News

The plenary meeting of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 28 November to 1 December 2022. The Slovenian delegation presented the life and work of one of the most important chronicler of the historical events and tragedies of the 20th century, writer Boris Pahor, who passed away in May 2022 at the age of 108, to the Committee on the Holocaust, Genocide and Crimes against Humanity.

Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Dr Igor Papič, and State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Matevž Čelik Vidmar, visited the National and University Library (NUK).

Today, at the invitation of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec and a delegation visited Ukraine.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration. The meeting discussed the follow-up to the sixth EU-African Union Summit and Team Europe’s crisis response, with a focus on Ukraine and Afghanistan.

On 16th November 2022, Her Excellency Barbara Sušnik presented her Letters of Credence as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to the Kingdom of Belgium to His Majesty The King of the Belgians.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 890,000 in EU funding for the project Integrated Territorial Investments Kranj: Planina overpass – Hrastje business zone.

At the request of the Ukrainian side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide 370,000 euros in humanitarian aid for the purchase of an ambulance for the transport of premature babies and mothers. The donation agreement was signed today by the Acting Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Renata Cvelbar Bek, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, Mr Andrii Taran.

Minister of the Interior Tatjana Bobnar attended an extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels. Ministers discussed the situation on the main migration routes.

In the wake of the global food crisis, which has deepened since the start of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed that Slovenia join Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's 'Grain from Ukraine' initiative, in which Ukraine donates grain while donor countries, including Slovenia, finance shipping to the least developed countries in Africa and Asia, where people are at risk of starvation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported a project to complete the renovation of a rehabilitation home in Ukraine. With the project, which will be implemented by the Ministry’s strategic partner for humanitarian aid, Slovenian Caritas, Slovenia will help ensure facilities for the proper care and rehabilitation of 90 children, people with disabilities and young people with special needs, who are increasing in number as a consequence of the bombing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs joins the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Violence against women remains one of the most common human rights violations around the world. For many years, the global average of one in three women experiencing violence in their lifetime has remained unchanged.

The proposed mechanism for limiting natural gas price presented this week by the European Commission will need substantial corrections, stated Bojan Kumer, Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure, after today’s meeting of energy ministers.

In Iran, we are increasingly witnessing the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors, which is why today's Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the state of human rights in Iran is extremely important.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the 7th Regional Forum Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting held in Barcelona. The ministers discussed the impact of the current situation in the region on younger generations and its improvement, solidarity, and cooperation, and outlined the way forward for the work of the UfM.

At today's session, the Government adopted decrees on financial aid for the shortage of fodder in 2022 and on financial compensation for beekeepers. It also adopted the starting points for the drafting of normative solutions in relation to the minor offence proceedings conducted during the efforts to contain the infectious disease COVID-19.

The European Commission has approved the new Programme for the elimination of material deprivation in the Republic of Slovenia for the 2021–2027 period. A total of EUR 32.6 million has thus been secured until 2029 to help the most vulnerable population groups and eliminate their material deprivation, of which the EU will contribute EUR 29.4 million.

State Secretary Žbogar and Omani Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalifa Al-Harthy held the first political consultations between Slovenia and Oman in Muscat. These are the first consultations since the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of Political Consultations in December 2021, which forms the basis for further regular contacts at this level.

The two-day CM22 session of the ESA Council, which was attended by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Matevž Frangež, has concluded in Paris. He also participated in the OECD Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum entitled Green Innovation and the Impact of Economic Shocks.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited the Ljubljana Institute of Oncology and the Ljubljana University Medical Centre (LUMC).

There are many soldiers. And there are many poets. But there are few soldiers who are also poets. General Rudolf Maister would deserve to be remembered for this fact alone. But he was so much more. Just as he knew how to write – signing his works with his pen name Vojanov – he also knew how to wield a sword. So he was not only a man of words, but above all a man of actions. Without him our northern border would not be where it is today – if there would be a border at all.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar, accompanied by a Slovenian business delegation, attended a Saudi-Slovenian business forum, organised at the Association of Saudi Chambers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir.

