News

Prime Minister Janez Janša today tweeted that he had just finished a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with the new US Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Jamie Lindler Harpootlian.

Prime Minister Janez Janša and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote a letter on the issue of Ukranian European Perspective to the President of European Council Charles Michel and all members of the European Council.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today held a working meeting with the heads of competent institutions to assess foreign policy, security and cyber risks for Slovenia in light of Russia's aggressive moves towards Ukraine.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved ERDF funding for the call for proposals Incentives for innovative start-ups in 2022 (P2 2022). The purpose of the call is to support entrepreneurship, notably by facilitating the transfer of development ideas into market-successful ventures and by supporting the creation of new innovative enterprises with growth potential.

State Secretary Aleš Irgolič attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels. Ministers exchanged views on better coherence between the Green Deal, the common agricultural policy and trade policy to ensure the transition to sustainable food systems. In the afternoon, they discussed the Regulation on the making available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. They also discussed the situation in agricultural markets. On the Austrian initiative supported among others by Slovenia, the Council held a debate on a fair income for farmers. In the margins of the Council, State Secretary Irgolič participated in a working meeting of the 4Forests initiative, which brings together forestry ministers from Finland, Sweden, Austria and Slovenia.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in the regular General Affairs Council session in Brussels. The discussion focused on preparations for the European Council meeting to be held on 24 and 25 March as well as strengthening the EU’s resilience, response capacity and preparedness to future crises. The General Affairs Council also held a hearing on the rule of law in Poland under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union. The members of the Council exchanged views on the activities under the Conference on the Future of Europe.

At the extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), the EU foreign affairs ministers took forward the debate they opened at the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council a day before. The security situation in Eastern Europe was further exacerbated following the decision by Russian President Putin to recognise two self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on 21 February 2022.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) convened by Poland’s Chairmanship of the organisation in response to the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation Putin to recognise the “independence” of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This decision violates international law and the OSCE’s fundamental principles.

Prime Minister Janez Janša and President Borut Pahor met today to discuss the current security situation related to the developments on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar participated in the first Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was hosted by France as part of its Council Presidency programme. The foreign ministers of the EU member states and countries in Southeast Asia explored ways to step up cooperation. The main topics of the Forum were: the security situation, global challenges (climate, the environment, health, the oceans), and connectivity and digital issues.

Slovenia strongly condemns the decision by President Putin to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities. These hostile measures are a flagrant violation of international law and obligations contained in the Minsk agreements, and will not remain without consequences.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

As of 19 February 2022, restrictions due to Covid-19 no longer apply when entering Slovenia.

Health pass no longer mandatory, reading room no longer limited to 8 users.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs attended the Development Council of the Pomurje Region online event where she presented the activities regarding the Partnership Agreement for the period 2021-2027 and the Programme for the implementation of the European Cohesion Policy in the period 2021-2027.

Between 18 and 20 February 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended the Munich Security Conference, which was marked by debates on the heightened security situation in and around Ukraine. The highest representatives of states and international organisations were united in expressing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, condemning the actions of the Russian Federation that endangers Ukrainian, European and international security.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has issued the Ordinance repealing the Ordinance of determining the conditions for entry into the Republic of Slovenia for the purpose of containment and control of the infectious disease COVID-19. The Ordinance enters into force on 19 February 2022.

Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the European Union–African Union summit in Brussels on Thursday, 17 February 2022, and on Friday, 18 February 2022. This was the sixth summit in a row. The first summit between the two Unions took place in 2000 in Cairo (Egypt) and the one before the current one in 2017 in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

Today, European leaders continued with the European Union–African Union Summit, attended by Prime Minister Janez Janša.

As announced in the video address of the Ambassador of Slovenia in Tokyo, H.E. Dr. Ana Polak Petrič, and the Ambassador of Japan to Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Hiromichi Matsushima, this year marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Slovenia and Japan.

