News

A meeting of the Steering Committee of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), established earlier this year in Podgorica by Slovenia, France and Montenegro, is taking place today in Ljubljana.

Following a deferral veto by the National Council, the National Assembly reconsidered and supported the amendment to the Implementation of the Budget for 2023 and 2024 Act. In its response to the submitted veto, the Government emphasized that the adopted budget revision enables adequate financing of all highlighted areas while ensuring the long-term sustainability of public finances.

On Thursday, 8 June, the 11th International Military Exercise Adriatic Strike 2023 was presented to the professional public at the Jernej Molan Barracks at Cerklje ob Krki Airport.

On the occasion of the upcoming National Day of Slovenia, the Embassy in Copenhagen prepared a reception for the Slovenian community and friends.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Marko Štucin today attended the 15th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean University EMUNI in Piran, organised by the President of EMUNI, Prof. Dr Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry.

The Government adopted the proposal for the Healthcare Digitalisation Act, instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure to continue procedures to improve air connectivity, including possible integration with existing airlines, and took note of the information on the activities of the Ministry of Defence for the withdrawal of the Republic of Slovenia from the Boxer programme.

Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar is attending the Home Affairs Ministers Council meeting in Luxembourg. The main topics of today's meeting, as highlighted by the Minister in a press statement, are the Migration and Asylum Pact and the situation in the Schengen area.

The Minister for Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan attended the Bled Water Festival, at which he spoke about the importance of water as a key commodity for life. Slovenia is rich in water resources, and its mission is to manage them in a comprehensive way, with the aim of protecting them and using them sustainably, thereby preserving them for future generations.

Below is the message delivered by Prime Minister Robert Golob on the occasion of the national holiday in honour of Primož Trubar.

The Government adopts its opinion on the proposal by Members of the Parliament on the construction of the C0 connecting canal and gives its consent to the amendments to the Draft Resolution on the National Drug Programme 2023–2030.

Prime Minister Robert Golob received Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a world-renowned spiritual teacher, humanitarian leader and ambassador of peace, who was on a visit to Ljubljana.

It is because of the importance of the oceans to our planet and the importance of protecting and preserving them that the United Nations has declared 8 June World Oceans Day.

At the government committee sessions, the Government agreed, among other things, on an amendment to the draft act amending the Judicial Service Act, adopted an opinion on the request of the National Council for a reconsideration of the amendment to the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia Budget Act, and adopted the Eco Fund's Business and Financial Plan for 2023.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and Minister for Slovenians in Neighbouring Countries and Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon met with representatives of the Slovenian national community in Austria.

Prime Minister Robert Golob commented on today’s election of Slovenia as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 period, saying that: "Today in New York, Slovenia has achieved one of its greatest successes in international diplomacy.

In the context of maintaining regular dialogue and good cooperation, Prime Minister Robert Golob and President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar met for a working lunch.

New York - Today, Slovenia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term. "The whole of Slovenia can today celebrate our unexpected success: 153 countries voted for us in the first round. The election to the UN Security Council is a great achievement of our foreign policy and a great day for Slovenia. I am happy and proud that we were supported by almost the entire country, which proves that the candidacy is truly national achievement," said the minister Tanja Fajon after successful elections.

On this year's World Bee Day, Ambassador Mihael Zupančič visited a Danish organic beekeeper Mr Peter Sjøgren in Hillerød, 40 km north of Copenhagen.

The State Secretary for Intergenerational Dialogue and Housing Policy, Nataša Sax, and Simona Pirnat Skeledžija from the Office of the Prime Minister received representatives of the Deafblind Association of Slovenia, DLAN, and professionals working in the field.

Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has issued the first grant decision under Slovenia’s Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 approving 13 million euros for the project “Project learning for young adults” (PUM-O+), which will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The first funds will be allocated to young people aged 15-29.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, hosted the first meeting of mayors of Slovenian municipalities with the aim of strengthening constructive dialogue and partnership between municipalities and the Government.

The Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, attended a ceremony to award membership certificates to new full, associate, and affiliate members of the Slovenian Academy of Engineering. The membership certificates were awarded to 31 distinguished Slovenian and foreign engineers who contribute to the progress of society with their knowledge.

The clients are kindly requested to arrange a time slot to approach the Embassy well in advance.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Irena Šinko met today with the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.

In Chișinău, Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the second meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), hosted by the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs in Oslo. On the first day, State Secretary Žbogar, together with ministers of foreign affairs, attended the ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attack that happened in Norway on 22 July 2011. On the second day, he represented Slovenia at the informal ministerial meeting.

State Secretary Marko Štucin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Brkić held bilateral political consultations in Ljubljana. The consultations focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards Europe and the necessity to implement reforms to open accession negotiations with the EU.

At yesterday's session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia approved the proposals of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs for contributions to international organisations for development cooperation and humanitarian aid (2023–2025).

