News

At the Government committees’ sessions, the Government adopted the opinion on the proposal for a review of the constitutionality and legality of the Decree on setting prices for certain petroleum products and a position on the proposed EU regulation on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.

A trilateral meeting of the Ministers of the Interior of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, Davor Bozinović, Matteo Piantedosi and Boštjan Poklukar, took place in Buzet, Croatia. The ministers discussed current developments on the Western Balkan migration route, the strengthening of cooperation with the Western Balkan region and the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held political consultations with Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye in Ankara. The officials welcomed the extensive political dialogue and exchanged views on current foreign policy issues.

During his visit to Podgorica, State Secretary Marko Štucin met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Filip Ivanović, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević, and Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa. He held political consultations with Milisav Raspopović, State Secretary at the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The first governmental podcast, entitled “GOVSI podcast”, is being prepared by the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia (UKOM). This is a (video) podcast of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia by means of which we will broaden the conventional methods of informing and communicating with the public and thereby enhance the transparency of the Government’s operations.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia has appointed Mateja Čalušić as the new Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food on the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Robert Golob. Minister Čalušić has taken over from Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec who was temporarily put in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food on 13 October 2023.

On the basis of the Act on Aid to Ensure Enhanced Air Connectivity (hereinafter reffered as: the Act), a Public Tender for Enhanced Air Connectivity of Slovenia was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and the Official Journal of the European Union on 12. 1. 2024. In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 10 of the Act, the tender documentation is publicly published, however, the English translation is merely an information aid for foreign air carriers when preparing applications for aid.

The application for aid and Annexes must be submitted in Slovene language. Submission deadline is 12. 2. 2024 at 23.59

Minister Tanja Fajon hosted Dr Constantinos Kombos, Foreign Minister of Cyprus, during his official visit to Slovenia. As like-minded, Mediterranean and economically comparable countries, Slovenia and Cyprus are natural allies and members of the Union for the Mediterranean and the MED-9, an informal group of nine Mediterranean countries. The two ministers addressed the settlement of the Cyprus issue and the current situation in the Middle East and Yemen.

On the margins of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in October 2022, the Republic of Slovenia, together with 14 other countries, signed a Letter of Intent to join the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), initiated by the Federal Republic of Germany and involving 19 European countries as of July 2023.

At today's session, the Government adopted the draft Act on the Implementation of the EU Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services, and a Resolution on Slovenia's participation in the procedure for rendering an Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs proposed to the Government that Slovenia participate in the ICJ proceedings initiated by the UN General Assembly in 2022 concerning Israel's allegedly controversial activities in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which the Government approved. Minister Fajon stressed that the alleged violations in question cover a broad spectrum and have been taking place in the region for decades, going beyond the recent conflict.

The Joint Committee Slovenia - Styria, which meets once a year in plenary session, held its sixth meeting in Celje. It was co-chaired by Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, and Christopher Drexler, Governor of Styria. In a joint statement, the two sides welcomed the initiative of the Slovenian minority to establish a "House of Cooperation" in Graz.

At the Government committee meetings, the Government adopted, among other things, an opinion on the proposal to temporarily suspend the implementation of parts of the Act on status transformation of Vzajemna health insurance company d.v.z., gave its consent to the 2024–2025 Business Plan of ARAO – the Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, and adopted a number of responses to decisions of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia and its commissions.

On Monday, 8 January 2024, the Government appointed the Government negotiation team for the negotiation of the strike demands of the Union of Doctors and Dentists of Slovenia – Fides, and today invited it to start negotiations on a solution to the strike demands.

The European Commission has announced the New European Bauhaus Academy (NEBA), a pan-European consortium led by the University of Primorska and based at InnoRenew CoE, as the winner of the call for proposals for the establishment of a New European Bauhaus (NEB) Academy.

During her visit to Paris, Minister Tanja Fajon and Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries and concluded a new Strategic Partnership Action Plan. Minister Fajon stressed that Slovenia will strive to overcome differences in the UN Security Council and actively seek opportunities to promote its priorities.

We would like to inform that the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana on January 2024 will be moving to the new premises with mailing address Rruga ˝Skënderbej˝, nr. 21/1, Tirana

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, today attended the traditional award ceremony for the personality of the year campaign "SHE or HE 2023 – Act of the Year".

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the memorial service in Paris to mourn the death of former President of the European Commission Jacques Delors. The ceremony was also attended by the president of the first Slovenian Government, Lojze Peterle.

Prime Minister Golob met today with Beti Hohler, judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. They discussed the role of the International Criminal Court and the challenges it faces in its work.

