News

Below is the message by Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob on Slovenian Culture Day.

In today’s press statement, the Minister for Solidarity-Based Future, Simon Maljevac, presented a detailed analysis of the situation and outlined the ministry’s plans in the housing sector.

Minister Irena Šinko participated via video link in a conference entitled "Which sustainable livestock farming and meat consumption systems should the European Union promote and preserve by 2050" at the invitation of the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Marc Fesneau.

An informal meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council was held today in Stockholm. At the opening session, ministers discussed the measures needed to improve the competitiveness of the European economy for an effective green transition. They endorsed the European Commission’s communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan, which aims to provide targeted support to accelerate the decarbonisation of European industry, and thus European economic leadership in the new technologies and industries of the future.

Slovenia will award one scholarship for nationals of Nepal for master degree programme in Slovenia for the academic year 2023/2024.

On February 5 we celebrated Prešeren Day in Cleveland. February 8 marks the anniversary of death of France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, who died in 1849. This presentation featured Slovenian literature, poetry, and music.

The Republic of Türkiye requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 that struck on 6 February at 2:17 European time, followed by a number of aftershocks. A total of 10 provinces were affected, and according to media reports, the number of dead, injured and missing people is rising rapidly, with an estimated 5 million people living within a 5km radius of the earthquake's epicentre.

At today's correspondence session, the Government decided that Slovenia will send experts to Türkiye to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations following the catastrophic earthquake.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today sent a proposal for a new Minister of the Interior to the National Assembly, nominating Boštjan Poklukar as the candidate.

Today, on the basis of correspondence on the Green Deal Industrial Plan, Matjaž Han, Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, and Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition and Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, met by video call. The topic of discussion were the specific issues Slovenia is facing first due to the healthcare crisis and then the energy crisis.

Today, the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Luka Mesec, responded to the current issue of kindergarten prices. The Minister personally supports the idea of free kindergartens, but stresses that such a measure would require an additional €200 million.

Safer Internet Day is celebrated on 7 February. This year, the focus in Slovenia is on the issue of inappropriate online content. Children are among the most at-risk users of the internet, mainly because of their youth, inexperience, curiosity and naivety.

At the invitation of the Hungarian Minister of Defence, Kristóf Szalay Bobrovnický, Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec paid a two-day official visit to Budapest. The two ministers called for further strengthening of cooperation in the defence and military fields.

The Government laid down the text of the proposed Act Amending the Administrative Dispute Act and withdrew the proposed Act on the temporary bonus for judges and state prosecutors from the legislative procedure.

State Secretary Dr Branko Lobnikar attended a ministerial conference in Sofia to discuss measures for more effective management of the external borders of the European Union.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted the fourth meeting of coalition deputies and the government team at Brdo pri Kranju. The coalition continued the discussion of the Government’s priority tasks and starting points for this year’s reforms. The meeting focused on the reform of the public sector salary system and the housing policy. The two objectives are that no salaries in the public sector are to be below the minimum wage and the housing stock should be more affordable for all social groups.

At today's correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the proposed amendments to the Act amending the State Administration Act, which, in addition to a more precise delimitation of the subject areas, tasks and system competences of ministries (in accordance with the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Act), also propose the possibility of transferring local competences from one administrative unit to another administrative unit in the event of a large number of cases that cannot be resolved within a reasonable time by the locally competent administrative unit.

The Planica Nordic Centre hosted the Business-to-Diplomacy event entitled “Planica”, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ski Association of Slovenia. The event was attended by around 40 foreign ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Slovenia, both resident and non-resident, and representatives of Slovenian companies and institutions from the sports sector.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with João Gomes Cravinho, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, before the coalition summit. Their talks focused on the key topics of the agenda of the European Union. The Portuguese foreign minister expressed his country’s full support for Slovenia’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

This year's World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on 2 February, is being celebrated under the slogan: “It’s Time for Wetland Restoration!”

