provide medical and psychosocial rehabilitation for victims of the war in Gaza.

The world is facing a triple planetary crisis – biodiversity loss, pollution of natural resources and climate change. The latter is also manifested in extreme, water-related phenomena – floods, low flows, and droughts. As all countries are confronted with climate change, they must contribute to increasing climate resilience in transboundary river basins and river basins in concert and through common approaches.

This month marks 20 years since the launch of Slovenia’s first project of close inter-institutional cooperation, in which Slovenia, just a few months after joining the EU, began sharing its knowledge and experience in the pre-accession process.

As part of his visit to Bucharest, State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations with the State Secretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Clara Staicu. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on current European, regional and international issues.

‘’Cohesion policy funding helps us create jobs and support projects that improve our transport, energy, healthcare and education infrastructure, promote cooperation between partners, improve security at our borders, contribute to fight against climate change and foster the digital transition of our society,’’ underscored Minister Jevšek at the event.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob today attended a reception and award ceremony for athletes and coaches to commemorate the Olympic medals that Slovenia took home from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport, Matjaž Han, and the President of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, Franjo Bobinec addressed the athletes.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with the Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra, Xavier Espot Zamora. This is the first-ever visit at the level of Prime Ministers between the two countries.

At today's session, the Slovenian Government has decided on a proposal for the appointment of the candidate as a Member of the European Commission and to submit the proposal to the National Assembly. The Government nominates Marta Kos as a candidate for appointment as a Member of the European Commission.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Tomaž Vesel, the Slovenian Government's candidate for European Commissioner. Mr Vesel informed the Prime Minister of his decision to withdraw his candidacy due to differences of opinion regarding the future composition of the European Commission. These differences emerged from a conversation between him and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU organised an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council that took place in Budapest on 6 September 2024. The meeting brought together EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy to discuss the role of cohesion policy in addressing demographic challenges in the EU.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has adopted amendments to the Programme of Development Incentives for Border Problem Areas in the 2022-2025 Period.

At today's session, the Government adopted the proposal for the Road Tolling Act and proposed new amendments to the Inheritance Act and the Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act. The main objective of the proposed Road Tolling Act is to promote the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles on the roads, thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution.

Director of Government Communication Office (UKOM) Petra Bezjak Cirman Meets with Chief of Staff to the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy at Bled Strategic Forum.

Dr Damir Črnčec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, participated in a plenary discussion titled "NATO Beyond 75: An Alliance Fit for the Future" at the Bled Strategic Forum on 3 September. On the occasion NATO’s 75th anniversary, which has had several enlargements whilst successfully exercising deterrence, the panellists focused on current security challenges and the way forward.

The 19th Bled Strategic Forum is coming to an end, having exceeded all expectations with its challenging and complex discussions. The event brought together over 180 speakers from 48 countries and 2500 participants. This turnout proves that the Bled Strategic Forum has become an established platform for the presentation of views, constructive debate, confrontation of different positions and even exchange of opposing opinions.

The Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob, today attended the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum. After welcoming the foreign leaders attending the Forum, Prime Minister Golob took part in a panel of leaders. After the panel, he presented the Bled Strategic Forum Award to Yulia Navalnaya and met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Slovenia today at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Golob. In the morning, the two leaders together visited Črna na Koroškem and were briefed on the situation in the field one year after the floods.

The 19th Bled Strategic Forum was preceded by the Young BSF, where young people discussed with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon the divided world, in which we live in, the conflicts that have become part of everyday life, the importance of being heard, listening and working together. The young people asked her a number of specific questions about Slovenia's foreign policy, thoughts and plans.

Today, Slovenia begins its first presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the 2024–2025 term. On assuming the mandate, Slovenia will present its monthly Programme of Work (PoW), priorities and signature events to the Member States of the Security Council, the wider UN membership, NGOs and the general public.

On 30–31 August 2024, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, where he participated in a panel discussion entitled The Road Ahead: Key Priorities for the EU’s New Leadership, and held two bilateral meetings.

Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, attends the opening ceremony of the renovated Podčetrtek Castle. The castle reopens its doors after decades of decline.