News

In the latest episode of the government GOVSI podcast, host Zoran Potič talks with Maria Giovanna Sessa from EU DisinfoLab, an organization that has been studying the impact of disinformation campaigns for years and promotes building resilience against manipulative content in the digital environment.

Prime Minister Golob today attended the extraordinary session of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Novo mesto.

Prime Minister Golob attended an extraordinary session of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Novo mesto.

Today, on 27 October 20205, Prime Minister Robert Golob informed the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia of the resignations of Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar and Minister of Justice Andreja Katič.

In the light of recent events, Prime Minister Robert Golob, Minister of Justice Andreja Katič and Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar visited Novo mesto, where they met with the local community and took note of the measures taken on the ground.

In light of yesterday's tragic incident in Novo mesto, members of the National Security Council Secretariat convened for an extraordinary session, where they reviewed the situation and adopted several proposals for operational measures.

Following the tragic incident in Novo mesto, Prime Minister Robert Golob convened a meeting attended by the Minister of Justice, Andreja Katič, the Minister of the Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Luka Mesec, the State Prosecutor General, Katarina Bergant, the President of the Supreme Court, Miodrag Đorđević, and the Director General of the Police, Damjan Petrič.

Dear citizens, dear Slovenians at home and abroad, today's holiday commemorates the moment when Slovenia firmly set out on the path to becoming an independent and sovereign state. It marks the day when Slovenia became a sovereign state not only in law, but also in practice.

Today marks the end of the first international defence fair with the SIDEC 2025 expert conference and the 5th event »V službi domovine«, where the Slovenian Armed Forces traditionally showcase themselves to the wider public, taking place at the Celje Exhibition Centre.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended two events in Vienna that brought together diplomacy, culture and business in one of the world’s foremost diplomatic centres. The events presented Slovenia as a creative, supportive and responsible country that believes in the power of dialogue and cooperation.

The Celje Exhibition Centre is currently hosting SIDEC 2025, the region's leading event in the field of defence, security, and advanced technologies. Through this event, the Ministry of Defence and the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster are promoting Slovenian industry internationally. At the same time the event »V službi domovine« is also taking place, which was visited today by the Minister of Defence, Borut Sajovic.

In Vienna, at a meeting with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Minister Tanja Fajon expressed her satisfaction with the publication of the report on the events at the Peršman Homestead, following almost three months of waiting, and conveyed Slovenia’s expectation that Austria would take swift and appropriate action based on the report’s recommendations.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the draft Act on Measures to Optimise Certain Procedures at Centres for Social Work and Homes for the Elderly upon the Introduction of the New Long-Term Care System and the draft Act on Protective Measures against Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPP). The Government also approved amendments to the Public Finance Act.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on Friday, 31 October 2025, in observance of Reformation Day.

On 22 October 2025, State Secretary Neva Grašič represented Slovenia at the 11th Berlin Process Summit, hosted by the United Kingdom in London. The Summit brought together leaders and ministers from EU member states and Western Balkan countries to discuss security, migration, economic growth, cooperation and the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

24 October 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter coming into force– a document that gave humanity new hope after the devastation of the Second World War. The United Nations was established to spare future generations the horrors of war and to provide a shared platform for peace, peaceful coexistence, cooperation and development.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Deafblind Association of Slovenia DLAN. He was accompanied by his wife, Tina Gaber Golob, the Ambassador for the Rights of the Deafblind.

At the Celje Exhibition Centre, where the first International Defence Fair SIDEC 2025 and the professional conference of the same name are taking place, the topics of future technologies and artificial intelligence were at the forefront of the conference today. Numerous meetings took place throughout the fair, demonstrating that it is becoming an important platform for dialogue and networking.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a meeting with the leaders of parliamentary parties, hosted by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, to discuss outstanding personnel matters.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Dr Melita Gabrič, took part in the Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Tokyo, held under the auspices of the governments of Japan and Ukraine.

The Minister of Defence, Borut Sajovic, opened the first International Defence, Security, Protection, and Rescue Fair (SIDEC 2025) at the Celje Congress Centre today. Until Friday 24 October, more than 170 companies from 20 countries will be showcasing their products and services.

State Secretary Neva Grašič participated in the regular EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. The ministers for European affairs focused on discussing the draft conclusions for the European Council meeting in October and the key points of the European Commission's proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034.

Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek attended the ministerial meeting of the Visegrad Group in V4+ format, i.e. Friends of Cohesion, that was held on 21 October 2025 in Budapest. The ministers discussed the future of Cohesion Policy under the EU's next multiannual financial framework.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Golob, French President Emmanuel Macron is currently on his first official working visit to Slovenia. His visit follows the MED9 summit, where the MED9 leaders discussed key European and international topics.

