News

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.