The two Ministers exchanged views on the work of the Government Office for Digital Transformation and the Japanese Digitisation Agency and assessed that there are many similarities and opportunities to share good practices.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended an informal European Council meeting in Brussels, where, together with European leaders, he discussed the current situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia, as well as the intensified security conditions due to Russian forces assembling near and in Ukraine.

On the second day of the visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister Jože Podgoršek met with the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Ms Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri. The ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the ministries in the field of sustainable development and food systems. "The signing of the Memorandum marks a new political step towards better cooperation between our two countries in sustainable food production and the promotion of Slovenian food in UAE," said Minister Podgoršek. Minister Podgoršek attended today the region's largest speciality food fair Gulfood together with the representatives of Slovenian agri-food companies and the Chamber of Agricultural and Food Enterprises of Slovenia.

As announced in the video address of the Ambassador of Slovenia in Tokyo, H.E. Dr. Ana Polak Petrič, and the Ambassador of Japan to Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Hiromichi Matsushima, this year marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Slovenia and Japan.

On the 16th of February 2022, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable)/A (stable)/AA- (stable) reopened its 2.250% March 2032 (Mar-32) and 0.4875% October 2050 (Oct-50) by total of €750mn. Reopening size of the Mar-32 was €350mn, totalling to €2.7bn issue size after reopening. Reopening size of the Oct-50 was €400mn accumulating to €1.65bn issue size after reopening.

The Republic of Slovenia announces the cash tender results of the Euro denominated notes of the tender that expired on 15 February 2022.

Political Director and Director-General for Common Foreign and Security Policy Jernej Müller met with Director-General of the Directorate for Bilateral Relations with European Countries Belevski and Director-General for EU Sejfula in the framework of political consultations between Slovenia and North Macedonia.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA-(stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, Deutsche Bank, Erste Group and J.P. Morgan to lead manage a reopening of the SLOREP benchmarks due in March 2032 and October 2050. The transaction will be Regulation S in dematerialized registered form. The deal is expected to launch today, subject to market conditions.

Prime Minister Janez Janša yesterday attended a working dinner in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussion at dinner centred around the situation in the Sahel, which included an informal exchange of views on further engagement of EU member states whose armed force are deployed in Mali and the Sahel.

Minister Jože Podgoršek begins today a working visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The first day of the visit was devoted to supporting Slovenian companies and promoting business cooperation between the two countries with a view to enable the Slovenian food industry to break into the United Arab Emirates market. "Today, we are seeking new business opportunities on these markets together with a delegation from the Slovenian food-processing and beverage industry. Slovenia offers first-class products. We follow very strict European rules for food safety and quality along the entire agri-food chain. Natural and structural conditions largely dictate the orientation of the agricultural production. In recent years, more and more Slovenian producers decide to take on organic food production," stressed Minister Podgoršek.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated via videolink in a hybrid ministerial meeting on the “Horn of Africa Initiative” organised by Kenya (the chair of the Horn of Africa Initiative) and the European Union in cooperation with the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended the virtual side event “Empowering young people as change-makers in the water sector” organised by Slovenia as part of the Africa-Europe Week.

On the 30th anniversary of Australia’s recognition of Slovenia’s independence and establishment of diplomatic relations, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held a video conference call with Australian Deputy Secretary Katrina Cooper. Their talks focused on current international and bilateral issues.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.

The Government today paid a working visit to the Primorsko-notranjska region, which comprises the municipalities of Bloke, Cerknica, Ilirska Bistrica, Loška dolina, Pivka and Postojna. To round off the visit, the Government delegation attended a public debate in Pivka, where they also answered questions raised by mayors, entrepreneurs and other actors of regional development.

Today, according to the programme planned for the Prime Minister, State Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Jelka Godec, was on a visit to the Primorsko-notranjska statistical region, comprising the municipalities of Bloke, Cerknica, Ilirska Bistrica, Loška dolina, Pivka and Postojna.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar met in Riyadh today with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih, and Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed Al Jadaan. In their talks, they focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Saudi Arabia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for a new park and ride in Kranj. EU funding invested in park and ride schemes has so far resulted in altogether 1,614 parking spaces across Slovenia, of which 56 will be provided in the newly constructed Kranj park and ride facility by September this year.