At today's sessions of government committees, the Government adopted, inter alia, its opinion regarding the proposers' request for constitutional review of the Decision on the inadmissibility of the call for a legislative referendum on the Act Amending the Family Code and the opinion on the proposal to call a consultative referendum on the adoption of an amendment to the Personal Income Tax Act, and included several projects in the current Development Programme Plan 2022-2025.

Minister Irena Šinko participated in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting. European Commission informed the EU Ministers on implementing the new EU forest strategy for 2030, and on ensuring the availability and affordability of fertilisers. They dealt with the agricultural aspect of the proposal for a Regulation on nature restoration, on two points concerning fisheries, on energy transition of the EU fishing fleet and aquaculture, and on the algae sector development activities. In bilateral meetings, the Minister met with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, and with Mr Peter Kullgren, the Minister for Rural Development of Sweden, which in 2023 begins the Presidency over the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

Minister Fajon presented to the students of the Faculty of Social Sciences the role of Slovenia in addressing current challenges and the multilateral aspect of Slovenia's foreign policy. In her presentation titled "Confidence in the Future: Slovenia in the United Nations Security Council," she spoke about Slovenia's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon addressed the participants of the 4th Latin America and Caribbean Days conference (LAC Days 2022). The event was held in a virtual format under the theme "Water-related disaster risk management in a changing climate" and focused on climate change, water, and digital solutions to address the current challenges facing both regions.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, Matjaž Han, Economy Minister and Bojan Kumer, Minister of Infrastructure attended a meeting with businesspeople, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. The Government representatives presented solutions and measures to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis for the companies not covered so far by electricity and natural gas price regulation.

The ministers in charge of Cohesion Policy met in Brussels to exchange views on the long-term impacts of Cohesion Policy on EU regions. The ministers agreed that the fundamental role of Cohesion Policy should continue to be to reduce disparities in the level of development of the various member states and regions, despite recent crises.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met the newly elected Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar.

Speaking at the press conference after the conclusion of the annual IMF Mission to Slovenia’s consultations, Minister Klemen Boštjančič expressed his agreement with its findings.

On Saturday, 19 November, ahead of the finals of the European Women's Handball Championship, the Government Communication Office hosted a promotional event called Slovenia - the Land of Top Sporting Achievements, at which former world-class Alpine skier and I Feel Slovenia brand ambassador Tina Maze was the guest of honour.

The Ministry of Health today prepared a conference for healthcare providers at Brdo pri Kranju. The main focus was on the novelties brought by the Urgent Measures to Maintain the stability of the health system Act (ZNUZSZS), and the Urgent measures to prevent the spread and mitigate the consequences of the infectious disease COVID-19 in healthcare Act (ZNUNBZ).

The Government adopted the new version of the Criminal Code and took a position on the amendments to the draft budgets for the next two year at today’s correspondence session.

This year, the World Fisheries Day, celebrated on 21 November, is dedicated to highlighting the importance of healthy marine ecosystems and to ensuring sustainable fisheries stocks and social protection of workers in the fishing industry.

European Commission published today in the Official Journal of the European Union the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2267 of 14 November 2022 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (“Meso istarskog goveda – boškarina / Meso istrskega goveda – boškarina” (PDO)).

Between 18 and 20 November, Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec attended the International Security Forum in Halifax, Canada. He was a speaker on the panel on trends in the use of modern versus traditional weapons systems, entitled "Tanks or Tech? The 21st Century Battlefield".

On this day we commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and remember all those killed and injured in road traffic accidents together with their families and friends. Prime Minister Robert Golob yesterday, 19 November 2022, attended the traditional commemoration organised by Zavod Varna pot.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended a regular meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels. The focus was on the preparations for the December European Council meeting and on the hearing of Hungary on the state of the rule of law under Article 7 of the EU treaty.

As part of its regular annual programme, the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) paid a two-day visit to Slovenia to meet with representatives of NGOs, social partners and civil society.