The purpose of the two-day visit is to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, with an emphasis on establishing concrete forms of cooperation in the field of defence. In the light of the latter, the two ministers signed an Agreement on cooperation in the field of defence, which will serve as the basis for the preparation of a further programme.

The Strategic Council for Nutrition met today at its second meeting. The members of the council set the starting points for further work in the field of food price comparison and the reform of the student food voucher system. Due to the extensive discussion, the agenda items relating to the presentation of Slovenia’s current national nutritional guidelines and the presentation of the Nordic guidelines were moved to the next meeting.

On 18 January 2023, Ambassador Barbara Sušnik presented her Letters of Credence to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The Ministry of Justice today sent for coordination the draft Act on the regulation of certain issues related to offences committed during the period of the COVID-19 measures.

In the Republic of Slovenia, pursuant to Article 68 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, foreigners may acquire the right of ownership of immovable property under the conditions laid down by law or by an international treaty ratified by the National Assembly.

Today, Secretary of State Marko Štucin held talks at the Vatican with the Undersecretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of the Holy See, Msgr. Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski.

At sessions of government committees, the Government gave its consent to proposed amendments to the Act Amending the Agriculture Act and carried out certain transfers of appropriations.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Dr João Gomes Cravinho, for an official visit. The two counterparts advocated the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between their respective countries, underlining the need for enhanced partnership between the European Union and the Mediterranean countries.

When sports came under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the basis was created to seek increased synergies between these three fields. The newly appointed Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sports, Matjaž Han, and his partners presented plans in the field of tourism and sports for the current year and highlighted the key measures.

State Secretary Marko Štucin paid a working visit to Rome today to meet with the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele Fitto, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, and the Undersecretary of State to the Ministry of the Interior, Wanda Ferro.

Minister Irena Šinko participated in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting. This was the first meeting taking place under the Swedish Presidency, so the programme of the Presidency for the following half year was presented in the beginning. With the support of 19 Member States, Slovenia presented the initiative to revise Council Directive on honey, in the part referring to provenance designation of honey mixtures.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today first met with the President of the National Council, Marko Lotrič.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, hosted their first reception for the Diplomatic Corps at the beginning of the year.

On 31 January 2023, the Act Amending the Family Code will enter into force, amending the definitions of marriage and cohabitation for opposite-sex and same-sex partners. The Act defines marriage as a life union of two persons and no longer as a life union of husband and wife.

The Strategic Health Council, an advisory body to the Prime Minister, met for its inaugural meeting today.

In 2005, the UN General Assembly in New York declared 27 January International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, the world commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp and the millions of victims of World War II, including those who died in concentration camps.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno.

The Minister of Public Administration in the capacity of Minister of the Interior, Sanja Ajanović Hovnik, is attending the informal meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Stockholm.

At today's session, the Government adopted amendments to the laws governing the state administration, scientific research and innovation and the Slovenian Armed Forces. It also amended the Decree on setting natural gas prices from the system and approved the text of its contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The 26th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomacy, which took place at Brdo pri Kranju on 25 and 26 January and was attended by 55 heads of Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts, including a number of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, outlined the new guidelines for Slovenia's foreign policy strategy.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon received Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares Bueno, who was on an official visit and also participated as the guest of honour at the 26th Consultations of Slovenian Diplomacy. They discussed bilateral relations and the feminist foreign policy that Spain is promoting as a foreign policy concept.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, attended the 26th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju and addressed the heads of diplomatic and consular missions. He highlighted Slovenia's foreign policy priorities and called for unity in re-establishing Slovenia as a full-fledged country of core Europe. We must turn our foreign policy focus towards the world.

The Nutrition Institute has announced the most innovative foods of 2023, introduced to the market in the last year.

Today’s taking of the oath by ministers in the National Assembly marks the beginning of a new era in the government term of Dr Robert Golob. The establishment of an efficient organisational structure of ministries will ensure better operability and more successful implementation of the Government’s tasks on the basis of the commitments from the Coalition Agreement.