At the end of the second phase of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regional programme for Southeast Asia, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan participated in the Ministerial Conference of the OECD and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in Seoul. On the margins of the meeting, he met with Yeo Seung-Bae, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and his Deputy Pornpimpol Kanchanalak.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in the hybrid ministerial meeting of the Media Freedom Coalition (Coalition) via video-conference link.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who visited Slovenia last November. Minister Logar also held a courtesy meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al Thani. Discussions were centred on enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Janez Janša wrote on the social network Twitter today: "We have successfully avoided #coronavirus for two years. Yesterday, both boys tested positive with the self-test; my test result was negative. Today, unfortunately, I tested positive too. With all the classic symptoms. For now, they are mild. Let’s hope it stays that way."

Announcement of the Republic of Slovenia Cash Tender Offer on EUR and USD denominated Notes

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan met with the Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the German Foreign Ministry Anna Lührmann in Berlin. The main topic of the discussion was the strengthening of bilateral relations in the light of the strategic dialogue between the two countries and the continuation of constructive cooperation on European affairs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended the official ceremony on the occasion of the Slovenian National Day at the Expo 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai and visited the Slovenian Pavilion. He also met with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.

Dear citizens of Slovenia, fellow Slovenian women and men,
Dear fellow Slovenians abroad, dear friends

Board of Directors of the Prešeren Fund annually announces recipients of the highest state awards for artistic achievements on December 3, on this Joyous Day, when several cultural institutions throughout Slovenia open their doors to celebrate the birthday of France Prešeren. The awards ceremony is then held on February 7, on the eve of Prešeren Day, a Slovenian cultural and national holiday, when we mark the anniversary of the death of the Slovenian poet.

Prime Minister Janez Janša and his wife Urška Bačovnik Janša attended the Prešeren Prize and Prešeren Fund Prize ceremony and the celebration marking Slovenian Cultural Day.

Prime Minister Janez Janša took questions from his followers on Instagram who wanted to know, among other things, what his favourite sport is, which film he likes most and how he deals with the daily attacks from the media. He also received many words of praise, appreciation and encouragement.

The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry of the Italian Republic, Stefano Patuanelli, paid a visit to Slovenia at the invitation of his Slovenian counterpart, Jože Podgoršek. The two ministers discussed topics of mutual interest. After the meeting, they attended the unveiling ceremony of a monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Zvonimir Simčič, the father of Rebula wine and for many years the director-general of the Goriška Brda Cooperative Wine Cellar. The honorary speaker at the event was the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor.

The press conference on the current COVID-19 situation was attended by the deputy head of the Communicable Disease Centre at the National Institute of Public Health, Nuška Čakš Jager, who presented the current situation on COVID-19 cases in the world, Europe and Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Energy-saving renovation of the Residential Care Home of dr. France Bergelj Jesenice. The project will receive Cohesion Fund support.

Prime Minister Janez Janša talked to journalist Andrea Romoli on the television channel Rai 2 about the current situation in Ukraine, the EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, and the state of relations between Italy and Slovenia.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with a member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Art, Dr Igor Emri. The meeting is a follow-up to the debate held on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is on an official visit to Slovenia.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anže Logar, is hosting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkçvičs. Their discussions were aimed at enhancing cooperation between Slovenia and Latvia within the framework of the European Union and NATO.

Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs attended the two-day informal meeting of EU home affairs ministers in Lille, France. The key topics of the meeting were the reform of Schengen and progress in shaping a common EU migration policy.

In February 2022, Slovenia and Portugal celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Portugal recognised the independence of Slovenia on 15 January 1992, and diplomatic relations were established on 3 February 1992.

As part of his visit to Serbia, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan met with Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Marta Morgan emphasised excellent bilateral relations between the two countries since Canada's recognition of the Republic of Slovenia three decades ago.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the leadership of the Association of Societies of Blind and Partially Sighted People of Slovenia. The meeting focused on the activities of the Association and the current challenges faced by the blind and partially sighted in Slovenia.

Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the Bank of Slovenia today. The visit was part of the celebration of 30th anniversary of the Bank of Slovenia, and the Prime Minister received a gold medal issued on the occasion. The Bank of Slovenia was established on 25 June 1991 with the adoption of the Bank of Slovenia Act. Its first task was to establish an independent currency – the tolar.

At the 29th regular session of the National Assembly today, Prime Minister Janez Janša answered parliamentary questions put to him by Branko Simonovič (Desus) on the adoption of implementing regulations based on the Long-Term Care Act, Zmago Jelinčič Plemeniti (SNS) on the current situation in the Republic of Slovenia, Janja Sluga (non-affiliated deputies) on the amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act, and Mojca Žnidarič (Konkretno) on Slovenia’s international rankings.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held talks with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia, Freddy Mamani Machaca via video conference, expressing thanks once again for Bolivia’s recognition of Slovenia’s independence on 28 January 1992.

The reading room and information room will be closed on February 7th, 2022.

The Republic of Slovenia issued an open call for the 2022 Golden Bee Award. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia has issued an open call to citizens, legal entities or other organisations for candidates for the 2022 Golden Bee Award, which is awarded by the Golden Bee Award Committee

The Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, the Director of the Postojna Primary Health Care Centre, Irena Vatovec, and paediatrician Denis Baš attended a press conference on COVID–19 updates.

At today's press conference after the Government session, Prime Minister Janez Janša and Deputy Prime Ministers Zdravko Počivalšek and Matej Tonin discussed the adopted emergency measures to aid the citizens and the economy in light of high energy prices.

Published below is an interview with Prime Minister Janez Janša for the magazine Grosupeljski Odmevi. The interview was conducted by the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Brane Petrovič.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the call for proposals E-care at home, which will be launched by the Ministry of Health. The funding for the call comes from the European Social Fund under the React-EU initiative.

The press conference on the current COVID-19 situation was attended by the COVID-19 hospital bed coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Dr Robert Carotta, Head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Fever Conditions, Dr Tatjana Lejko Zupanc, Medical Director of the Murska Sobota General Hospital, Dr Manuela Kuhar Makoter, and Director of the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Tjaša Žohar Čretnik.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the leadership of the Heraldica Slovenica association. The meeting with the Prime Minister was attended by Aleksander Hribovšek, the president of the association, and Anže Hobič, a member of the association's executive board. They discussed the association's work, the role it has in Slovenian society and the proposal for the national symbols act that was drafted by the association to regulate this field in a more systematic and transparent manner.

On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a memorial wreath was laid on behalf of Prime Minister Janez Janša at the Jewish cemetery in Ljubljana, which is located at the Ljubljana Žale Cemetery. The wreath-laying ceremony took place in the presence of the Guard of Honour of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

Today, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia visited the Posavje region, which consists of the municipalities of Bistrica ob Sotli, Brežice, Kostanjevica na Krki, Krško, Radeče and Sevnica.

Today, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia paid a working visit to the Posavska region, which consists of the municipalities of Bistrica ob Sotli, Brežice, Kostanjevica na Krki, Krško, Radeče and Sevnica. At the end of the visit, members of the Government attended a public forum and answered questions from mayors, businesspeople and other actors of development in the region.

As part of the government visit to the Posavje region, Prime Minister Janez Janša in a statement to the media, following a consultation and a meeting at the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor, stressed that Posavje is a region of many distinguishing characteristics, which has managed to catch up with the Slovenian average in terms of development.

For many years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Slovenian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) have supported, and actively contributed to, remembrance, research, and education on the Holocaust.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs attended an online business breakfast where the participants discussed grants for businesses in 2022.

