News

On Monday, 27th of June we switch to summer opening times.

Acting Director-General Ksenija Škrilec took part in an informal meeting of directors-general for EU Affairs in Paris hosted by France as the current Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

At today’s press conference following the Government session, Prime Minister Robert Golob outlined the first step in a strategy to tackle soaring food and energy costs. The Government discussed measures relating to oil and petroleum products.

Today, diplomats and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the late Boris Pahor. Many had the honour to meet and work with Mr Pahor in Slovenia, abroad and in European capitals. He presented and shared his testimonies in cooperation with the entire diplomatic network and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is why, as of today, one of the conference rooms at the Ministry will bear his name.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon hosted the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Minister of Immigration and Asylum of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn. Their talks focused on enhancing the excellent and friendly relations between the two countries, strengthening cooperation between the core countries of the EU, enlargement to the Western Balkan countries and the European perspective of Ukraine.

At today’s session of the Government Committee for State Organisation and Public Affairs, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia opened a new budget item with the budget user, the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, for the payment of redeemed digital vouchers, to which funds in the amount of EUR 28.8 million will be transferred from the financial plan of the Government Office for Digital Transformation.

The Roadpol Operation “Truck & Bus” taking place between 13th and 19th of June 2022: Inspections on European roads. In the framework of the "Truck & Bus Action Weeks: inspections on European roads” and in cooperation with European Labour Authority, on the 13th of June in Vicenza, Italy organized a road transport inspection with road checks in the highway A4 Torino-Trieste (exit Vicenza Ovest), with the participation of Slovenia.

Today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, paid a working visit to Maribor with the Minister of Digital Transformation, Emilija Stojmenova Duh, and the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Irena Šinko.

At today’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Slovenia was represented by Deputy Permanent Representative in Brussels Tamara Weingerl Požar and Head of the Special Committee on Agriculture at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia in Brussels Simona Vrevc. Ministers focused in particular on the situation on agricultural markets in view of the war in Ukraine. The Council took note of the European Commission's communication on the state of implementation of the EU’s common fisheries policy and consultations for fishing opportunities for 2023.

Gastronomy of Slovenia, a collection of four books by prof. dr. Janez Bogataj, won two prestigious Best in the World awards at the renowned Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2022 ceremony in Sweden. One award was given to the entire collection of four books and the other to the Gastronomy of Mediterranean Slovenia in the category of Mediterranean books.

The 50th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHR), which will run from 13 June to 8 July 2022, is getting under way in Geneva. Among the topics in the focus of the session, Slovenia will pay particular attention to issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, human rights, and the environment, and will also react to the worrying human rights situation in individual countries.

Minister of the Interior, Tatjana Bobnar, attended the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg today.

The Ministry of Culture is flying the rainbow Pride flag during the month of June as a sign of its support for the LGBTQI+ community. The minister Dr Asta Vrečko took part in Ljubljana’s pride parade on 11 June 2022.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Thessaloniki and held several bilateral meetings on the margins of the event.

For the first time ever, the UN General Assembly elected Slovenia to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Ministry is proud of the successful vote with 176 votes and commends the endeavours of all who played a part in this project.

Mag. Dejan Židan, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, attended the Competitiveness Council (Internal Market and Industry) in Luxembourg where the ministers agreed on a general approach towards the drafted Consumer Credit Directive.

Dr Dominika Švarc Pipan, Minister of Justice, attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg and visited the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which celebrated the first anniversary of its operations on 1 June.

Minister of Health Danijel Bešič Loredan and his team met today with the representatives of the Coordination of medical organisations, i.e. the Medical Chamber of Slovenia (ZZS), the FIDES union, the Slovenian Medical Association (SZD) and the Slovenian Professional Association of Private Doctors and Dentists (SZZZZS).

The Government supports the work of the Fiscal Council as the independent and autonomous body overseeing the country’s public finance policy. At the recent meeting with the leadership of the Fiscal Council, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob expressed his interest in constructive future cooperation and dialogue about the important questions of fiscal stability.

On 9 June 2022, the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Gašper Dovžan, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović.

The Government has decided to draft an expert analysis of the legal bases that were used in minor offence proceedings against individuals due to violations of measures against the SARS-CoV-2 viral disease by the end of August.

We publish the response of the Ministry to the news about the brutal exploitation of foreign workers by the companies Marinblu and Selea and the inspection procedures which are underway regarding this case. The relevant statement provided below was given by State Secretary Dan Juvan.

At today’s meeting with the representatives of nursing care and the primary level, the Minister set the foundations for solid cooperation.

Acting Director-General for Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation Eva Tomič took part in the first Mediterranean Ministerial Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis via audio-video link. The event was organised by Italy within the scope of G7 to enhance regional activities in the area of safe food supply.

