News

Slovenia recorded its third consecutive year of growth in patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024. With growth surpassing the EU average, a strong presence of women inventors and high adoption of the Unitary Patent, Slovenia continues to demonstrate a dynamic innovation environment and the significance of its expertise within the EU patent landscape.

Due to work on the transformer substation and a power outage, the Archives Reading Room and the Information Room will be open only until 15:30 on Wednesday 26 March 2025.

Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending the regular Spring European Council, where discussions will focus on competitiveness, including the issue of high energy prices, reducing administrative barriers, challenges in the automotive industry, and strengthening the overall resilience of the European Union. Leaders will also continue discussions on the situation in Ukraine and European defence.

At today's session, the Government adopted the draft amendment to the Game and Hunting Act, the Decision establishing the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Healthcare Quality and a framework for issuing green bonds. It also decided that the new regional hospital for Gorenjska will be located in Kranj.

On the occasion of World Water Day - 22 March - the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning (MNVP) organised an event to bring together connoisseurs and experts to share their views on the hydrological challenges posed by climate change and human interventions. Altered water runoff and sediment regimes are greatly increasing water-related risks and hazards.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran will be closed during Persian New Year holidays (Nowrooz) from 23 March to 24 March 2025.

Prime Minister Robert Golob was the keynote speaker at the closing session of the National Consultation on Strengthening the Resilience of the Republic of Slovenia today. The opening address was delivered by Vojko Volk, State Secretary for National and International Security at the Office of the Prime Minister.

At the invitation of the Polish Embassy, Petra Bezjak Cirman, Director of the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia, attended a meeting of representatives of the diplomatic corps of EU member states (EU HoMS). At the meeting, she presented activities aimed at raising awareness and increasing resilience against disinformation, foreign information manipulation, and interference. Information security is one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Robert Golob, hosted a working lunch for the President of the Portuguese Republic, Dr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who is on an official visit to Slovenia.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today hosted a meeting of ministers and deputies of the National Assembly from the parties of the government coalition at Brdo pri Kranju. The Coalition Summit reviewed past and planned activities to implement the following commitments: strengthening public healthcare, a sustainable pension system, housing for young people.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her Asian tour in India, where she participated in the Raisina Dialogue international conference and the Young Raisina Leaders event. She also met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and visited an education centre in Kolkata founded 17 years ago by a Slovenian woman and her husband.

Today, State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels. Foreign ministers discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and Syria, relations with Iran and EU-US relations. The FAC meeting was followed by Brussels IX Conference on “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition”, where Slovenia pledged a contribution of EUR 600,000.

On the basis of the Act on Aid to Ensure Enhanced Air Connectivity (hereinafter reffered as: the Act), a Public Tender for Enhanced Air Connectivity of Slovenia was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and the Official Journal of the European Union on 14. 3. 2025. In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 10 of the Act, the tender documentation is publicly published, however, the English translation is merely an information aid for foreign air carriers when preparing applications for aid.

The application for aid and Annexes must be submitted in Slovene language. Submission deadline is 14. 4. 2025 at 23.59

March is marked by the anticipation of spring. One of the holidays announcing its return is St Gregory's Day, the Slovenian version of Valentine's Day when birds get married.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today hosted a working meeting on the amendment to the Placement of Children with Special Needs Act (ZUOPP-1). The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education, experts in the field of education and representatives of organisations advocating for children with special needs and their families.

At today's session, the government adopted the draft Hospitality Act, which also includes regulations on short-term rentals. It also reviewed a presentation on the Winter Olympic Games, which will be held next year in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Bojan Kumer today met with the European European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra. The visit was an opportunity for an in-depth discussion about the new European Commission's priorities in the areas of clean transition, climate policies, and sustainable EU growth and
the Clean Industry Deal and upcoming legislative initiatives, among which the revision of the European Climate Law, announced by the Commission in the first quarter of this year, stands out.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the National Institute of Chemistry, where he was briefed on the Institute's activities and its prospects for further development. The presentation of the Centre for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy (CTGCT) was at the forefront.

Ministry of Digital Transformation and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Slovenia joins the countries that will play a key role in the future of AI in Europe. Under the EU's latest initiative, Slovenia will host one of six new AI factories, backed by a high-performance supercomputer. This is a strategic step towards the development of a state-of-the-art computing infrastructure that will strengthen research, innovation and digital sovereignty of Slovenia and Europe.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded a two-day official visit to Manila, the first visit by a Slovenian foreign minister to the country. On the second day, she was received by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. She also addressed the participants of the Slovenia-Philippines Business Forum and held a lecture and discussion with the students of the Far Eastern University.