News

In Strasbourg, Minister Tanja Fajon attended the 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which focused on Ukraine, reviewed progress in implementing the decisions of the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government and adopted the first international instrument on artificial intelligence and human rights. She also represented Slovenia at the Commemorative Ceremony of the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the call for proposals to finance the establishment, maintenance and management of a public informing and alerting system, including the transmission of warning notifications.

This year, the theme of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is “No one left behind: Equality, freedom and justice for all”, which highlights the need for equality and respect for all people, regardless of their circumstances. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".

Today we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's membership in Europol at the Police Academy in Tacen.

Today, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) published its decision on the applications of three Slovenian fishermen against the Republic of Croatia. Slovenia intervened in the case to ensure legal aid for its citizens.

This year's Slovenian Regional Days, themed Demography, Human Resources, Regional Development, is held in Novo mesto. Demography, human resources and regional development are the key elements that shape the future of any region. The event looks into the various aspects of the three areas and their impact on the overall development of Slovenian regions.

Between 7 and 8 May 2024, the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration (SNSA) hosted the annual meeting of European Association of Competent Authorities for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material in Slovenia (EACA) for the first time since joining this European association of competent authorities for safe transport of radioactive material.

At its meeting today, the Government adopted a rehabilitation programme to deal with the consequences of the August 2023 floods. The programme is worth EUR 2.3 billion over five years, with EUR 360 million earmarked for this year. The programme will provide all the funds for replacement construction, for all municipal infrastructure, for public buildings, i.e. schools, kindergartens, etc. The programme also includes the rehabilitation of watercourses through permanent measures.

State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the UN Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, presented the latest report on the situation in the country. In his intervention, the State Secretary underlined the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and reiterated that the country’s future lies in the EU.

On May 14, 2024 ambassador Iztok Mirošič presented his Letter of Credence as Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to the Secretary General of CARICOM dr. Carla Barnett in Guyana.

On the fifth day of her visit to the Middle East and the Gulf, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal F. Alibrahim. As well as exchanging views on the Middle East, they spent a significant amount of time discussing how to strengthen economic cooperation.

On the 69th anniversary of the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs would like to emphasise that the Austrian State Treaty is of lasting importance for the Republic of Slovenia, as Article 7 of the Treaty provides an international legal basis for guaranteeing the rights of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia and Styria. The Republic of Slovenia is the legal successor to the Treaty and the state protector of the Slovenian minority.

The 9th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) is taking place on 15 and 16 May 2024 in Šibenik, Croatia. State Secretary mag. Marko Koprivc attended the official ministerial programme. High-level participants adopted the Šibenik Declaration that reflects the common efforts and achievements under the Croatian EUSAIR Presidency and outlines the way forward for the EUSAIR and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended a ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the Murska Sobota Community Health Centre, where he toured the newly renovated premises.

In Turkey, representatives of Mediterranean countries are discussing actions that countries need to take to increase climate resilience and water and food security. As Slovenia currently holds the Presidency of the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean, the Slovenian representatives presented the activities and measures being implemented within the framework of the Convention.

On the fourth day of her Middle East and Gulf tour, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar. The main topic of the talks was the Middle East, including the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

State Secretary Matevž Frangež today presented the starting points of a Slovenian startup strategy at the Podim Conference – one of the most important technology and startup events in Europe. The goal of the strategy, which was created in cooperation with active stakeholders of the ecosystem, is to make Slovenia one of the most attractive environments for startup companies by 2030.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a meeting titled 'Good Practices in Monitoring the Effective Workload of Doctors'. At a working meeting organised by the Ministry of Health, representatives of hospitals presented examples of good practice from the project on monitoring the effective workload of doctors.

At the Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Visegrad Group and seven other member states of the European Union, which took place in Prague, Czech Republic, Ministers responsible for Cohesion signed a Joint Declaration on the future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. The Joint Declaration emphasizes the need for strengthening Cohesion Policy and for the Policy to remain the EU’s main investment policy with the aim of reducing development disparities between EU member states and regions.

The last working day of the Consular section of the Embassy of the Republic in Slovenia in Cairo before the closure will be Thursday, 30 May 2024.

On the third day of her visit to the Middle East and the Gulf, Minister Tanja Fajon met with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates. The main topics of discussion were the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and developments in the Middle East. At the request of Sheikh Zayed, Minister Fajon gave an assessment of the situation in the Western Balkans. She also visited the Abrahamic Family House.

We are only a week away from the seventh World Bee Day. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food along with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) co-organise an international forum "Bees for people, planet and peace" as part of World Bee Day celebrations. It will be held on 22 and 23 May 2024 in Ljubljana.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today participated as a keynote speaker in the ceremony marking the completion of the Maribor-Šentilj-Slovenian state border railway upgrade project.

The guest of the new episode of the GOVSI podcast is Romano Prodi. We invited him to talk to host Nataša Čepar on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's accession to the EU. They also discussed relations between Slovenia and Italy and current events in world politics.

In the second part of her visit to the Middle East and the Gulf, Minister Tanja Fajon visited Egypt. She and her Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, agreed that every effort must be made to bring Israel and Hamas back to the negotiating table. On the first day, the Minister visited the Red Crescent logistics depot and a hospital in Arish, North Sinai, and later travelled to the Rafah Border Crossing.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, today received representatives of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the Slovenian National Disability Council (NSIOS). The meeting was held within the framework of the EDF General Assembly, which took place in Ljubljana from 10 to 12 May 2024 in co-organisation with NSIOS.

