The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, today hosted the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, on a working visit. The meeting was aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and exchanging views on current European and foreign policy issues.

In Rome, State Secretary Štucin met with Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between Slovenia and Italy. He also participated in a meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans and presented a joint Slovenian-German initiative to improve the efficiency of decision-making in the enlargement process.

State Secretaries at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Damir Črnčec and at the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany Benedikt Zimmer signed today in Berlin a Programme Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany on the participation of the Republic of Slovenia in the procurement of IRIS-T SLM systems in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Joint Procurement of Air Defence Systems within the framework of the European Sky Defence Initiative.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, today met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ms Annalena Baerbock, who is on a working visit to Slovenia. They discussed in particular Bosnia and Herzegovina's further steps towards EU membership and the situation in the Middle East.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon hosts a visit by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The Ministers discussed the Slovenian-German strategic partnership, the importance of EU enlargement and reforms, and current foreign policy issues, in particular the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. They also agreed on the areas in which the two countries will further strengthen cooperation.

The 33rd session of the Slovenian-Bavarian Mixed Commission, Slovenia's oldest form of international cooperation, opened at Brdo pri Kranju. The Commission will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, and this session was dedicated to the preparations for this important event. The members of the Commission were introduced by State Secretary Marko Štucin.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the Berlin ministerial conference "A larger, stronger Union", hosted by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The discussions focused on how the EU and its future members can best prepare for enlargement, which has become a necessity in the new geopolitical reality.

State Secretary Marko Štucin and Slovenia's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Anžej Frangeš met with German Federal Government Special Representative for the Countries of the Wester Balkans Manuel Sarrazin, who is on a visit to Slovenia. In their talks, they exchanged views on the current situation in the region and the next steps in the EU enlargement process.

This year's Frankfurt Book Fair will be of special importance for Slovenia as its guest of honour. Slovenia is only the third Slavic country to feature as the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where it will appear under the motto "A Honeycomb of Words". Various exhibitions related to Slovenia and its literature and culture are also part of the rich cross-border programme. Three exhibitions were opened in the period between 14 and 17 September.

One of four semesters of the new international postgraduate study programme examining the physiology and medicine of humans in space and extreme environments will be implemented in Slovenia as part of the SpaceMed Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. The University of Caen Normandy (France), the Charité – University Medicine Berlin (Germany) and the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School (Slovenia) have joined forces in the programme.

State Secretaries Samuel Žbogar and Marko Štucin held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 18th Bled Strategic Forum. State Secretary Štucin participated in the panel on the EU’s decision-making role.

State Secretary Marko Štucin hosted Dr Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the German Federal Foreign Office, for consultations. Their meeting was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in the context of the strategic partnership between the two countries and at enhancing their bilateral cooperation on European affairs.

At the 59th Munich Security Conference, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in the Female Foreign Ministers’ meeting and roundtable discussions on climate change and EU enlargement. She also held a number of bilateral meetings. “I present Slovenia as an open and modern country and an excellent candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term”, the Minister said.

On 13 and 14 February 2023, the Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, was on a working visit to Berlin. During her visit, she met with the Minister of State for Culture and Media of the Federal Republic of Germany, Claudia Roth, attended a concert by the Slovenian Vocal Group Gallina featuring Aldo Kumar to celebrate the Slovenian cultural holiday, visited the Museum Europäischer Kulturen and the Aedes Architekturforum gallery, and met with Slovenian artists living in Berlin.

Minister Irena Šinko participated in the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) – the 15th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, titled: “Food Systems Transformation: A Worldwide Response to Multiple Crises”. The Agriculture Ministers’ Conference is attended by over 70 Ministerial Delegations from around the Globe, and representatives of the European Commission, the African Union, agricultural institutions and associations, and other international organisations. The event takes place within the International Green Week (IGW) that was opened for visitors on 20 January.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ms. Irena Šinko, participated in the official opening ceremony of the Berlin International Green Week (IGW), taking place from 19 to 29 January 2023. At the trade fair, Slovenia is presented as a green and ecological country (ecological + local = ideal).

State Secretary Marko Štucin held talks at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin with Minister of State for Europe and Climate Dr Anna Lührmann, State Secretary Andreas Michaelis and Director for Europe Sibylle Sorg. The meeting was aimed at identifying ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Slovenia and Germany, and also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on topical European and international themes.

At the invitation of German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon took part in the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Berlin Process. The focus was on energy security, the green agenda, the Common Regional Market, reconciliation in the region, and a positive perspective for young people in the Western Balkans.

"I am exceptionally pleased to be here on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and the Republic of Slovenia to announce Slovenia as the next Guest of Honour here at the Frankfurt Book Fair," said Minister of Culture, Dr Asta Vrečko, on today’s occasion of Slovenia’s official announcement as the Guest of Honour. The official acceptance of the title will be on Sunday, 23 October.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. One of the key topics addressed in their talks was the energy crisis related to the war in Ukraine and the resulting need to ensure energy security.