News

State Secretary for the Establishment of Dialogue with Civil Society and Coordination of Citizens' Initiatives Maksimiljana Polak and Head of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Dejan Süč met with representatives of the volunteer association "Tačke pomocčke" and other representatives of animal advocates.

The European Commission has given a preliminary positive assessment of the first payment request for European funding for recovery and resilience. "We have been eagerly awaiting the news that was announced today by Commissioner Gentiloni. I am very pleased that the Commission has given the green light to our first payment request for the Recovery and Resilience Facility," said the Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič at a press conference.

On International Women’s Day, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, set out the concept of a feminist foreign policy, which is a cross-cutting theme of the new foreign policy strategy, and announced that the Ministry intends to increase its focus on gender equality and respect for the rights and the empowerment of women and girls around the world. The Feminist Foreign Policy Strategy will be launched on the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, on 24 June.

State Secretary for National and International Security Dr. Andrej Benedejčič received today the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Colorado Dianne Primavera and the Adjutant General of the State of Colorado Laura Clellan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of cooperation between the Slovenian Army and the Colorado National Guard.

Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec attended the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Stockholm, which was hosted by the Swedish capital yesterday and today in the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council.

During a visit to Dublin, State Secretary Marko Štucin held bilateral consultations with Peter Burke, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence in the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. The two officials discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations and engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on current European and international topics.

On 8 March, we celebrate one of the most important holidays, Women’s Day, which stands for courage, determination and the pursuit of solidarity and equality. It has been celebrated for over a hundred years, and marks the struggle for a world in which people can live with dignity and equality, whatever their circumstances.

At the meetings of the Government committees, the Government, among other things, agreed to the proposed amendments to the amended Scientific Research and Innovation Activities Act and to the expansion of the inscription of dry stone walling on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as to the modification of the baseline value of the AV Media Programmes 2022–2023 project, which is included in the current Development Programmes Plan.

Ms Irena Šinko, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF), is participating in the formal opening of the 48th FOODEX Japan 2023, the largest international food and beverages show, jointly with a delegation of Slovenian industrial and economic operators. At the show, regarded as the leading food and beverage show in Asia, 11 Slovenian companies are presenting themselves.

A ceremony was held today at the Intellectual Property Office to name a large meeting room after the outstanding Slovenian inventor and cosmopolitan Peter Florjančič. The event was attended by his daughter and grandson, and addressed by State Secretary Dejan Židan and the Director of the Office Karin Žvokelj.

State Secretary Marko Štucin met Leo Docherty, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Europe at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, during a visit to London. They talked about further strengthening bilateral relations and exchanged views on topical European and international affairs.

he Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, and the Minister of Public Administration, Ms Sanja Ajanović Hovnik, met with representatives of the international company Gallup.

At the UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the round table entitled ‘Leveraging the power of science, technology and innovation for the sustainable development of least developed countries’. She stressed the importance of cooperation, solidarity and development aid to eradicate poverty and inequality. On the sidelines of the Conference, Minister Fajon held a number of bilateral talks.

As of 1 March 2023, the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (AFSVSPP) will no longer allow the entry of pet animals from Ukraine under the simplified procedure, based on Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 on non-commercial movements of pets.

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in panels on solutions for an increasingly divided world and the future role of the United Nations (UN) at the Raisina Dialogue international conference in New Delhi. On the sidelines of the event, she met the Foreign Ministers of India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted the traditional meeting between Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland at the level of deputy foreign ministers. Their discussions focused on the current challenges in the region, the fallout from the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Western Balkans.

State Secretary Marko Štucin met with Secretary General at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Dr Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, in Bled today. They discussed current bilateral and European topics. In particular, they underlined the importance of the enlargement process to the Western Balkans and agreed that the region should remain a geostrategic priority for the EU.

State Secretary Marko Štucin held talks with Vice-President of the European Commission Věra Jourová during her visit to Slovenia. They discussed the rule of law and other institutional matters within her remit. State Secretary Štucin also presented Slovenia's plans for hosting the international MLA diplomatic conference in Ljubljana in May 2023.

The Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, hosted a working meeting with Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission. Their talks focused on the European Media Freedom Act, the situation at the Slovenian Press Agency and Radio-Television Slovenia, hate speech, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).

At today’s meeting, the Government adopted the Strategy for the Development of the Capital Market in Slovenia by 2030 and the Spring Forecast, which projects economic growth to be moderate this year, though higher than predicted in the Autumn Forecast, and a gradual fall in inflation.

2 March 2023 Ambassador Suhadolnik participated at the Gorenje Brand promotion conference in Qingdao. Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs. Mira Lesjak, the head of the Slovenian consulate in Shanghai, and Mr. Jan Sitar, economic counsellor of the Slovenian Embassy in Beijing.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is the most important global event on the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the development of society.

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia and the Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia are organising an event EU Economic governance framework reform – finding consensus to ensure sustainability and growth.

At the session of the government committee, the Government included the acquisition of new owned business premises for the needs of the operations of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Bucharest in the applicable Plan of Development Programmes and it also adopted a response in connection with the Action plan regarding the provision of special rights of the autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities.