The construction of the new Vrazov trg Campus of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ljubljana is continuing successfully and approaching the final phase of construction works. While inspecting the progress, Minister Igor Papič and Gregor Majdič, Rector of the University of Ljubljana, discussed the construction conclusion.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Golob, French President Emmanuel Macron is currently on a working visit to Slovenia. The two leaders began their visit today at the Port of Koper (Luka Koper), where a strategic partnership in the field of port and logistics solutions was confirmed between France and Slovenia in the presence of both Heads of State.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob welcomed to Portorož the leaders of the MED9 Group of Mediterranean EU Member States, together with two distinguished guests – King Abdullah II of Jordan and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The Italian Republic was represented by its Deputy Prime Minister, who had also attended the previous MED9 Summit held in Alicante, Spain, in 2022.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, where ministers discussed the EU's role in peace efforts in Gaza, with an emphasis on humanitarian and security aspects. They also touched on the importance of continued comprehensive support for Ukraine. Minister Fajon will later attend a ministerial meeting on interregional security and connectivity.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has expressed strong indignation in response to reports of vandalism in Austrian Carinthia, where Slovenian place names on bilingual local signs in the municipalities of Železna Kapla and Pliberk were defaced with paint.

Together with Costa Rica, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Slovenia organised a high-level event to launch the progress report on the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. The Initiative brings together 91 countries with the aim of strengthening respect for international humanitarian law and humanity in modern armed conflicts.

On the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Slovenia reaffirms its commitment to eradicating poverty as the first goal of sustainable development in Agenda 2030. As a developed donor, Slovenia contributes to the eradication of poverty around the world through development cooperation and humanitarian aid, which is based on the global responsibility to a world where every individual should have equal opportunities for a dignified life.

In the new episode of the GOVSI government podcast, host Petra Bezjak Cirman talks with Marijan Papež, long-time Director General of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZPIZ). The conversation focuses on the pension reform adopted by the National Assembly in September. Whether it will actually be implemented depends on the outcome of the ongoing signature collection for a referendum.

Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), chaired a panel at the #Disinfo2025 conference on how to initiate the »de-shitification« of our online experience. Experts Maarten Schenk and Marc Faddoul shared their views on how we can actively contribute to a better online experience and strengthen digital responsibility.

The Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN Office in Geneva and the Bled Strategic Forum, in cooperation with Interpeace, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Geneva Call, organised a panel discussion entitled "International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Action for Peace: Protecting People, Building Futures."

Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, is paying his first official visit to Slovenia at the invitation of Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in strategically important sectors, and to open up new opportunities for collaboration.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia reviewed the draft Act on the Payment of the Winter Allowance and approved the draft amendment to the Social Security Act. The Government also adopted the Strategy for the Development of Quantum Technologies in Slovenia until 2035, which encompasses research, infrastructure, human resources, knowledge transfer, and support mechanisms, and provides a systemic response to the challenges and opportunities of quantum technology development.

Slovenia has fast-forwarded absorption of EU funds, according to the data published yesterday by the European Commission. The country has moved up 11 places in criterion ‘’funds decided’’, i.e. financial resources allocated to selected projects (project pipeline). ‘’This shows that we prepared well-thought-out measures to improve absorption back at the start of the year. We will keep working hard to reach the top,’’ said Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek on this occasion.

As part of the government’s regional visit, Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob continued his activities in Lendava, where he also concluded the visit.

State Secretary Tina Heferle attended the meeting of interior ministers of the Berlin Process countries in London.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and members of the Government visited the Pomurje region today, starting their visit with a session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in Murska Sobota.

Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, presented the 2024 report on international development cooperation to the Committee on Foreign Policy of the Slovenian National Assembly, together with senior representatives of Caritas Slovenia, the Sloga platform and the Centre for European Perspective. The presentation was followed by a debate among deputies on Slovenia's activities in this field.

In his opening speech at the #Disinfo2025, Vojko Volk said that we are living in a very complicated and difficult time of disinformation. The State Secretary for National and International Security at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia stressed that every day we are fighting disinformation, which is attacking our values.

At today's session, the Government adopted the proposed Act on the intervention measure to extend the validity of annual electronic vignettes. It also decided to reclassify the H5 and H6 expressways as main roads, where no toll will be charged for passenger cars, and took note of the progress of the merger of the Pomurje Science and Innovation Centre with the "Jožef Stefan" Institute.

Prime Minister Robert Golob participated in this year’s Congress of Economic Democracy, where he also addressed the attendees.

Slovenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing 176 votes in the UN General Assembly in New York. Angola, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam and the United Kingdom were elected alongside Slovenia for this term.

The 13th Slovenian Development Days have opened in Ljubljana under the title Business for Global Solidarity, highlighting the crucial role of the business sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering humanitarian aid.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar is attending the European Union (EU) Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Fran Ramovš Institute of the Slovenian Language at the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU).