Police Chiefs met at the international conference in Portorož on 17 and 18 November 2022, and discussed the stepping-up of information exchange and police cooperation in the region for the purpose of prevention of organised crime and dismantling of the highly profitable illicit business model of the criminal networks.

Yesterday at COP27, Slovenia presented itself as a green, creative and smart country, active in the field of climate change and oriented towards a green transition, supported by advanced digital technologies. The government of Slovenia demonstrated excellent mutual cooperation of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, MEST, MEDT, MFA with climate and economic diplomacy, Spirit Agency and STO.

18th November 2022 we are celebrating European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Slovenia together with initiating countries Andorra, Belgium, Monaco and San Marino prepared a statement to mark this day for the 8th year in a row. This year, another 40 European countries, plus Mexico, have backed a joint statement.

Today, the Volčji Potok Arboretum played host to an event within the framework of the regular Business to Diplomacy (B2D) meetings organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the auspices of Minister Tanja Fajon. The events are aimed at the internationalisation of the Slovenian economy and represent an excellent opportunity for Slovenian companies to present their know-how, products and services to the diplomatic corps in Slovenia.

State Secretary Marko Štucin paid a bilateral visit to Vienna and met with Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution Karoline Edtstadler and Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs Dr Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal.

At today’s session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia took note of information on the escalation of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and on an incident on the Polish-Ukrainian border. The government strongly condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted, among other things, in systematic attacks against civilians and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The government calls on the Russian Federation to cease such actions immediately. It will also offer additional assistance to Ukraine in the reconstruction of critical infrastructure. Apart from that, it adopted a decision instructing the relevant ministries to prepare measures to compensate electricity and natural gas suppliers.

Minister for Development and European Cohesion Policy dr Aleksander Jevšek attended the cross-border economic forum of entrepreneurs in Lenti, Hungary, where he met with his Hungarian colleague Tibor Navracsics.

Science is of vital importance for society, and one of the key generators of progress. This is why Prime Minister Golob today visited the country’s most senior national institution for science and art – the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU). He met with the Academy’s leadership and was briefed on its history, activities and current initiatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted the second meeting of the Strategic Council for Foreign Affairs, which was dedicated to discussions about China and its role in the changing political and social global order. The debate revolved around the question of whether China, with its position as a superpower and its relationship with the US, is an adversary, a rival or partner to the European Union.

Following today’s informal consultations with the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob has said that based on all the information that the government has about the incident in Poland, there is no need for any rise in the level of alert, as there has been no increase in the threat assessment level.

A trilateral Letter of Intent was signed in Podgorica between the ministries of foreign affairs of Slovenia, France and Montenegro on the establishment of a regional Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C; Centre de développement des Capacités Cyber des Balkans Occidentaux - 3CBO) at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, which is part of the University of Montenegro in Podgorica.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 1.5 million for a call for proposals Developing new organisational forms of treating people who require short-term institutional care after an injury or illness. The total funding comes from the European Social Fund and React-EU.

State Secretary, Dr Branko Lobnikar, attended the two-day ministerial meeting of the member states of the Salzburg Forum in Bucharest.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved nearly EUR 650 thousand in EU funding for the project Integrated Territorial Investments Kranj cycling routes: Zlato polje – Kranj railway station.

In the face of the uncertain situation on the energy markets, the Slovenian Government is working with various stakeholders, including suppliers, to exchange information and find the best solutions to make it through this challenging period

The President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Alojz Kovšca, paid an official visit to Japan from 6 to 11 November 2022, upon the invitation of the Speaker of the Senate of Japan, Hidehisa Otsuji. President of the National Council Alojz Kovšca was accompanied by the State Councillors, Bojan Kekec and Mitja Gorenšček.

Today’s EU Foreign Affairs Council in the defence configuration held in Brussels was attended by State Secretary for Defence Dr Damir Črnčec. The discussion focused on the EU's defence capabilities.

In the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Slovenian delegation headed by Minister of Infrastructure Bojan Kumer and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon concluded a deal on the supply of natural gas to Slovenia.

State Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Uroš Vajgl, and Mag. Tina Sršen, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure, addressed the participants in the presentation of the results of the Slovenian Household Energy Efficiency Survey (REUS GOS 2022).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the regular EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels. The discussions focused on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the Great Lakes region in Africa and the Western Balkans.

Yesterday, Fitch affirmed Slovenia's credit rating at A with a stable outlook.

Even when living abroad, Slovenians do not forget their tradition, and must does have to turn into wine. Here are some images from tonight's Martinovanje in Cleveland!

At the correspondence meeting, the government adopted several decisions.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar received a courtesy visit from the Special Representative of the People’s Republic of China for Cooperation between Central and Eastern Europe Countries and China, Ambassador Jiang Yu.

Today, the Minister of Culture, Dr Asta Vrečko, paid a regional visit to the Goriška and Obalno-Kraška regions. During her visit, she signed contracts with the Mayors of Ajdovščina, Komen and Divača on the co-financing of museum projects worth around EUR 4.5 million. These are projects included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

Today, on 11 November 2022, the first session of the government working group for Roma issues, which was appointed at the 20th regular session of the Government, took place.

Today, Dr Andrej Benedejčič, State Secretary for National and International Security in the Office of the Prime Minister, welcomed Pavel Franko, Director of the Office of the Security Council of the Slovak Republic.

Slovenia is hosting the largest women’s sports event since the country gained its independence. From 4 to 20 November, Celje and Ljubljana will be hosting matches of the European Women’s Handball Championship, together with North Macedonia and Montenegro.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon responded to the accusations made in the interpellation submitted by the Slovenian Democratic Party deputies upon the recall of Mr Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s Ambassador to the USA. Minister Fajon won the confidence vote by 52 votes.

In today’s session, the Government adopted the initiative to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, and set out the text of the draft Accessibility of products and services to disabled persons Act. It also began a discussion concerning the Draft Act amending the Trade Act.

Today, Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted a consultation with the ministers and coalition deputies.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob hosted Milena Zupančič at a lunch and congratulated her on the Metod Badjura Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinema, which she received at this year’s Festival of Slovenian Film.

The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November. The aim of the conference is to re-energise the global ambition to scale up climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and to mobilise adequate financing for climate action.

Yesterday and today, Danijel Bešič Loredan, the Minister of Health, is on a working visit to Brussels, during which he met the representatives of the European institutions.

State Secretary Marko Štucin paid a bilateral visit to Budapest during which he met Minister of Justice of Hungary Dr Judit Varga, State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Justice Dr János Bóka and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Levente Magyar.

Data from the latest European Patent Office survey highlights the gender gap in innovation, with women accounting for only 13.2% of European inventors listed in patent applications. At 17.4%, Slovenia ranks slightly above the European average.

At the sessions of both government committees, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the decision to increase the scope of funds available in the Slovenian Regional Development Fund, opened new budget items to mitigate the consequences of price increases, agreed to the amendments to the proposed Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act and integrated several projects in the applicable Plan of Development Programmes for the 2022–2025 Period.

Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob visited Iskraemeco, a global technological company in Kranj, which offers smart solutions in energy and water management.

Matjaž Han, the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, received the delegation of the Republic of Korea led by the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea, Park Byeong-Seug. The meeting was intended to enhance economic cooperation between the countries and introduce the candidature of the Republic of Korea to organise World Expo 2030 in Busan.

On 11 October 2022, the Republic of Austria announced to the European Commission, the Parliament and the Member States that it would extend the border control at the internal Schengen border with Slovenia for the period from 12 November 2022 to 11 May 2023. The reasons cited include an increase in migration flows, including due to visa policies in the Western Balkans, and an increase in secondary migration due to the current situation at the EU's external border, as well as due to the activities of organised groups of smugglers.

The new issue of the News from Nuclear Slovenia is published.