On Wednesday, 3 January 2024, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), successfully accessed the international capital markets with a EUR 1.5bn long 10-year Reg S issuance due 10 March 2034. This transaction marks the first sovereign EUR-denominated transaction of 2024 benefitting from start of year investor liquidity.

The Republic of Slovenia - EUR 10-year mandate

On May 1, 2024, Slovenia will mark the 20th anniversary of its accession to the European Union, coinciding with the largest EU enlargement in history. In collaboration with institutions such as the National Assembly, the Office of the President of the Republic, and the representations of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Slovenia, the government has curated a comprehensive program of activities.

We begin our membership of the UN Security Council in a period full of complex challenges for the international community. This will make it all the more important that, as we have done in the past, we work for balanced international relations and for the protection of the most vulnerable.

On 1 January 2024, Slovenia becomes a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the second time in its history. Following its successful election by an overwhelming majority of 153 votes, and after three months as an observer, Slovenia will participate in decisions to maintain international peace and security during the 2024–2025 term. It will act in an inclusive and responsible manner, committed to the principles of the UN Charter, international law and human rights.

Message from Prime Minister Robert Golob for the New Year.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana will be closed on Monday 1 January and Tuesday 2 January (New Year).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food has issued an open call to citizens, legal persons or other organisations for the identification of candidates for the 2024 Golden Bee Award. The call is open till 15th March 2024 and applications from Slovenia and abroad are expected. The subject of the call are projects or achievements in promotion of bees and other pollinators in the past seven years (i.e. in the period 2016–2023).

Slovenia has received EUR 536 million in response to its second request for the payment of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Reducing flood risk in the Vipava River basin – stage one.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the operation Strengthening cooperation between the employment offices, the social work centres and other stakeholders in the integration in the labour market of the long-term unemployed.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran will be closed on 25 December 2023, Christmas Day, as well as on 26 December 2023, Slovenia's Independence and Unity Day.

Christmas and New Year greetings from Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs:

The most magical time of the year is before us. A time spent in anticipation of Christmas and the beginning of the following year. A time that we would look forward to as children and still do today, as adults.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Robert Golob, delivered a solemn address at the ceremony on the occasion of Independence and Unity Day.

"I am pleased that today we signed a contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), which will provide sufficient resources for the provision of this public service in 2024," said Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office, at the signing ceremony.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 25 December on Christmas and on 26 December on the Day of Independence and Unity of Slovenia.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, hosted today a holiday reception for the relatives of the fallen soldiers of the Slovenian War of Independence, the defence and security structures of the Republic of Slovenia and representatives of veterans' organisations.

The political deal on migration and asylum that was reached after several years of negotiations marks an important step in the formulation of European Union's (EU) migration and asylum policy. It also sends a strong signal on EU's capacity to agree on a common solution in an area as complex as migration management.

The Government has defined the legal bases allowing the payment of suitable compensation to insurance companies, adopted the proposed new amendments to the Road Transport Act and the proposed new amendments to the Spatial Planning Act, and concluded a contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The Government of Slovenia signaled its intention to accede to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Announced during the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-convened Global Refugee Forum previous week in Geneva, the accession reconfirms Slovenia’s commitment to human rights and solidarity, including the right to nationality.

A ceremony marking the arrival of the first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft was held today at the Cerklje ob Krki airfield.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project On-the-job training.

On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day. The aim of the initiative is to further raise awareness among the international public regarding the importance of bee preservation and to remind everyone that we heavily depend on bees and other pollinators. They are invaluable in economic, social and environmental terms.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the strategic project Centre for Demonstration and Training in Zero Carbon Technologies. ''This project is identified in the Territorial Just Transition Plan for the Zasavje coal region as one of the flagship projects of the Just Transition Fund with the objective of investing in growth and jobs,'' said Minister Jevšek.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024.

At today's 27th annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats, Prime Minister Robert Golob addressed the heads of diplomatic and consular missions.

The traditional Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats in Brdo pri Kranju is taking place against the background of Slovenia's preparations for membership of the United Nations Security Council. The diplomats discussed current foreign policy issues, focusing on support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The participants in the event, chaired by Minister Tanja Fajon, were addressed by the country's highest representatives.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Raising awareness, communicating with different audiences, and encouraging greater involvement in lifelong learning.

The temporary border controls on Slovenia’s internal borders with Croatia and Hungary will continue for another six months, from 22 December 2023 until 22 June 2024. The internal border checks are being extended under Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code.