Slovenian flag flown in front of CERN

SLOVENIA, July 3 - Slovenia became the 25th full member of CERN on 21 June 2025. As full membership is a great honour, CERN marks the entry of each new member with a ceremony in which the national flag is flown. Among others, the ceremony was attended by Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Igor Papič, State Secretary for Science and Innovation and member of the CERN Council, Jure Gašparič, and Ambassador to Geneva, Anita Pipan. Other guests included representatives of higher education and scientific research institutions, the business community and politics.

"CERN is an excellent example of scientific cooperation across borders, and Slovenia has become part of this community," said CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti at the ceremony. The President of the CERN Council, Costas Fountas, welcomed the new full member in Slovenian: “Slovenija, dobrodošla v Cern!” (“Slovenia, welcome to CERN!”) He recalled the historical and current significance of CERN: "The scientific infrastructure and community were severely damaged during the Second World War. Scientists were moving out of Europe. However, a group of visionaries emerged who set themselves the goal of making Europe a scientific superpower once again, guided by science for peace. The year 1954 saw the foundation of CERN, which quickly became one of the most prestigious scientific research institutions in the world."

The importance of science for peace was also highlighted by Prime Minister Robert Golob: "Slovenia is joining CERN at a sensitive time. I believe that science is important for peace, which is why we must choose knowledge and invest in it. Knowledge connects rather than divides, which is why our country invests in it. We often hear that Europe is lagging behind, but standing here today, I can see that this is not the case. Slovenia is committed to supporting CERN, not only because you deserve our support, but also because we, as Europeans, need CERN."