News

The Government adopted the opinion on the initiative of the FIDES union and Milenko Stanković to instigate a procedure for a review of the constitutionality and legality of the Ordinance on the provision of medical services during a strike. The Government gave a positive opinion on the awarding of Polish state decorations, i.e. the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and the Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland, to two Slovenian citizens.

Minister Tanja Fajon took part in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss the alarming situation in the Middle East, Russian aggression against Ukraine and the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus. She also participated in the third edition of the European Humanitarian Forum, where she presented Slovenia's humanitarian response to the growing number of crises around the world.

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

At today's regular meeting, Prime Minister Robert Golob and President Nataša Pirc Musar exchanged views on current domestic and foreign policy issues.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government read the document on the protest demands of Slovenian farmers and the announced nationwide protest by farmers involving the Farmers’ Union of Slovenia, the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia, the Cooperative Union of Slovenia, the Slovenian Rural Youth Association, the Association of Hill and Mountain Farmers of Slovenia, and the Women Farmers Association of Slovenia.

Prime Minister Golob attended the ceremony marking the breakthrough of the second tube of the Karavanke motorway tunnel. Today's event marked the symbolic breakthrough of the second tunnel tube at the junction with Austria, although the actual breakthrough took place on 5 March.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Strengthening the network of offices for employers. The project will receive support from the European Social Fund Plus.

Ambassador Mirošič attended an informal coffee reception hosted by Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs, Ambassador Michele Sison at the U.S. Department of State on March 15, 2024.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations in Athens at the invitation of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Alexandra Papadopoulou. The two officials also participated as speakers at an event on the Western Balkans, co-organised by the Bled Strategic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), which was attended by more than 130 participants.

The Russian Defence Ministry claims, in a statement posted on Telegram, that there are five Slovenians among foreign mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs presented economic diplomacy to Slovenian craftspeople. The promotion of diplomatic support for craftspeople is part of a series of events aimed at systematically promoting the internationalisation of Slovenian companies through the network of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, particularly in the framework of the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships between Slovenian companies and research institutions (SRIP).

State Secretary Marko Štucin discussed topical European and international issues and bilateral cooperation with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and Glenn Micallef, Head of Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta, in Valletta.

Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek handed over a modern C-type ambulance, equipped with an incubator for the transportation of new-born and premature babies, to Olena Yaroschuk, Acting Director of Maternity Hospital No. 5 in Kyiv, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Ihor Kopach.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Content support to accelerate the global and sustainable growth of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – DevelopmentPlus Programme.

At today's meeting, the Government adopted an amendment to the Act on the Provision of Funds for Investment in Sports Infrastructure and the starting points for the preparation of the Act on Quality in Health Care. It also set the starting points for the conclusion of an agreement on mediation to resolve the strike demands of the FIDES Main Strike Committee and appointed Minister Matej Arčon as Deputy Prime Minister.

Minister Jevšek presented the report on the implementation of the European Cohesion Policy (ECP) for 2014–2020 and 2021–2027: “Slovenia concluded the 2014-2020 ECP as one of the more successful EU Member States. We have utilised all the available funds intended for people, the economy and balanced regional development. In 2023, we started implementing the 2021-2027 ECP, and have already issued decisions on support worth EUR 334 million.”

On Wednesday, 13 March 2024, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), successfully increased the 3% Notes due 10 March 2034 (ISIN SI0002104576) by EUR 500mio, bringing the total outstanding size to EUR 2bn. The success of this transaction is also underpinned by a strong final orderbook in excess of EUR 3.1bn.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, received representatives of the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS). At the meeting, they discussed the solutions needed to regulate the situation of persons with disabilities in society and reviewed the work of the focus group so far in the period 2022–2023.

Minister Matjaž Han met Neale Richmond, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the Republic of Ireland, in Ljubljana. The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and topical European issues in the areas of competitiveness, the future of European industry and the EU internal market.

The Republic of Slovenia – EUR 10-year tap

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Upgrading the SOVIR system for early warning, awareness-raising and adaptation to weather-related emergencies in a changing climate.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited University Medical Centre Maribor, where he met with the management and was briefed on the organisation of work and the implementation of the measures taken by the Government to protect the public healthcare system.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with Enrico Letta, the President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.

Today, the Minister for Slovenians in Neighbouring Countries and Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon and the Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Aleksander Jevšek attended the signing ceremony of the Letter of Intent to establish the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Kras-Carso, which took place at the Regional Palace in Trieste, Italy.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic hosted the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Le Thi Thu Hang, for political consultations in Ljubljana. The fifth round of consultations coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Thu Hang also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Public employee training for obtaining competencies of the future.