The European Commission today gave a preliminary positive assessment to the fourth request for payment of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. Slovenia is expected to receive payment of the request, amounting to just under EUR 440 million, before the end of this year.

Prime Minister Robert Golob: I welcome the Peace plan to end the war in Gaza, which was put forward by the US President and with the help of other partners from the Middle East region.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Golob, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is today paying an official visit to Slovenia. This is the first visit of its kind in seven years, and the first to Slovenia since Secretary-General Rutte assumed his current position.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended the 71st Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana, where he also addressed the participants.

At the October film event of the 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Days (LAC Days), Cuba's efforts to enhance climate resilience were showcased in the documentary Cuba's Life Task: Combating Climate Change.

State Secretary Neva Grašič hosted a meeting of the MED9 group’s State Secretaries for EU Affairs in Portorož. The participants discussed current foreign policy issues, competitiveness and the EU budget. The MED9 group, which brings together nine Mediterranean EU member states, has been chaired by Slovenia for the first time this year. With nine voices being stronger than one, this is an important forum for coordination and the exchange of views.

The Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, participated in the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Berlin Process in Belfast at the invitation of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the Global Gateway Board meeting, where senior representatives of EU governments discussed priorities for the continued implementation of the Global Gateway strategy.

''Different EU instruments have supported cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary ever since 2004. The previous three generations of Interreg programme Slovenia-Hungary saw 67 projects worth altogether 42.8 million euros come to life. I am happy to announce that another call for proposals for standard projects is coming out tomorrow,'' said Minister Jevšek in his opening remarks at the Szentgotthárd/Monošter Forum, an initiative launched back in 2015.

At today’s session, the Government adopted the Decree on the Organisation, Equipment and Training of Protection, Rescue and Relief Forces, took note of the draft budgetary plan of the general government sector for 2026, and appointed Damjan Petrič as Director General of the Police.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is paying a visit to Slovenia today and tomorrow at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to meetings with senior state representatives, High Commissioner Türk and Minister Fajon participated in a discussion entitled Building Our Common Future, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.

UN Human Rights Council concluded its 60th session. At Slovenia's initiative, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons was extended, and at the EU's initiative, a mechanism was established to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Afghanistan. Professor Veronika Fikfak, a Slovenian expert, was elected as member of the Council's Advisory Board.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs marked the start of the new academic year with a guest lecture by Prof. Mojmir Mrak, a renowned expert on international economic issues and lecturer at the business faculties of Ljubljana and Vienna. Introductory remarks were given by State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Diplomatic Academy’s Head, Dr Andraž Zidar.

Minister Jevšek and his team stopped in Velenje to visit several EU-funded projects. In Velenje city centre, they learned more about the progress made in renovating the Cankarjeva ulica road and transforming the former power plant into a new business incubator. Before conducting field visits, the ministers met for a government session.

At today's session, the Government began consideration of the proposed Act on the gradual closure of the Velenje Coal Mine and the starting points for the drafting of a proposed Act on the economic development restructuring of the Savinja-Šalek region. It also took note of information on measures and investments in watercourses, which have amounted to nearly EUR 1 billion over the past two years.

Two years have passed since the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on Israel, in which 1,200 innocent people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. As a result of Israel's relentless offensive, Gaza has been completely destroyed. More than 65,000 civilians have been killed, including 18,000 children.

Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,000 Israelis were killed, was a crime that should not be minimized or underestimated.

State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, undertook a joint visit to Skopje and Pristina. The State Secretary stressed the importance of the European perspective for the socio-economic development of both countries and for the stability of the Western Balkans for Europe. She also advocated for the resolution of outstanding regional issues and expressed support for the ambitious goal of achieving EU integration for the region by 2030.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed to visitors and users of archival records on October 8 and 9, 2025, due to a two-day professional event.

Between 5 and 7 October 2025 in Portorož, Slovenia is hosting an informal meeting of MED ministers of agriculture. Today’s conference focused on strengthening the agriculture’s resilience, promoting innovations and implementing measures at the EU level, also from the perspective of the proposals for a Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2027. The ministers adopted a joint declaration containing key guidelines for the sustainable development of agriculture in the region.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Ensuring appropriate use of karst grasslands and rock faces for the conservation of selected habitat types and species in the Natura 2000 area Karst.

At the 2nd High-Level Forum and the 29th EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting, Minister Tanja Fajon underlined that, in the current geopolitical climate, it is now more important than ever for the two regions to strengthen their connection and cooperation. Recalling the lessons of the past, she referenced the wars and suffering in the former Yugoslavia, as well as the international frameworks established in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Renovation of the former school of commerce.