At today's correspondence session, the government adopted an opinion on the proposal to temporarily suspend the Ordinance related to the petition to review the constitutionality of the Ordinance calling a consultative referendum on regulating the right to assistance in the voluntary termination of life.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Educational activities for people serving a prison sentence.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's EU membership and Europe Day, Minister Fajon hosted a debate with Slovenians who were active in the pre-accession process and later worked in the EU institutions. In a relaxed discussion, the Minister and her guests exchanged views on Slovenia and the Union underscoring the importance of citizens casting their votes in the upcoming European elections.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended today's state ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's accession to the European Union, which was held in Nova Gorica. The ceremony took place on Europe Day, which commemorates the signing of the Schuman Declaration and the beginning of European integration.

At today’s session, the Government reached the decision to start the procedure for the recognition of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state. It also adopted the framework to erect a monument commemorating Slovenia’s independence in Trg Republike in Ljubljana and approved the proposal for a new State Assets Management Strategy. The procedure for drafting the 2025 and 2026 budgets was initiated.

Today, in the National Gallery, the Minister of Culture, Dr Asta Vrečko, presented a charter to the representatives of the Chamber of Nursing and Midwifery Services of Slovenia – the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia – and the Natural Beginnings Association on the occasion of the inscription of midwifery on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In Celje, young people celebrated the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's accession to the European Union (EU). Ahead of Europe Day, children from kindergartens and schools in the Celje region, as part of the European Village project, presented EU member states and countries on the path to EU membership at stands on the Main Square. Additionally, awards were presented at the Celje Cultural Center for the best works by students who participated in the Europe in School competition.

Minister Dr Aleksander Jevšek attended the opening of a photographic exhibition depicting the historical development of the museum and a panel discussion regarding the exhibition at the Park of Military History in Pivka. In his opening address, the Minister underlined that today, 20 years after the concept idea of establishing the museum, it has become one of the most visited museums in Slovenia and it is a success story also in terms of EU funds use.

The Minister of the Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, visited Malta, where he met with the Maltese Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, and the Executive Director of the European Union Asylum Agency, Nina Gregori.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Admiral Stuart Munsch, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and of the new Allied Joint Force Command in Naples. They discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the importance of NATO's KFOR mission for the stability of Kosovo and the wider region.

At the government committee meetings, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, among other things, adopted an opinion on the draft Declaration marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the European Union "At Home in Europe". It also included the project Major Maintenance of Halls of Residence for Secondary School Students 2024-2027 in the current Development Programme Plan for the period 2024-2027.

The Strategic Food Council and the Strategic Health Council held a joint meeting to discuss the starting points and options for changes in the taxation of unhealthy foods, sugary drinks, energy drinks, alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The Resolution on the national programme for the prevention and suppression of crime 2024–2028 paves the way to better civilian security. It is a fundamental guideline for formulating the Government’s national security policy.

On May 4, before the Europe Day, the European institutions opened their doors to visitors, who were able to visit long and complex corridors of the institutions and learn about everything the EU does for its citizens. The member states also presented themselves: Slovenia presented to around 10,000 visitors with its potica pastry and excellent athletes, who are true ambassadors of the Slovenian way of life.

In the first three days of May, most of Slovenia’s electricity consumption was covered by renewable energy sources, while on 4 May 2024, the electricity generated from renewables even exceeded daily consumption.

In late April, Brdo pri Kranju hosted a gathering of communications professionals from various EU member states, candidate countries, and European institutions. The event was organized jointly by the Government Communication Office and the Club of Venice. Participants delved into two key themes: tackling disinformation and the communication challenges posed by the EU's expansion into the Western Balkans.

Political consultations took place between Slovenia and Chile, which the Slovenian side represented by State Secretary Sanja Štiglic and Political Director/Director-General Mateja Norčič Štamcar. On the Chilean side, the consultations were headed by Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen Olivares, Secretary-General of the Chilean Foreign Ministry.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob joined young athletes at the opening of the long-standing Youth Sports Games. This year, for the first time, the Youth Sports Games are being held in Ljubljana, with children and young people competing in ten sports disciplines. Some sporting idols were among those present at the opening ceremony.

The archive reading room and information room will be open only until 12 noon on Thursday, May 9, due to the event.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon visited Israel and Palestine and met with senior officials on both sides. She called on Israel to abandon its plan to attack Rafah and suggested that both sides consider dialogue. She expressed the hope that the negotiations in Cairo would lead to a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.

Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič attended the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Ministers discussed the current challenges facing countries and possible approaches to address them with a view to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The fourth Golden Bee Award will be presented this year. The award committee received 16 applications from 11 countries for achievements in the promotion of bees and wild pollinators.

Twenty years have passed since Slovenia became a member of the European Union. The significant enlargement on May 1, 2004, was the result of our longstanding desire for positive change and the determination to become part of an advanced Europe.

Twenty years ago today, the European Union witnessed its largest enlargement in history, a process that demanded extensive preparations from both the Union and the ten countries of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. In the subsequent years, three more new Member States joined. From today's perspective, this wave of enlargement seems like a small miracle, as it is difficult to maintain the same pace of enlargement in the face of numerous global and domestic challenges.