As of June 1st, 2023, the management of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia is taken over by Dr Andrej Nared. Upon his personal request Dr Bojan Cvelfar, who managed the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia for the last decade, steps down from his role as the director. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia dismissed Dr Cvelfar from his position and appointed Dr Andrej Nared as the new acting director of the Archives.

The Government has agreed on the text of the proposed Act Amending the Higher Vocational Education Act and submitted it to the National Assembly for consideration under the shortened procedure. The Government also adopted the Medium-Term Defence Programme of the Republic of Slovenia 2023–2028.

"Our main promise we gave to the people when we were elected was that we would live in a normal country again. That means a functioning rule of law, democracy and an open society. We have delivered on that promise," Prime Minister Robert Golob said on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the Government. Together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Tanja Fajon and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Luka Mesec, they summarised the work of the Government so far.

Minister Irena Šinko attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The presidency informed the ministers on the proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste and the ministers discussed the situation of the market for agricultural products following the war in Ukraine. There was also a discussion on current practices related to the marketing of frozen products and the need for enhancing tools and strategies for a systemic management and response to the growing risks in agricultural markets.

The May meeting of the EU General Affairs Council focused on preparations for the European Council meeting to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 June and, under the Article 7 TEU procedure, on the state of the rule of law in Poland and Hungary.

The celebration of World Bee Day in Kalmthout Arboretum was co-organised by the Slovenian Embassy in Belgium with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. State Secretary Tatjana Buzeti and Ambassador Barbara Sušnik attended the event along with other guests. A bee tree was planted on the occasion.

After two weeks of intensive negotiations between nearly 300 experts in public international law and international criminal law, the MLA Conference adopted the Ljubljana-Hague Convention, which will enable countries to cooperate internationally in the investigation and prosecution of the most serious international crimes. It is also the first major treaty in the field of international criminal law since the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Prime Minister dr. Robert Golob visited the Ministry of Defence, where he was greeted with military honours.

On the margins of the diplomatic conference for the adoption of the MLA Convention, which ends today in Ljubljana, State Secretary Marko Štucin met with the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Iryna Mudra. Their discussions focused on the importance of ensuring accountability for war crimes.

Today, Prime Minister dr. Robert Golob received the European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, who is currently visiting member states.

Prime Minister Robert Golob and deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national communities, Felice Žiža and Ferenc Horváth, today formalised their cooperation by signing an agreement.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia Bojan Maricikj. They discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and Slovenia's continued support for North Macedonia's European integration path.

The government adopted a proposal for the amendment to the Pension and Disability Insurance Act and a resolution on pension indexation. It decided that the eligible costs of interventions during windstorms in north-eastern Slovenia are to be reimbursed to the municipalities.

The Slovenian Embassy in Addis Ababa is now open and is headed by the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Vesna Dolinšek. This is Slovenia’s second resident embassy in Africa, which will significantly strengthen Slovenia's political and economic relations with Ethiopia and countries in the wider region. It will also contribute to the accessibility of consular assistance to Slovenian citizens travelling in East African countries.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon paid the first official visit to Indonesia at the level of foreign minister since 2006. In Jakarta, she was received by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, with whom she discussed the strengthening of political and economic relations and EU-ASEAN relations. She also met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Minister Irena Šinko attended the 2023 Golden Bee Award ceremony. Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, presented the award to the winner. The third Golden Bee Award was awarded for research into bees and other pollinators. Among the 12 candidates, the Golden Bee Award Committee selected Dr Slobodan Davidović from Serbia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob addressed participants at today's opening of the Days of Intergenerational Coexistence. He said that the Government would adopt a package of measures to alleviate the hardships of pensioners.

The Minister of the Economy, Tourism, and Sports Matjaž Han, together with State Secretaries, mag. Dejan Židan and Vesna Humar from the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, visited the Slovenian national community in the Porabje region in Hungary. He was briefed on the state of the economy in the Porabje region and presented the substantive and financial support of the Ministry of the Economy for the economic and tourism activities of Slovenians in the Porabje region. Within a month, the Ministry will publish two calls for tenders with a total value of EUR 1.168 million.

At the meetings of the government committees, the Government, among other things, took a position on the tabled amendments to the draft revised budget for 2023, adopted positions on the opinions of the National Council on this year’s draft revised budget and on the proposal of the amendment to the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia Budget for 2023 and 2024 Act, and included three new bilateral development cooperation projects in the current 2023–2026 Development Programme Plan of the Slovenian budget in accordance with the amendment to the financing plan.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob attended the signing of a contract in Maribor on the co-financing of the investment “Construction of an Athletics Warm-up Track with the Reconstruction of the Existing Grandstand”, amounting to EUR 3 million.

In the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Minister Fajon met with her host, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. It was the first visit at the level of foreign minister and deputy prime minister in 17 years.

From 21 to 22 May the Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon payed a visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Fajon met with her host, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Prime Minister Phan Minh Chinh and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.