Prime Minister Janša today hosted the traditional New Year's reception for diplomatic corps at Brdo pri Kranju together with the President of the Republic, Borut Pahor. Prime Minister Janša also delivered an address for the diplomats that attended the reception. The diplomatic corps at the reception were also addressed by the President of the Republic, Borut Pahor, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Msgr Jean-Marie Speich.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Brazil’s recognition of the Republic of Slovenia, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held an audio-video conference with Ambassador Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega, Secretary of Bilateral Negotiations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa at the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan attended the first session of the General Affairs Council after the conclusion of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in Brussels. At the beginning of the session, he expressed support to the French Presidency for the guidelines for the work of the General Affairs Council in the first half of 2022 and advocated for the ambitious continuation of work of the Conference on the Future of Europe. He also called for further coordinated action of EU member states in facing the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed the commitment of the EU to the enlargement process and strengthened cooperation with the Western Balkans.

The press conference on the current COVID-19 situation was attended by the deputy head of the Communicable Disease Centre at the National Institute of Public Health, Nuška Čakš Jager, and State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Franc Vindišar.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar today attended the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, led by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The meeting focused on the situation in Syria, Libya and Eastern Europe. The ministers exchanged views with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the situation at the Ukrainian-Russian border via video link.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan held an audio-video discussion with Deputy Foreign Minister of Argentina Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Argentina’s recognition of the Republic of Slovenia on 16 January 1992.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan attended the third Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe in Strasbourg. The discussion centred on the recommendations put forward by European Citizens’ Panels on European democracy, values and rights, the rule of law, security, climate change, environment and health, and on the related recommendations adopted by the national European Citizens’ Panels. On the eve of the session, the working groups met and held preparatory discussions. State Secretary Dovžan participated in the Working Group on “European democracy”.

Mateja Logar, head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, and Janez Tomažič from the Clinic for Infectious Diseases at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana took part in a press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19.

Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs attended a two-day conference on border management in Vilnius. Participants addressed the issue of the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes and discussed common measures to strengthen surveillance at the EU's external borders in the face of increased migration flows. On the margins of the event organised by the Interior Ministers of Austria, Greece, Lithuania and Poland, the participants visited a border surveillance centre and were updated on the situation at the external border.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan held a video conference call with Uruguay Deputy Foreign Minister Carolina Ache Battle. The discussion was aimed at assessing relations between the two countries on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Uruguay’s recognition of Slovenia’s independence.

As part of the Slovenian delegation visiting the Expo 2020 in Dubai, State Secretary Anton Harej attended the presentation of the Slovenian wood industry.

State Secretary Dr. Stanislav Raščan held a video conference call with Acting Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Chile Carolina Valdivia, stressing that Slovenia will be forever grateful to Chile for recognising Slovenia's independence on 16 January 1992 – only a day after a number of European countries recognised it as well.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the representatives of automotive companies united in the GREMO consortium.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy (GODC) and the company ZaVIta held an audio-video conference with those giving opinions regarding the strategic environmental impact assessment (SEIA) in drafting the national European Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 Programme.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held bilateral consultations in Bratislava with Martin Klus, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and took part in a discussion on the future of Europe with student from a bilingual high school.

The press conference on the current COVID 19 situation was attended by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health Franc Vindišar and the Director of the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Tjaša Žohar Čretnik.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with Bogdan Gabrovec, President of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia. At the meeting, the two interlocutors reviewed the state of play in the field of systemic state support to Slovenian sports.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the management representatives of the Firefighting Association of Slovenia. The Firefighting Association of Slovenia was entrusted by the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF) with the implementation of the Firefighting Olympics (International Fire Brigade Competitions), which will take place in Celje this year.

Minister Jože Podgoršek attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels. It was the first Council meeting under the French Presidency. The meeting focused on the presentation of the French Presidency's programme in agriculture, food safety, fisheries and forestry, the presentation of the Commission's Communication on sustainable carbon cycles, the situation on agricultural markets and trade-related issues.

Prime Minister Janez Janša had an interview for the Indian national television Doordarshan.

Prime Minister Janez Janša has given an interview for the India's newspaper The Economic Times. In the interview, conducted by journalist Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, topics such as cooperation between Slovenia - India and bilateral relations were discussed.