The Prime Minister’s Working Group on Mitigation of High Energy and Food Prices today held its first meeting and started drafting preliminary proposals and measures. The working group is headed by the Prime Minister and includes the ministers of the economy, infrastructure, agriculture, labour and finance.

On behalf of Prime Minister Robert Golob, the State Secretary for Foreign Policy in the Prime Minister’s Office, Vojko Volk, today met with the Second Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratiuk. The main topic of the discussion was the situation in Ukraine, in particular its desire to become a candidate country for EU membership as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon received Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk, who is paying a visit to Slovenia as a special envoy of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their discussions focused on the current situation in Ukraine and its European perspective.

Third round of evaluation of implementation of the Council of Europe's Convention on action against trafficking in human beings is taking place in Slovenia from 6 to 9 June. State Secretary dr. Branko Lobnikar received the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Greta) today at the Ministry of the interior.

Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland congratulates Joe Valencic on his induction into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He is the seventh Slovenian-American to be awarded this honor.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg. This was the first bilateral meeting she has hosted since assuming her duties.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with Austrian Minister of European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, who is paying a visit to Slovenia.

On 20 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the decision to proclaim June 7th World Food Safety Day, which is being marked this year for the fourth time. This year’s slogan is “Safer food, better health”.

Ministers responsible for telecommunications held a debate on the digital and green transition at a meeting of the Telecommunications Council on June 3 2022. Ambassador Tamara Weingerl Požar represented Slovenia at this meeting.

A group of hard-working volunteers performed a clean-up and beautifying of the Slovenian Cultural Garden today. The garden is part of the wonderful Cultural Gardens, and it is located at 820 East Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio. Come for a visit anytime!

On June 2nd, a handover ceremony took place at the Government Office for Digital Transformation. Former minister Mr Mark Andijanič congratulated the new minister, dr. Emilija Stojmenova Duh, who thanked her predecessor for his work and emphasized that her new team will continue the good effort.

Yesterday, the National Assembly confirmed the 15th Government of the Republic of Slovenia and appointed Dr Asta Vrečko as the new Minister of Culture. The handover took place today at the Ministry of Culture. After assuming office, Ms Vrečko thanked outgoing Minister Vasko Simoniti for the handover note, outlined her vision for the management of the Ministry of Culture and announced a strategically oriented cultural policy that has been neglected for 10 years.

Political Director and Director-General for common foreign and security policy Jernej Müller attended the 14th session of the Jordan-EU Association Council in Jordan. The session was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and saw the participation of European Commission Olivér Varhelyi and representatives of EU Member States, including ministers of foreign affairs of Cyprus, Luxembourg, Ireland and Greece.

Dr Aleksander Jevšek today took over the reins at the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy from his predecessor Zvone Černač.

Today, Minister Irena Šinko and outgoing Minister Jože Podgoršek completed the handover at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Jože Podgoršek thanked all colleagues for their constructive cooperation and encouraged them to maintain their love for the sector and continue to work enthusiastically. He wished his successor every success in her role at the helm of one of the most demanding sectors, in particular in the difficult period ahead. The new Minister thanked the outgoing Minister for his work so far and for a correct handover, wishing him every success in the future. She also presented the areas that will be crucial during her term in office.

After the handover, the newly-appointed Minister of the Interior, Tatjana Bobnar, and the Acting Director General of the Police, Boštjan Lindav gave a statement to the media.

On Thursday, June 2, the handover of business between the current Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, MSc, and the new Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec.

Today, former Minister Boštjan Koritnik handed over the official business to newly appointed Minister Sanja Ajanović Hovnik. Upon taking up her duties, Minister Ajanović Hovnik thanked her predecessor for his work and outlined her vision at the helm of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Today, former Minister Dr Anže Logar handed over the official business to newly appointed Minister Tanja Fajon. Upon taking up her duties, Minister Fajon thanked her predecessor for his work and outlined her vision at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia under the leadership of Robert Golob met at their inaugural sessions today and adopted multiple decisions.

This evening, Prime Minister Robert Golob and outgoing Prime Minister Janez Janša completed the handover. After the talks, they made a brief statement to the press.

The campaign “30 Years of Slovenia’s UN Membership” concluded with a virtual round table organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovenian UN Association to discuss the past and the future of the Organization.

Director-General of the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation Igor Jukič took part in the second dialogue of the Global Governance Group (3G) and the chairing G20 Troika. The hybrid event was hosted by Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša continues to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels. At the meeting, European leaders are discussing the situation in Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.

Today, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša is attending a special European Council meeting in Brussels. The European Council meeting will also take place tomorrow with discussions on Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.