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies' "Open Academy" Slovene language courses are still open for registration until 11 March, 2024 at 23:59.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is hosting representatives of the Israeli organisation Women Wage Peace, Manuela Rotstein and Enam Odeh, and the founder of the Palestinian organisation Women of the Sun, Reem Hajajreh. The two organisations have been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their joint work.

Elementary school students will enter a slightly renovated school in the fall. As the latest GOVSI podcast guest, State Secretary from the Ministry of Education, Janja Zupančič, emphasizes, the school is a living community that must adapt to what is happening in the environment. The recently adopted amendment to the Act on Elementary School is one of the responses to these adjustments.

A trilateral meeting between the Intellectual Property Office, the Portuguese Industrial Property Institute and the Latvian Patent Office concluded yesterday. The purpose of the meeting was to sign memorandums of understanding and to share knowledge and good practices, in particular in the areas of non-agri geographical indications, copyright and patenting.

At today's session, the Government adopted the Draft Resolution on the National Programme for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women and amended the Articles of Association of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding.

Please be advised that the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Brussels and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union Brussels are moving to a new location at Rue Joseph II 14, 1000 Brussels.

A meeting of the Development Council of the Western Slovenia cohesion region was held in Koper. The Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, presented the state of play of European Cohesion Policy implementation. He highlighted the drafting of the Regional Development Agreement for which approximately EUR 460 million is available under the 2021-2027 programming period.

On the initiative of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, a second consultation on the possibilities for Slovenian companies to be involved in international supply chains for the construction and maintenance of nuclear power plants was held in Krško.

In recent weeks, some Slovenian and foreign media have published fake news that the Republic of Slovenia was involved in sending 155 mm grenades purchased in India to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals to co-finance multigenerational centres+’ projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food informs the public that the deadline for submitting applications for the Golden Bee Award expires on 15 March 2024. The topic of this year's open call is achievements in the promotion of bees and other pollinators.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, and the Minister of Health, Valentina Prevolnik Rupel, attended the opening of the Centre for the Treatment of Infertility and Biomedically-Assisted Fertilisation at the Postojna Hospital for Women's Diseases and Obstetrics.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels. The main topics of the meeting were the situation in the schengen area, the evaluation of the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the external aspect of migration.

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the third Antalya Diplomacy Forum on 1–3 March 2024, held under the theme "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil". In his address to the panel, he stressed that to successfully meet global challenges head on, especially in diplomacy, we need to be able to talk and seek consensus. He also held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Forum.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the main Civil Protection Day ceremony at Brdo pri Kranju.

The Council of Europe marked the second anniversary of the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the Parliamentary Assembly Theodoros Rousopoulos, Chairman of the Committee of Deputy Ministers and Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein Domenik Wanger, and Permanent Representative of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk addressed the attendees.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Incentives for innovative start-ups in 2024.

State Secretary for European Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office Igor Mally received the Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs János Bóka in Ljubljana.

The second month of our membership in the UN Security Council has come to an end. This month, under the Presidency of Guyana, was marked by the second anniversary of war in Ukraine and the dire situation in Gaza.

State Secretary for International Affairs and National and International Security Vojko Volk paid a productive working visit to Washington D.C. During his time there, he had the privilege of meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O'Brien, and Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, Michele Sison.

The European Commission announced its withdrawal of a proposal for a regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products by 31 March 2024. Slovenia supported the proposal in principle, but repeatedly pointed out certain problematic issues during the discussion, in particular the inadequate consideration of the specificities of individual Member States.

At today's session, the Government issued an ordinance on the provision of medical services during a strike, which sets out the medical services that doctors must provide during the strike by the Fides trade union. The Government also took note of the Spring Forecast of Economic Trends 2024 and adopted an amendment to the draft Matura Examination Act.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted the Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs, Dr János Bóka. They discussed current European issues, with a particular focus on Hungary's preparations for the EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2024 and EU enlargement.

The construction of the Vinjan viaduct, which is the third and also the last viaduct on the route of the second railway track between Koper and Divača, has been completed. Prime Minister Robert Golob and Minister of Infrastructure Alenka Bratušek attended the ceremony. They both gave assurances that another track would be built next to the second track.

The Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the ceremonial opening of the Vinjan viaduct, the third and last viaduct on the route of the new Koper–Divača railway line.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project National platform – Centre for Creativity.

At the government committee meetings, the Government took note of the list of beneficiaries to receive the fourth tranche of advance payments for the reconstruction of housing damaged by floods and landslides in August 2023. A total of 731 beneficiaries will receive advance payments amounting to €2,389,214.42.