At today’s session, the Government appointed several state secretaries at the newly established ministries.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the third meeting of mayors traditionally organised by the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia.

Slovenian parliament has confirmed nine new ministers, completing the government reshuffle. As part of the reshuffle, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has been transformed into the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. The new ministry will also be responsible for the policy area of regional development. It will be headed by Dr Aleksander Jevšek, who has been sworn in as Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development.

With the confirmation of the reorganisation of the Government, the name of the ministry of the economy is changing today, and this ministry will also be responsible for sport. The new Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport will continue to be led by Minister Matjaž Han.

At today's correspondence session, the Government adopted decrees on the pricing of heat from district heating and on subsidies for the purchase of wood pellets.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, which focused on the war in Ukraine. Ministers also met with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh, and heard a report from Minister Fajon on her joint visit to Montenegro with Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia took note of the Annex to the Collective Agreement for the Education Sector in the Republic of Slovenia and the Annex to the Collective Agreement for Research Activities.

The fifth International Day of Education will be celebrated on 24 January, this year under the theme “to invest in people, prioritise education”. This is essential if we want to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

Minister Irena Šinko participated in the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) – the 15th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, titled: “Food Systems Transformation: A Worldwide Response to Multiple Crises”. The Agriculture Ministers’ Conference is attended by over 70 Ministerial Delegations from around the Globe, and representatives of the European Commission, the African Union, agricultural institutions and associations, and other international organisations. The event takes place within the International Green Week (IGW) that was opened for visitors on 20 January.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob, together with Minister of Economic Development and Technology Matjaž Han and Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič, visited the company Hella Saturnus Slovenija, where they were acquainted with the production, investments and new trends in the automotive industry.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ms. Irena Šinko, participated in the official opening ceremony of the Berlin International Green Week (IGW), taking place from 19 to 29 January 2023. At the trade fair, Slovenia is presented as a green and ecological country (ecological + local = ideal).

Minister of Health Danijel Bešič Loredan presented the document “Overview of the situation in Slovenian healthcare”.

From 18 to 20 January 2023, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the 53rd World Economic Forum in Davos, a meeting point for leaders, civil society representatives and top-performing business people.

Last year’s Horizon Europe call for Marie Sklodowska Curie COFUND projects (MSCA COFUND) was one of the most successful calls so far for Slovenian applicants.

The results of the 10th survey of the basic food basket were published on the “Our Superfood” website on 17 January 2023. The results of the analysis show that the price of the average cheapest basket of 15 basic foods is currently at its lowest since monitoring started. Furthermore, a comparison of price trends over the last two weeks shows a decrease in meat prices.

A special ceremony was held at the National Gallery of Slovenia this evening to mark the adoption of Slovenia's Cohesion Policy Programme for the period 2021-2027. Minister for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, head of the government office that was responsible for the preparation and coordination of the programme thanked all Slovenian partners and the European Commission for the excellent work done, underlining that the efficient and effective implementation of the programme now fell on the shoulders of all stakeholders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised an international event entitled Humanitarian crisis, protection of critical infrastructure and the environment during armed conflicts and in relation to peacebuilding measures: Legal challenges of the 21st century, which was aimed at seeking solutions that could contribute to enhancing respect for international humanitarian law in practice. This is particularly relevant in the light of the war in Ukraine and the Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in the country.

On the occasion of the special ceremony marking the adoption of Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027, a delegation from the European Commission, led by Ms Sofia Alves, the Director at the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, visited Slovenia. The European Commission delegation and the representatives of the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, led by its State Secretary mag. Marko Koprivc, visited the Savinjsko-šaleška region.

On 19 January 2023, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Strategy for the Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia with the OECD until the end of 2025.

At today's session the Government adopted the Decree on compulsory health insurance service programmes, the capacities required for their implementation and the volume of funds for 2023. It also confirmed the final estimate of the direct damage to property caused by the floods of last September.

