News

The World Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo 2022 (the "WWSE"), co-hosted by Asia Digital Group, took place from 1 to 12 September 2022 in Beijing. Slovenian brands including Slatnar, Elan, and Alpina were presented at the Expo.

The 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council opens today in Geneva. Slovenia will actively participate in the discussions and negotiations on the initiatives and will also table a resolution on a global agenda for human rights education on behalf of its regional group. Together with Argentina and Brazil, Slovenia will also propose extending the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

Ms. Tina Vodnik, Chargé d'affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, met with Mr Ichiro Aisawa,
Chairman of Japan-Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Japanese Parliament, on 8 September 2022.
The meeting took place in the context of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Japan, which the two countries are celebrating this year.

Today, State Secretary Dr Branko Lobnikar received the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Ilkka Salmi, who is visiting Slovenia as part of his working visits to EU member states after taking up his post on 1 October 2021.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon addressed the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the joint ministerial presentation of the achievements of the 100 days of government of Robert Golob. She outlined the Government's achievements in the field of foreign policy and the plans for the future of Slovenian diplomacy.

Upon the entry into office of government, the circumstances at home and abroad indicated that it would be illusory to expect a hundred days of peace. We greeted the victory at elections prepared: our priorities were clear; therefore, we rolled up our sleeves without a moment’s delay. We are realising our goals announced before the elections on a daily basis: strengthening the welfare state, public health, providing assistance to the population and the economy in the uncertain times of the energy and food crisis. Care for the individual is at the forefront of all our decisions.

At today’s regular session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia confirmed the draft revised national budget for this year. It also adopted the amendments to the Notariat Act, the Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act and the Attorneys Act, and became acquainted with the analysis of legal bases used in minor offence proceedings against individuals due to the violation of COVID-19 measures.

Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, is continuing his meetings with businesspeople. At the head office of the company, Iskra Mehanizmi, he and the ministerial team met with the largest suppliers of the Slovenian automotive industry combined in the GREMO Mission (GREen MObility).

3 September 2020 would go down in Slovenian history as the day Slovenia joined the list of countries that have their own satellites in the Earth’s orbit. At 03.51 (GMT + 2), the first two Slovenian satellites – Trisat and Nemo HD – flew into space aboard a Vega VV16 rocket from French Guiana.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon took part in the Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo. In her opening address, she underlined the importance of cooperation and dialogue when facing key global challenges and went on to present to the ministers her vision for Slovenia's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2024–2025 term. She also held a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the event.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the first regional Business-to-Diplomacy (B2D) NET 0 event in Maribor, focusing on the achievement of zero emission targets. In his opening address, he said that Slovenia is one of the most proactive countries at the international level, advocating an ambitious environmental agenda and a coordinated multilateral approach.

State Secretary Marko Štucin took part in the conference in Brdo pri Kranju to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ljubljana Guidelines of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). “The guidelines addressing the new global trends of growing inequalities are as relevant today as they were ten years ago,” the state secretary emphasised in his address.

To coincide with the Volleyball Men's World Championship, the Government Communication Office prepared a campaign to promote Slovenia as a country of top athletes and sporting achievements.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended a discussion organised by the Ministry of Health together with public healthcare institutions on the subject of measures to stabilise the healthcare system, and to curb the spreading and mitigate the consequences of the Covid-19 epidemic on the healthcare system.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and the ministers for the economy, infrastructure and finance attended a meeting with businesspeople, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the ceremony marking the second anniversary of the launching of the NEMO-HD satellite.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Slovenian Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, visited Paris today.

At today's meeting, the Republic of Slovenia adopted the proposal for the Energy Supply Crisis Management Act and Proposed Amendment to the Gas Supply Act.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Mr Danijel Bešič Loredan was on a working visit to Finland on 29 and 30 August 2022. At a core of his discussions was the Finnish healthcare reform, legislation and system solutions in healthcare, as well as digitalisation of the Finnish healthcare system. On this occasion, Minister Bešič Loredan met with his host, Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Mr Aki Lindén.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers (Gymnich) in Prague which focused mainly on the proposal to suspend EU visas for Russian citizens in response to the Russia’s aggression on Ukraine. The foreign ministers supported the full suspension of the agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of visa procedures for Russian citizens.

Ahead of Sunday's Volleyball World Championship match in the group stage between Slovenia and France, a variety of sports challenges were set up in the fan zone in front of the Stožice Arena on Sunday, 28 August, presenting the story of Slovenia's athletic history through these activities.

Starting from 1 September 2022, Moroccan citizens and long term residents can apply for a Schengen visa (short term visa type C) to visit Slovenia at the Embassy of Hungary in Rabat.

State Secretary Marko Štucin spoke at one of the panels on the future of the EU at the 17th Bled Strategic Forum, highlighting the need to further strengthen the Union’s resilience in the light of current challenges and advocating for a stable and secure EU based on shared values.

The 17th Bled Strategic Forum, the main multilateral event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reached its conclusion today. The Forum brought together 2,000 participants, more than 160 panellists and speakers from around the world, four heads of State and government, 15 foreign ministers, the President of the European Commission and other high-level representatives of European and international institutions, as well as representatives of business, academia and civil society.

On the margins of the 17th Bled Strategic Forum, which takes place on 29 and 30 August 2022, Prime Minister Robert Golob hosted a working lunch with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who is also the keynote speaker of this year's Forum.