Between 27th February and 1st of March, the Center for European Perspective, in collaboration with the U.S. State Department, organized the 24th training session as part of the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange (EDDE) project. The training focused on strengthening digital strategic communication.

On 21 February 2024, a new chapter in diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Albania was opened with the official opening of the Slovenian Consulate in Duress, headed by Honorary Consul Genci Likoskëndaj. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, local authorities, business, media, artists and many distinguished guests.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, acting as the Managing Authority for the Interreg Programme Slovenia-Hungary, organized a signing ceremony for the European Regional Development Fund subsidy contracts for small-scale projects approved in the frame of the first open call submission deadline. The ceremony, which took place on Friday, 23 February 2024, was held in Nagyrécse, Hungary.

Today, the UN Security Council convened a briefing on food insecurity in Gaza, requested by Slovenia, Algeria, Guyana and Switzerland. The meeting followed a white note of 22 February, sent by OCHA to Council members on food security risks in Gaza.

On Saturday, February 24th 2024 Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United States Iztok Mirošič joined the rally organized by Ukranian diaspora in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion to Ukraine.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Robert Golob yesterday in Paris attended a meeting of European leaders and senior representatives of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway.

Participants of today’s EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agri-Fish Council) meeting discussed measures to combat crises in the agricultural sector. Slovenia was represented in the meeting by the Secretary of State, Ms. Eva Knez, who pointed out on arrival that Slovenia welcomed the European Commission’s proposals of simplifying the existing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules. “The measures proposed are aimed at taking greater account of specificities of individual Member States. Today, we repeatedly proposed introducing the ad hoc financial mechanism for countries to be in a position to respond rapidly to crises in agriculture.”

Ambassador Berta Mrak presented her credentials to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Maria Pejčinović Burić, and thus assumed her duties as Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe.

The 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) opened in Geneva and will run until 5 April 2024. Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the high-level segment of the session with a video message, presenting Slovenia's views on the current situation of human rights around the world and the session’s priority themes.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar met his Spanish counterpart Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez in Madrid. The two ministers discussed topical issues in the areas of migration, Schengen, combating people smuggling and the further increase of the police cooperation.

With the evening of chansons and cabaret, performed by two talented Slovenian artists, Sabina Gruden, mezzo-soprano, and Rebeka Dobravec, piano, in the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, the Embassy of Slovenia in Athens marked Prešeren Day, a national holiday, celebrated every year on 8 February.

At today's session, the Government adopted the first measures aimed at protecting the public health system. These measures will be particularly important after 1 March, when the withdrawal of overtime consents by doctors who decided to take this step during the Fides strike will take effect.

The Slovenian community in Australia has reason to rejoice. After losing its regular weekly programme, which had been on the air ever since 1975, on SBS national radio in April last year, Slovenian will be heard on the Australian airwaves again – in Sydney and soon also in Melbourne.

Two years of brutal violence, destruction, suffering, impoverishment of the innocent Ukrainian population, total disregard for the principles of international law and, above all, defiance of the UN Charter by the Russian aggressor, are behind us.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on the second anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Minister Tanja Fajon stressed that the war in Ukraine has led to the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. She added that we must all – without exception – respect international humanitarian law and human rights law at all times.

Below we publish a statement by Prime Minister Golob.

Slovenia presented its intervention at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the context of the request for advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, initiated by the UN General Assembly in December 2022. Slovenia’s main arguments are the right of Palestinians to self-determination and the obligations of Israel as an occupying force.

On the Slovenian cultural holiday, Prešeren Day, an unforgettable presentation of the book "Bojan Adamič in Albania" took place at the Tirana Opera and Ballet Theatre. The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana organised this event in cooperation with the Albanian Centre for Books and Reading, the Ministry of Culture of Albania and the Albanian Academy of Sciences.

Today, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia sent material aid intended for Gaza to Jordan from Ljubljana's Jože Pučnik Airport. “This is Slovenia's first direct aid to the people of Gaza,” said Prime Minister Golob.

At today's regular session, the Slovenian Government adopted a decision on a financial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the amount of EUR 500,000.

At today's session, the Government adopted the draft Acts amending the Excise Duty Act, the Investment Promotion Act and the Minor Offences Act. It also set out the text of the draft Act on Judicial Protection Procedure for Former Holders of Qualified Liabilities of Banks and adopted amendments to the Decree on setting prices for certain petroleum products.

The kick-off conference of the EUSAIR governance support projects was held in Zagreb today. The conference was attended by the ministers for cohesion from Slovenia and Croatia Aleksander Jevšek and Šime Erlić. The ministers highlighted the importance of cooperation among the countries in the Adriatic and Ionian Region and talked about the strategic cross-border project on flood risk management in Slovenia and Croatia.