From January 17 to January 19, the Slovenian State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Samuel Žbogar, was in China for political consultations. On January 18, the state secretary Žbogar visited MOFCOM and had a courtesy meeting with the Deputy Minister of Commerce Mr. Ling Ji. This was followed on January 19, 2023 by had political consultations between the Slovenian State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Žbogar and Deng Li, the Vice Foreign Minister in Beijing. The state secretary Žbogar also met with representatives of the Slovenian business community in Shanghai and Beijing.

Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted the third meeting of the government ministers with coalition MPs in Brdo pri Kranju. This time, the meeting was entirely devoted to healthcare reform.

Today, the Government Working Group to prepare the Migration Strategy, which was established by a Government Decision in October 2022, met for the first time at the Ministry of the Interior.

The second Business Forum was held today in Ljubljana, bringing Slovenian and Italian companies together to explore opportunities for cooperation in the space sector. It was preceded by a bilateral meeting between Minister Matjaž Han and the President of the Italian Space Agency, Giorgio Saccoccia.

At the Interreg Programme Slovenia-Austria 2021-2027 workshop, which took place in Ptuj, State Secretary at the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy mag. Marko Koprivc underlined the relevance of cross-border programmes that “build trust between the neighbouring partners”.

On 16 January, a photographic exhibition was opened in the Park of Military History in Pivka and placed on large billboards in front of the administration building. The 38 photographs selected by different authors will be on display until September.

The Government has amended the Decree determining the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity, with which it changes the excise duty on automotive gas oil and for heating gas oil.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited the Celje General Hospital and attended the opening ceremony for a new building with heliport.

The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning was the first institution in Europe to carry out the demanding task of the environmental impact assessment for the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK). The environmental consent for the extension of the life span of the NEK for an additional 20 years (until 2043) was issued on 13 January 2023 and is currently being served to all parties and accessory participants and to the participating countries.

On her first official visit to Pristina, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz. The meeting was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, with a focus on economic cooperation, the situation in the country and discussion on Kosovo's European perspective.

Prime Minister Robert Golob took part in the National Assembly in a debate called For a Better Future of Animals, which looked to create solutions to improve animal protection and welfare.

During her working visit to Sarajevo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Bisera Turković, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, and Presidency members Željko Komšić and Dr Denis Bećirović. This was also the first political visit from Slovenia since BiH was granted candidate status.

On Friday, 13 January 2023, the first session of the Expert council for sustainable development of public administration was held. It is a consultative body bringing together top experts from the private and public sectors to help bring about the changes that public administrations urgently need in their development path.

Today, the interministerial working group for healthcare started its work, which is being coordinated directly by the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 1.19 million in EU funding for the call for proposals REACT-EU: Information and communication technology for higher education institutions implementing pedagogical study programmes II.

The healthcare digitisation strategy in Slovenia for the 2022–2027 period was presented in the Congress Centre at Brdo pri Kranju.

The Prime Minister Robert Golob and the President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar met today for their first working lunch. Both recognise the importance of open and regular dialogue for enhanced future cooperation between the institutions. Direct and continuous dialogue between the highest-ranking state officials can contribute to finding solutions for a better future and solidify the true position of politics in society. They committed themselves to constructive cooperation both in domestic affairs and in the coordination of international activities for the benefit of the Republic of Slovenia.

At today’s session, the Government became acquainted with the initialled agreement on resolving the strike demands of FIDES and authorised the Minister of Health to sign the agreement. It also adopted the proposed amendments to the Act determining aid to the economy to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis and the proposed Act on the aid to provide greater air connectivity.

A meeting with the representatives of the network of NGOs, the Voice of the People, took place at the Prime Minister's Office today.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob received the representatives of the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference at the Podrožnik Villa.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob attended the session of the Judicial Council of the Republic of Slovenia and the extraordinary session of the annual general meeting of the Slovenian Association of Judges.