Today, on 28 February 2023, the settlement of the liability management transaction, executed on 21 February 2023, took place which consisted of an additional issue of RS85 bonds in the value of EUR 200 million and buying back of RS83 and RS66 bonds.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government extended the provisional agreement regarding the hours paid for the work of trade union representatives and authorised Minister Poklukar to negotiate about the Collective Agreement for Police Officers. The Government also appointed the Director-General of the Treasury Directorate.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government amended the Decree determining the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity, with which it changed the excise duty on automotive gas oil (diesel) and heating gas oil (extra light fuel oil – KOEL).

At the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon stressed that Slovenia will always stand for respect for international law, human rights, multilateralism and solidarity. She also participated in the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, where she announced Slovenia's humanitarian contribution of EUR 300,000.

Today, Minister Marjan Šarec and State Secretary Dr Damir Črnčec attended a ceremony at Congress Square in support of Ukraine on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs organised an event in support of Ukraine and in memory of the victims of Russia's brutal aggression. Acting Secretary-General Renata Cvelbar Bek addressed the Diplomatic Corps and the Ministry's staff on behalf of Minister Tanja Fajon, who is attending the Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly. Andrii Taran, Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, also addressed the participants. The speeches and a minute's silence for the victims of the aggression against Ukraine were followed by the raising of the Ukrainian flag.

State Secretary Tina Heferle attended the 2nd European Conference on Border Management in Athens. The discussions focused on the effectiveness of European Union's border management and return policies as well as on the issue of EU funding to upgrade member states' operational capacities at the external borders.

Below is a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, on the first anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"There has never been any doubt in Slovenia that Ukraine is the victim and Russia is the aggressor, and we will continue to help Ukraine in every possible way," said Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob on the anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Last year, Slovenia helped Ukraine with almost €30 million in various forms of aid: from humanitarian and material assistance to direct aid to Ukrainian refugees who have taken refuge in our country. We have also been a strong supporter of Ukraine on the political stage and have been working hard to clearly condemn Russia's aggression and its crimes.

In the following we publish the statement by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit. Their discussion focused on strengthening competitiveness, transforming the labour market to support the green and digital transitions, and on EU-level solutions to labour shortages.

At today's session, the Government adopted proposals for legislation to speed up the green transition, a draft amendment to the Macro-prudential Supervision of the Financial System Act to facilitate and protect minimum wage earners who wish to take out a loan, and amendments to the Decree on self-employed professionals in culture. It approved investments to improve the water supply in Slovenian Istria and the Karst hinterland, and adopted a number of personnel matters in the Ministry of the Interior.

At today's meeting, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia set out the text of the draft Resolution on the overall long-term programme for the development and equipping of the Slovenian Armed Forces until 2040 (hereinafter: the Resolution) and sent it to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia for consideration and adoption.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman led the third Strategic Dialogue between the two countries in Washington today. Established in 2020, the Dialogue provides a framework for discussions and exchanges of views on bilateral cooperation and current political, security and other issues and challenges in the international community.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon addressed the Eleventh Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York marking the first anniversary of the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Slovenia strongly supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and Member States working towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, hosted the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, on his official visit to Slovenia. This is the second official visit of a foreign leader at Mr Golob’s invitation.

In December, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food issued an open call to individuals, legal persons or bodies governed by public law for submitting the applications for the 2023 Golden Bee Award. The Republic of Slovenia gives out the Golden Bee Award as the highest national award for the preservation and protection of bees and other pollinators. The call remains open until 1 March 2023. The topic of this year's call is research on bees and other pollinators.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the ceremonial opening of the biggest sporting event in Slovenia’s history – the Nordic World Ski Championships Planica 2023. More than 2,000 athletes and members of support teams from 66 countries are due to take part.

In this difficult situation for the entire European Union, we need our positions to be firm and uniform. Any uncoordinated political action is unnecessary and out of place. On the first anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, we need political unity both at home and at the European level.

On the 21st of February 2023, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable)/A (stable)/AA- (stable) reopened its 0.4875% October 2050 (Oct-50) by €200mn. The new issue size totalled €1.85bn after reopening.

The newly appointed Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar has taken the office from the Minister of Public Administration and Acting Minister of the Interior Sanja Ajanović Hovnik.

The Republic of Slovenia announces the cash tender results of the Euro denominated notes of the tender that expired on 20 February 2023.

State Secretary Marko Štucin today attended the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. In the run-up to the March European Council, the agenda of the meeting between Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs included Ukraine, competitiveness, the EU's single market and economy, energy and migration.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA-(stable) / A (stable), has this morning mandated Barclays, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank and Erste Group to lead manage a reopening of the SLOREP benchmark due in October 2050. The transaction will be Regulation S in dematerialized registered form.

Around two million four hundred thousand Slovenians at home and abroad speak Slovene as their first, mother tongue, meaning that Slovene is their language of communication, learning, thinking and creating. People also dream in their mother tongue.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Defence, the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia and the Chair of Defence Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences organised a consultation on "Retention of personnel in the Slovenian Armed Forces: challenges and solutions".