At a ceremony held at the presidential palace, President Nataša Pirc Musar marked the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's membership in the EU and NATO by awarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and e Negotiating Team for Accession of Slovenia to the EU with the Golden Order of Merit. This recognition was given for their significant contributions to achieving these key foreign policy objectives.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today received Admiral Stuart Munsch, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and of the new Allied Joint Force Command in Naples. They discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the importance of NATO's KFOR mission for the stability of Kosovo and the wider region.

At the government committee meetings, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, among other things, adopted an opinion on the draft Declaration marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the European Union "At Home in Europe". It also included the project Major Maintenance of Halls of Residence for Secondary School Students 2024-2027 in the current Development Programme Plan for the period 2024-2027.

The Strategic Food Council and the Strategic Health Council held a joint meeting to discuss the starting points and options for changes in the taxation of unhealthy foods, sugary drinks, energy drinks, alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The Resolution on the national programme for the prevention and suppression of crime 2024–2028 paves the way to better civilian security. It is a fundamental guideline for formulating the Government’s national security policy.

On May 4, before the Europe Day, the European institutions opened their doors to visitors, who were able to visit long and complex corridors of the institutions and learn about everything the EU does for its citizens. The member states also presented themselves: Slovenia presented to around 10,000 visitors with its potica pastry and excellent athletes, who are true ambassadors of the Slovenian way of life.

In the first three days of May, most of Slovenia’s electricity consumption was covered by renewable energy sources, while on 4 May 2024, the electricity generated from renewables even exceeded daily consumption.

In late April, Brdo pri Kranju hosted a gathering of communications professionals from various EU member states, candidate countries, and European institutions. The event was organized jointly by the Government Communication Office and the Club of Venice. Participants delved into two key themes: tackling disinformation and the communication challenges posed by the EU's expansion into the Western Balkans.

Political consultations took place between Slovenia and Chile, which the Slovenian side represented by State Secretary Sanja Štiglic and Political Director/Director-General Mateja Norčič Štamcar. On the Chilean side, the consultations were headed by Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen Olivares, Secretary-General of the Chilean Foreign Ministry.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob joined young athletes at the opening of the long-standing Youth Sports Games. This year, for the first time, the Youth Sports Games are being held in Ljubljana, with children and young people competing in ten sports disciplines. Some sporting idols were among those present at the opening ceremony.

The archive reading room and information room will be open only until 12 noon on Thursday, May 9, due to the event.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon visited Israel and Palestine and met with senior officials on both sides. She called on Israel to abandon its plan to attack Rafah and suggested that both sides consider dialogue. She expressed the hope that the negotiations in Cairo would lead to a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.

Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič attended the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Ministers discussed the current challenges facing countries and possible approaches to address them with a view to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The fourth Golden Bee Award will be presented this year. The award committee received 16 applications from 11 countries for achievements in the promotion of bees and wild pollinators.

In the first half of 2004, the Presidency of the Council of the EU was held by Ireland, which organised the Day of Welcomes on 1 May 2004 in Phoenix Park, Dublin, for the new Member States. The late Irish Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney wrote a poem for the occasion, entitled Beacons at Bealtaine, which he also read at the event.

Twenty years have passed since Slovenia became a member of the European Union. The significant enlargement on May 1, 2004, was the result of our longstanding desire for positive change and the determination to become part of an advanced Europe.

Twenty years ago today, the European Union witnessed its largest enlargement in history, a process that demanded extensive preparations from both the Union and the ten countries of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. In the subsequent years, three more new Member States joined. From today's perspective, this wave of enlargement seems like a small miracle, as it is difficult to maintain the same pace of enlargement in the face of numerous global and domestic challenges.

In April, when Malta held the presidency of the UN Security Council, the focus was on the situation in Gaza and on emergency meetings following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and Iran's attack on Israel. An event was organised on the role of youth in addressing security challenges in the Mediterranean, an open debate on the Middle East and a vote on a resolution on Palestinian membership.

Dear citizens, dear residents of Slovenia and Slovenians at home and abroad, my sincere congratulations on May Day, Labour Day, which historically symbolises the struggle of workers for dignity, equality and fair working conditions.

Between June 6 and 9, 2024, citizens of the EU Member States will have a chance to elect new members of the 720-seat European Parliament. Elections of nine members from Slovenia will be held on Sunday, June 9. Slovenia elected its first members of the European Parliament on June 13, 2004, just a month and a half after its accession to the European Union. Let us see some of the documents related to this process.