The 17th Bled Strategic Forum, entitled "The Rule of Power or the Power of Rules?", opened today with addresses by its host, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tanja Fajon, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The discussions at this year's Forum will centre on the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the crisis of multilateralism, climate change and the green agenda, and digitisation and the fight against disinformation.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar met with US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison and Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar responsible for the Western Balkans.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, on the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum. This was their first bilateral meeting.

Today, Minister of the Interior mag. Tatjana Bobnar met with her Croatian counterpart, Dr Davor Božinović, in Brežice.

Slovenia attended the 5th session of the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, where the participating countries made remarkable progress in most chapters of the prospective agreement.

Today we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Türkiye.

Slovenia will host the Volleyball Men’s World Championship between 26 August and 7 September. This is the public and prestigious volley competition in the world.

At the 60th AGRA International Agricultural and Food Fair in Gornja Radgona, the Directorate for Economic and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-organised a business event in cooperation with Pomurski sejem d. o. o. and the Regional Development Agency for Podravje – Maribor.

Sinfo, a promotional magazine in English, published by the Government Communication Office, brings news on culture, sports, science, the economy and tourism. The latest Sinfo issue presents the key priorities of the government, and inter alia, highlights the Men's Volleyball World Championship.

At the invitation of Austrian Federal Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the European Forum Alpbach, which is taking place in Tyrol under the title New Europe.

On 22 and 23 August 2022, Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration, in cooperation with international partners, hosted a summer cybersecurity event entitled “US^3 Nuclear Cyber Best Practices Exchange”.

The focus of this year's Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), which will be held between 29 and 30 August under the title 'The rule of power or the power of rules', will be the discussions about the repercussions of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the crisis of multilateralism. Parallel to the main event, the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF) will also take place from 26 to 29 August in Ljubljana and Bled.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a village to support a person in a humanitarian crisis.” is the slogan of this year’s World Humanitarian Day, which is being observed today. Given the scale of humanitarian crises around the world, World Humanitarian Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of collective efforts to help people affected by humanitarian crises.

At its today's meeting, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Proposed Act Governing Aid to Businesses Hit by High Increases in Electricity and Natural Gas Prices. They discussed the proposed Act Governing Temporary Measures to Remedy the Consequences of Price Increases for the Most Vulnerable Groups of the Population and approved the measures covered by the Act, which, however, will be finally adopted at tomorrow's correspondence meeting. The Government today also agreed the Proposed Amendment to the Protection against Natural and Other Disasters Act.

Below is the message by Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob on the Day of the Unification of Prekmurje Slovenes with the Mother Nation.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Slovenia in New York is looking for an administrative assistant for a period of 1 year (with a possible extension), beginning in October 2022.

Accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Irena Šinko and the Minister of Public Administration Sanja Ajanović Hovnik, Prime Minister Robert Golob has paid a second working visit in Slovenia. Ahead of the Day of the Reunification of Prekmurje Slovenians with the Homeland, he visited Pomurje – the region of growth and opportunities. The region is distinguished by its strategic position at the crossroads of European road links, access to geothermal energy, investment potential and a rich natural and cultural heritage.

Slovenia is participating in the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Prime Minister Rober Golob visited the Slovenian National Theatre (SNG) Drama Ljubljana in the company of the Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko. They discussed the building renovation project and the activities needed to implement it with the theatre's director, Vesna Jurca Tadel.

As per Directive (EU) 2015/1535, Slovenia (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food) submitted for notification to the European Commission a draft of the Rules on the Quality of Vinegar and Diluted Acetic Acid on 2 December 2020. The new draft rules were prepared due to a minor amendment referring to the vinegar standardisation. The purpose of notification (public discussion) of the technical legislation being drafted is to prevent trade obstacles in the EU territory.

In its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), which was endorsed by the Council of the EU at the end of July 2021, the Republic of Slovenia specified EUR 705 million in loans for recovery and resilience-building measures in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the purpose of implementing these investments, the European Union and the Republic of Slovenia concluded a loan agreement at the beginning of June 2022, setting out the terms and conditions for the implementation of these funds. The signed agreement is the basis for the disbursement of refundable funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

At its meeting by correspondence on 11 August 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia decided that Dragan Barbutovski is to be dismissed from the position of Acting Director of the Government Communication Office as of 16 August 2022 and Petra Bezjak Cirman appointed as Acting Director of the Government Communication Office as of 17 August 2022.

Prime Minister Robert Golob continues his discussions with the civil society. In order to enhance an intergenerational solidarity based on social integration between generations and the exchange of different types of support, he met with the representatives of the youth and the elderly for the first time.

For the first time, Slovenia will co-host the Volleyball Men’s World Championship, which is to take place between 26 August and 11 September. On the occasion of this unique opportunity to increase Slovenia’s global visibility as a green destination for top sporting events, the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) and the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) are preparing numerous promotional and accompanying activities.

This year's fourth edition of Rural Inspiration Awards taking place under the slogan The Future is Youth is organised by the European Commission together with the European Network for Rural Development. The aim of the competition is to raise the visibility of the rural development policy and the contribution of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to the long-term vision for rural areas, and to promote the exchange of views and networking between interested stakeholders in rural areas. Slovenia submitted eight projects for the European selection.