State Secretary Marko Štucin took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Central European Initiative hosted by the Bulgarian CEI Presidency in Sofia. The meeting focused on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and the broader consequences of the war, which is having a profound negative impact on all CEI Member States. The ministers and state secretaries expressed their continued support for Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea Park Byeong-seug. The meeting was devoted to discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Korea.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Slovenian national community in Austria as part of her regular contacts with Slovenians abroad. The discussion focused on outstanding issues concerning the situation of the Slovenian national community in Austria.

At today's correspondence meeting, the government amended the draft state budget for 2024, which provides additional funds for investments in road and sports infrastructure, while leaving total revenue and expenditure unchanged. It also adopted its position on the updating of the Energy Charter Treaty.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with representatives of the Slovenian national community in Italy. The meeting, which was aimed at exchanging views on current issues concerning the situation of the Slovenian national community in Italy, is part of the Minister’s regular dialogue with Slovenians living abroad.

At the end of October, the Government Office for Digital Transformation started implementing three projects intended to raise the level of digital competences among the young and older generations. The projects implemented together with partner organisations focused on primary and secondary school students and older residents of rural areas of Slovenia.

According to preliminary data, the state budget recorded approximately EUR 10.3 billion in revenue in the first ten months of the year, which is EUR 1.3 billion or 14.2% more than in the same period last year. Expenditure decreased by EUR 779 million or 7.3% year-on-year to approximately EUR 10.6 billion, with the budget recording a total deficit of approximately EUR 283 million in the first ten months.

During his visit to Japan from 26 to 31 October 2022, Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič met with Secretary of State Takahiro Inoue, with whom he discussed further cooperation between the two countries on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and Japan.

Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko today paid a visit to the region of Kozjansko. As part of the visit, the minister and the mayors of the municipalities of Šmarje pri Jelšah, Podčetrtek and Kozje signed contracts on the co-funding of castle renovation projects worth more than EUR 3.6 million, which are included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

In Montevideo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met with Carolina Ache Batlle, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. During their talks, the two high officials expressed interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

Nominations related to the traditions of Lipizzan horse breeding and beekeeping in Slovenia have received a positive assessment by the Evaluation Body of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A decision on inscription on the list will be made at the end of November.

We, Slovenians, are who we are because of our language. Without the Slovenian language, there would be no Slovenians. Without it, there would be no Slovenia. We celebrate Reformation Day to remind ourselves that the standard Slovenian language is the foundation of our statehood. And we owe this, above all, to Primož Trubar, the Protestant priest from Rašica, who founded our language with the first Slovenian book, the Catechism (Katekizem), and the Abecedarium (Abecednik), which was dedicated »to all young and ordinary people«.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon met Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic Santiago Cafiero in Buenos Aires. They discussed the strengthening and development of bilateral relations, cooperation in the framework of international organisations, topical global and regional issues and the strengthening of relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Due to the Reformation day the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia will be closed on 31 October.

Transgender persons are no longer to be exposed to involuntary disclosure of transgender identity in the local environment.

On October 21, 2022, the Office for Slovenes Abroad published a Public Tender for tender area B in 2023 - financial support for Slovenes around the world.

At today’s meeting by correspondence, the Government adopted the amended Decree on the salaries and other earnings of public employees working abroad and the amended Decree on salaries and other remuneration of service members of the Slovenian Armed Forces deployed abroad. The Government also adopted the opinion opposing the proposal for a consultative referendum on amending the Personal Income Tax Act.

European Commission endorsed today the Slovenian 2023-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan (SN SKP 2023–2027). This is the key agricultural policy strategic document, on which basis in the next programming period Slovenia is going to provide for long-term food security, green breakthrough, sustainable development of Slovenian agriculture, forestry, food industry, and sustainable rural development.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today visited the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the country's largest power plant. As the Prime Minister pointed out after visiting the worksite – the Krško NPP is undergoing an overhaul – the Krško NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Europe to complete a 10-year investment cycle on this scale, following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

The Government’s main guiding principle when adopting a series of measures against price increases is concern for everyone. The Government is aware that swift and decisive action is required at this time of high energy costs resulting from the economic recovery after the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.