The Strategic Council for Nutrition, an advisory body to the Prime Minister, met today at its constitutive session. Its key task is to draft proposals of measures for affordable, safe and high-quality food which will have a minimum negative impact on human health, the environment and climate. The Council will also prepare proposals and expert guidelines for the update of national dietary guidelines, food waste reduction, raising awareness among the public about the need to change dietary habits due to health, environmental and climate aspects, and implement other tasks.

CMEPIUS (Center Republike Slovenije za mobilnost in evropske programe izobraževanja in usposabljanja) has opened the applications for study programmes in Slovenia for the year 2023/24.

According to preliminary data, the state budget recorded approximately EUR 12.3 billion in revenue in 2022, an increase of just under EUR 1.2 billion, or 10.5%, compared to 2021. Expenditure reached around EUR 13.7 billion, down by EUR 544 million or 3.8% compared to the previous year, while the state budget deficit was just under EUR 1.4 billion.

Today, State Secretary Samuel Žbogar hosted Sanjay Verma, Secretary for the West of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, in Ljubljana for political consultations. The two officials reviewed the key areas of bilateral cooperation and went on to exchange views on the topical regional and global themes.

At the start of the year, Slovenia became a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2023–2025 period. This is Slovenia's first membership of this UN body, which coordinates the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

The results of the ninth inventory of basic food products made on 3 January 2023 are published on the “Our Superfood” website. The analyses of the inventory reveal a minimal reduction in the basic food basket and in the fruit and vegetables basket. However, a comparison of price trends over the last two weeks reveals concrete price increases for meat.

For the past 18 years, Igor Grlicarev has been the head of the International Cooperation Service at SNSA. In this role, he has combined his professional knowledge, vast practical experiences, and various personal connections at home and abroad in communication with international and domestic experts.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Irena Šinko, and the Minister of Digital Transformation, Dr. Emilija Stojmenova Duh, met today at the second meeting with students and mentors from four faculties. They presented the progress in the project entitled The Possibilities for Digitalising Farms with Young Owners, for which the research phase has concluded.

The Government adopted a decision on the implementation of the national spatial plan for the Dolenja Vas wind farm and approved the calendar of state celebrations in 2023. It also decided to organise a funeral with military honours for Janez Zemljarič.

The FIS Planica World Championships 2023 is the biggest sporting event ever held in Slovenia. Planica, Kranjska Gora and Slovenia will be presented to more than 500 million TV viewers worldwide. For two weeks, Slovenia will become the centre of world sport and a synonym for courage, innovation and development.

Six Ambassadors-at-Large, two of whom are women, namely for the future of Europe, the insitutional EU matters, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Western Balkans, climate diplomacy and water diplomacy have been appointed by Foreign Minister Fajon. Through these appointments, the Minister aims to ensure visibility and active engagement in some of the priority areas of Slovenia's foreign policy.

On Wednesday, 4th January 2023, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) /AA- (stable) /A (stable), successfully entered the markets with a EUR 1.25bn 10-year Reg S Sustainable bond alongside a EUR 250mm tap of the outstanding 3.125 percent bonds due 7 August 2045. This landmark transaction, which included the second and largest Sustainable bond out by Slovenia, makes the Republic of Slovenia the first Sovereign in the region to enter the markets in 2023.

The Republic of Slovenia (the Issuer), rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Erste Group, Nova KBM and UniCredit as Joint Lead Managers to arrange a Global Investor Call and a series of investor meetings to present the Issuer’s updated Sustainability Bond Framework. BNP Paribas acted as sole sustainability structuring advisor.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended an event to mark Croatia joining the Schengen area and the eurozone at the Obrežje/Bregana border crossing point, which was hosted by Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković.

Neighbouring country Croatia joins Schengen on 1 January 2023. Minister of Public Administration and Acting Minister of the Interior Sanja Ajanović Hovnik and Acting Director General of the Police Boštjan Lindav have attended the Schengen joining celebration at the Obrežje–Bregana border crossing point.