At today's meeting, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and President Nataša Pirc Musar exchanged views on current foreign policy developments.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

At the government committee meetings, the Government adopted, among other things, a response to the Draft Recommendation on the state of play in the fight against corruption, approved some budgetary transfers and added a new project to the current Development Programme Plan 2024–2027.

Minister Tanja Fajon hosted the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, whom she has met on several occasions, most recently in Amman in November 2023. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and devoted a large part of their talks to the current situation in the Middle East.

Minister Tanja Fajon attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East and the Sahel. In the debate on the Middle East, ministers discussed the situation in Gaza, the EU's response to the announcement of the Israeli offensive on Rafah and the question of a political solution, and confirmed the establishment of the Eunavfor Aspides maritime security operation in the Red Sea.

At the invitation of the organisers of the Munich Security Conference, Prime Minister Robert Golob took part as a speaker in a panel called Spotlight on United Nations Security Council Reform.

On the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference, Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with Abdullah II of Jordan.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending the 60th Munich Security Conference today and tomorrow. Today he met with the Vice-President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres.

The guest of the 2nd episode of the GOVSI government podcast is Dr Janez Potočnik: during the preparations for Slovenia's accession to the EU, he was the head of the EU Accession Negotiating Group, then European Commissioner for two terms, and today he is a member and co-chair of the UN's International Panel on Resources. The discussion was moderated by Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communications Office.

At today's session, the Government adopted the Decree on the compulsory health insurance service programme for 2024, the relief programme for damage caused in primary agricultural production and the relief programme for damage caused to businesses in the floods of August 2023.

“The EU has allocated a lot of money to Slovenia for a healthy and clean environment under the European Cohesion Policy for the period 2021-2027. In total, almost 800 million euros is earmarked for the objective A greener, low-carbon Slovenia, with the Savinjsko- Šaleška region being eligible also for the funding under the Just Transition Fund,” said Minister Jevšek in his address at the international conference on green space management in Velenje.

Minister Tanja Fajon held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hanke Bruins Slot. Their talks focused on activities aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. They also exchanged views on current European and international issues.

Minister Tanja Fajon, representing one of 34 countries, signed the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and Other International Crimes. The Convention was adopted in Ljubljana in May 2023 after a decade of effort and hard work by Slovenian diplomats and international law experts.

On the last day of his visit to Slovenia, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited Slovenian Istria together with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Mateja Čalušić. They toured the InnoRenew CoE independent research institute and a farm engaged in wine-growing, olive-growing and complementary activities.

State Secretary Štiglic took part in the UN Security Council's high-level open debate in New York on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security. In her speech, she stressed the importance of timely detection of processes related to climate change and food security that could lead to conflict.

ector-Genreal of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations QU Dongyu visited Slovenia at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar. As part of his visit to Slovenia, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Mateja Čalušić will host the Director-General today and tomorrow. Today, they visited two farms in the vicinity of Ljubljana and the Municipality of Dol pri Ljubljani.

On February 12, 2024, a tourist presentation of Slovenia took place at the embassy of RS in Washington. The Luxury Slovenia company presented Slovenian tourism and opportunities for business cooperation in the tourism field to American travel agents in Washington.

The European Space Education Resource Office in Slovenia, ESERO Slovenia, was officially opened today at Center Noordung. ESERO Slovenia is run by the Centre for School and Outdoor Education (CŠOD) in partnership with Center Noordung. By integrating space technology content into primary and secondary education, we aim to increase young people's interest in science careers.

EU development ministers held an informal meeting in Brussels under the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council to discuss EU development cooperation for the coming years, human rights mainstreaming and the situation in Gaza. Edvin Skrt, Director-General for development cooperation, attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the opening ceremony of the new intensive care units at Jesenice General Hospital.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the President of the Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Vladimir Horvat, and its member, Emil Zakonjšek.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received her Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry for an official visit. The two officials spent a great deal of time discussing the current situation in the world, with a focus on the Middle East. The Slovenian-Egyptian Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation examined the possibilities for further strengthening cooperation.

A ceremony marking the official opening of a renovated research laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Maribor primarily dedicated to process and environmental engineering was attended by Dr Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development. The Minister underlined the importance of cooperation between educational institutions and the economic sector.

In these days when Italy commemorates the victims of the foibe and the exodus from Istria, Rijeka and Dalmatia, the Ministry reiterates the importance of comprehensive and respectful remembrance and dignity for all the victims of the tragic events of the 20th century war and post-war period. Every community keeps the memory of its painful experiences alive, but it must also ensure that this pain does not breed more resentment or fear.