The Fitch credit rating agency yesterday upgraded Slovenia's credit rating from A to A+ with a stable outlook. Following the improved outlook in the spring, this latest upgrade further confirms confidence in Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the 2025 presentation of the Republic of Slovenia's national awards in the field of education. This award, which is the highest recognition in the field of education, is presented annually by the Ministry of Education.

On 23 October 2025, Slovenia will present a remarkable story of integrating culture, economy and foreign policy in Vienna, one of the world's most important centres of diplomacy. Under the honorary patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, the famous Wiener Konzerthaus will host a performance of the musical Peace Child, organised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for a call for proposals to promote investment in economic restructuring in the Zasavje and Savinjsko-Šaleška coal regions under the Just Transition Fund for the period 2025-2028.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved European funds for the project National culture and arts education hub – culture bazaar.

On the second day of his working visit to Denmark, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the seventh summit of the European Political Community, hosted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

At today’s session, the Government adopted a proposal to amend the Service in the Slovenian Armed Forces Act. The amendment aims to regulate working hours and certain other employment rights for the duration of specific military activities. It also adopted significant changes to toll collection for freight vehicles, introducing higher tolls for those who pollute more.

On 30 September 2025, State Secretary Neva Grašič addressed participants at the conference titled 'Strategies for Competitiveness, Industry Leaders and Supply Heads Chains', held at the Grand Hotel Union. The event was organised by Confindustria Slovenia, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Italian Republic and the Italian Trade Agency.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government and the summit of the European Political Community in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 1 and 2 October 2025.

During the High-level General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the work of the UN Security Council, under the presidency of the Republic of Korea, was particularly intense. The Council devoted a great deal of attention to Gaza and the wider Middle East, held its regular annual debate on peacekeeping operations and met to discuss drone incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for a call for proposals for Important Projects of Common European Interest in the field of batteries and innovations related to battery technologies – the EuBatIn project.

Today, on 1 October, we mark the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme is “Older persons driving local and global action: Our aspirations, our well-being and our rights.”

The Archivalia of the Month section features the Archivalia of the month of October, which presents a self-reflection and insightful analysis by Ciril Zlobec, one of the most important Slovenian cultural figures of the second half of the 20th century, at Republic Square in May 1995, which, even three decades after its creation, still accurately reflects today's socio-political reality. The text was prepared by Žiga Koncilija.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Tom Potokar, a retired surgeon of Slovenian descent, who has worked in numerous crisis areas, most recently in Gaza.

The Director-General of the Slovenian Prison Administration and a representative of the General Office for International Cooperation participated in Kraków at the EuroPris Annual General Meeting and at the 30th Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services.

Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Dr Aleksander Jevšek spoke at an event highlighting the progress made in establishing the Centre for Development, Demonstration and Training for Carbon-Free Technologies.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the opening ceremony of the 24th Festival of the Third Age.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended today's Civil Defence Day celebration, which was held under the title Civil Defence Strengthens Resilience, and addressed the gathering.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Managing chronic diseases by enhancing health literacy (ZaPrePis).

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, in cooperation with public research organizations in Slovenia, has produced a scientific diplomacy factsheet, entitled “Slovenia's Research & Innovation landscape”, which contributes to the presentation, promotion, and opening up of Slovenia's scientific research and innovation landscape to the international community.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, has visited the Slovenian community in Cleveland, Ohio between 25 and 27 September 2025.

"The Crow's Flight is proof that a small nation in the heart of Europe can write a great story"

The Slovenian Science Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi, the Embassy of India in Ljubljana and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi worked together to organise the first Slovenian-Indian Festival of Science, Innovation, Smart Technologies and the Economy.

The Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič on the basis of the third paragraph of Article 40 of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding Act, issued a Decision on the appointment and tasks of the Expert Commission for the preparation of the candidate proposal for two members of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Renovation of the Narodni dom building (cultural centre).

Slovenia has been a NATO member for more than two decades, yet debates about defense spending and the role of the Alliance remain lively. On the occasion of Civil Defense Day, the guest of the GOVSI podcast was Dr. Jelena Juvan, Head of the Defense Studies Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The High-level Week of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly's 80th session is drawing to a close in New York, where Minister Tanja Fajon participated in numerous high-level meetings. In her addresses, she urged leaders to engage in dialogue, seek political solutions and promote tolerance and the protection of civilians. She expressed hope that by the next session, wars will have ended, the UN will be stronger and debates will focus on the future.

The Slovenian government has approved a financial contribution of EUR 1.2 million to support the Palestinian Authority. In doing so, Slovenia has joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority. The Coalition was launched by France, Norway, Spain and Saudi Arabia at last year's Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution meeting in New York.

State Secretary of European Affairs Igor Mally today received a delegation hailing from the France-Slovenia Friendship Group in the Senate of the French Republic.