News

Maja Ravnikar, director of the National Institute of Biology (NIB), and Robert Carotta, coordinator for hospital beds at the Ministry of Health, took part in a press conference on the current situation regarding the COVID-19 disease.

At today’s 67th extraordinary session of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Janez Janša spoke about the proposal for a Declaration on the Orientations for the Republic of Slovenia’s functioning in the European Union institutions for the period 2021–2024.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project “DRR Cycling routes in the municipality Ivančna Gorica”. The project, implemented in the framework of the Agreement for the Development of the Osrednjeslovenska Development Region, is worth a little over EUR 2 million and will receive over EUR 1 million of European Regional Development Fund support.

At today’s 67th extraordinary session of the National Assembly replied to oral questions put to him by Franc Jurša (DeSUS), Zmago Jelinčič Plemeniti (SNS), Tina Heferle (LMŠ) and Janja Sluga (SMC) on long-term care, harmonisation of pensions, vaccines, prosecutors and future government work.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar today attended a regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. In an informal video conference with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, the ministers addressed issues related to the protection and promotion of human rights and focused on the Southern Neighbourhood and EU-Turkey relations.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project “Jesenice Business Zone expansion – reconstructing transport infrastructure”. The project worth approximately EUR 1,1 million will be implemented by the Municipality Jesenice and will receive over EUR 610,000 of European Regional Development Fund support.

Dr Borut Štrukelj from the Faculty of Pharmacy in Ljubljana and President of Headmasters' Association Gregor Pečan participated at today’s press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 disease.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks this year’s World Water Day with the theme “Valuing Water” by launching a series of videos from different stakeholders about what water means to them. State Secretary Stanislav Raščan contributed an article on water for “EurActiv”. The Members of the Green Group, established on Slovenia’s initiative, have issued a joint statement. On 18 March, a high-level meeting on the “Implementation of the water-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda” was convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, which was also attended by President Borut Pahor.

This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination focuses on young people in the fight against racism. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, intolerance, and hate speech are unfortunately still present all around the world. In the last year, in particular, young people have demonstrated that they play an important role in combatting these harmful practices, for example by showing support for the “Black Lives Matter” movement, within which they have been actively pointing out the injustices based on race or colour.

Today, before the European Council meeting, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a videoconference with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, President of the Advisory Group at the Ministry of Health, Mateja Logar and Director of the NIPH, Milan Krek, to discuss the worrying trends of COVID-19, which move Slovenia’s regions closer to the red tier from day to day.

At its session on 18 March 2021, the Government appointed Gašper Dovžan, State Secretary at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a member of the Conference on the Future of Europe Executive Board.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today received the the mufti of the Islamic Community in the Republic of Slovenia, Nedžad Grabus.

Mateja Logar, head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, and Simona Repar Bornšek from the Ljubljana Medical Centre participated at today’s press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 disease.

The day after the European Medicines Agency declared the AstraZeneca vaccine safe and effective, vaccination with that vaccine was resumed in Slovenia.

On Friday, 19 March 2021, the Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik participated in the traditional meeting entitled Digital Day, which is attended annually by EU ministers responsible for digitisation.

Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Dr Rado Genorio, together with Jan De Haes, Chairman of the Arboretum Committee, and Abraham Rammeloo, Director of the Arboretum, today 19th of March 2021 ceremoniously planted Tetradium daniellii, bee tree.

As part of preparations for Slovenia's Presidency in the second half of 2021, the Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs and his delegation paid a two-day working visit to Brussels and The Hague. In Brussels, he met with the Director-General for Justice and Home Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Council Christine Roger.

The Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, presented the decision of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today met by video-conference with Italian senator and Northern League party leader Matteo Salvini and his colleagues.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today continued the discussion about fundamental challenges and key issues of the future of Europe that had begun on 5 March. The Conference on the Future of Europe, whose content is already being addressed by the Portuguese Presidency, will be one of the responsibilities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU as well.

Today's press conference on the current COVID-19 situation was attended by Milan Krek, Director of the National Institute of Public Health, Tjaša Žohar Čretnik, Director of the National Laboratory for Health, the Environment and Food, Deana Potza from the health inspectorate and Tomaž Pečjak, Deputy Director General of the Police.

Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Andrej Vizjak attended an on-line informal conference of EU environmental ministers, which held an exchange of views on the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, which was published by the European Commission in February. Ministers also debated the role of the Recovery and Resilience Plans for a Green Transition in conjunction with the European Semester and held a political debate on the Commission's proposal for a regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, following the goals of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The afternoon part of the session was attended by State Secretary Metka Gorišek, PhD.

Prime Minister Janez Janša: Today, even those who are not part of the governing coalition got a sense of the dilemmas the government is facing during the epidemic

Marta Grgič Vitek, the national coordinator of the vaccination programme at the NIPH, presented the results of vaccination in the country.

After yesterday's meeting of Prime Minister Janez Janša at the Bundeskanzleramt in Vienna with Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Bulgarian Prime Minister Bojko Borisov, Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, where the discussion focused on the distribution of vaccines among EU Member States, the six leaders held a videoconference today with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Out of 19 applicants from nine countries, the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) awards Mr Zvone Černelič from Slovenia for his outstanding contribution to the development of agricultural practice protecting the soil and the environment. This is the first time in 15 years that a Slovenian project has won this prestigious award.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended a working meeting in Vienna with Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to discuss the distribution of vaccines among EU member states. In addition to the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, the working meeting was attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Bulgarian Prime Minister Bojko Borisov, Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjanis Karinš (by video-link) and the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković (by video-link).

Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek participated in an informal videoconference of EU ministers responsible for consumer protection. The first part of the meeting was devoted to political debate on consumer policy and an exchange of views and experiences. In the second part of the meeting, Minister Počivalšek, at the request of the Portuguese Presidency, presented the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the area of consumer protection.

The press conference was attended by Bojana Beović, member of the advisory group for vaccinations at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), and Ada Hočevar Grom from NIJZ.

Today, Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs met with Michael O'Flaherty, the Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

Today, Minister Andrej Šircelj participated at an informal video conference of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN). Economic recovery in the European Union remains the most important subject of the discussions at the European level.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Cycling connection Krško – Sotelsko - Brestanica. Total cost of the project that will be implemented in the scope of the Agreement on the development of the Posavje region amounts to EUR 375,000; the project will receive over EUR 110,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

Today, at the invitation of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar is on a working visit in Kiev. In addition to his meeting with his host, Minister Kuleba, and in light of the preparations for Slovenia’s EU Council Presidency and the Eastern Partnership Summit, Minister Logar also met with Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov, and Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Yaşar Halit Çevik. During all these talks, the Minister expressed his full support for Ukraine’s reform endeavours on its path towards the European Union and NATO.

The Slovenian project, aiming to restore forests damaged by natural disasters and involving forest owners and Slovenia Forest Service as the main beneficiaries of the funds, was named as one of the 20 finalists out of 125 projects submitted for the European competition Rural Inspiration Awards 2021.

Today saw the third session of the Slovenian-Brazilian joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, held this time in virtual form. The Slovenian side of the Joint Commission was chaired by the Director-General for Economic and Public Diplomacy at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Iztok Grmek, and the Brazilian side by Ambassador Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega, Secretary of Bilateral Negotiations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Slovenia is suspending administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine pending Tuesday’s decision of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), said Minister of Health Janez Poklukar.

Mateja Logar, head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health; Marko Pokorn, medical director of the Pediatric Clinic of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana; and Mariča Lah, president of Slovenian Chamber of Commerce (TZS), participated at today’s press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 disease.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar and Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs today attended a joint virtual meeting of EU Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Ministers. The purpose of the session was to make progress in negotiating the pact on migration and asylum in the context of external aspects of migration, which is an important pillar of the European Union’s comprehensive migration policy. The ministers were in firm agreement that the underlying causes of migration should be addressed and partnership with third countries should be established. Progress is also needed with regard to the return and readmission of migrants.

The Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Andrej Vizjak, received on a courtesy visit H. E. Tiffany Sadler, Ambassador of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Slovenia.

Today we celebrate the World Consumer Rights Day. The following text presents consumer rights that fall under the remit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, and the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (a body within the Ministry).

Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a service to commemorate the deceased during the COVID-19 epidemic and express sympathy to their families. On 14 March 2020, the first flame of life expired due to COVID-19 in Slovenia. A mourning ceremony was held on the occasion of the first anniversary during which Slovenia paid tribute to the memory of all those who have died due to COVID-19 and expressed condolences and sympathy to their relatives.

Prime Minister Janez Janša was the guest of a talk show on Planet TV, in which he discussed the first anniversary of the current Slovenian government, the fight against the epidemic, the division in the Slovenian society, and the current political issues.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša addressed a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel concerning the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.

Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, accompanied by the delegation, participated at the informal videoconference of Home Affairs Ministers.

At today’s press conference at Brdo pri Kranju, Prime Minister Janez Janša, Deputy Prime Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, Matej Tonin, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Jože Podgoršek presented the achievements at the occasion of the first anniversary of this administration of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the priorities of work for the coming period.

At today’s press conference at Brdo pri Kranju, Prime Minister Janez Janša, Deputy Prime Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, Matej Tonin, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Jože Podgoršek presented the achievements on the occasion of the first anniversary of this administration of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the priorities of work for the coming period.

Prime Minister Janez Janša had a meeting today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, Arancha González Laya, who is on an official visit to Slovenia. The two discussed bilateral relations, which they assessed as very good, cooperative and amicable. They also discussed the current pandemic situation, the measures to curb the pandemic, the course of vaccination and efforts for a common approach to vaccination certificates.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today met with two representatives of OTB Bank, Chairman of OTP Bank’s Board of Directors Dr. Sándor Csányi and member of the Board of Directors László Wolf. The Prime Minister and the representatives discussed the state of the Slovenian and European economy, particularly the banking sector.

A press conference on the current situation regarding the COVID-19 virus was held today by Director of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), Milan Krek, Acting Director-General of the Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Vesna Kerstin Petrič, Director of the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Tjaša Žohar Čretnik, Deana Potza of the Health Inspectorate, and the head of the Department for General Security and Security Planning at the Uniformed Police Administration of the Slovenian Police, Alojz Sladič.

Today, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Anže Logar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain Arancha González Laya travelled to Slovenia for a working visit. The visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two Mediterranean European countries and exchanging views, which will play a vital role both before and during Slovenia's EU Council presidency in the second half of this year.

The government has decided to extend the state of epidemic by another 30 days effective as of 18 March. The government also adopted the Ordinance amending the Ordinance determining the conditions for entry into the Republic of Slovenia for the purpose of containment and control of the COVID-19 infectious disease.

Today, a Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe was signed by European Parliament President David Sassoli, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council. This paves the way to launching a series of debates and discussions that will enable people from every corner of Europe to share their ideas to help shape Europe’s future. The Conference’s first plenary session is scheduled for Europe Day on 9 May and closes next spring.

The epidemiological situation in Slovenia and abroad was presented by the deputy head of the Centre for Infectious Diseases at NIJZ, Nuška Čakš Jager.

Today, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan held a videoconference call with European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. Their talks took place in the context of preparations for Slovenia's EU Council Presidency in the second half of this year and were aimed at presenting the priority tasks in development cooperation and exchanging views on the development consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair advocated for regular dialogue and common action in the spirit of “Team Europe”, which is a key element of the EU's global response to the pandemic.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Southern cycle route in municipalities Beltinci and Črenšovci. The project budget stands at nearly EUR 1.1 million, of which half, i.e. almost EUR 550,000 comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

In today's phone conversation held on the initiative of the Algerian party, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Sabri Boukadoum discussed the possibilities of reinforcing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the Call for proposals for co-financing residential care facilities for seniors under the age of 65. The amount of funding made available under the call stands at nearly EUR 7 million, of which over EUR 5.5 million comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

Today’s press conference on the current situation with regard to COVID-19 was given by Nataša Kranjc, acting Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and Adult education, Fani Al Mansour, president of the Association of Secondary Schools and Student Dormitories of Slovenia and director of SIC Ljubljana, and Jelko Kacin, State Secretary, national logistics coordinator for the mass vaccination campaign against Covid-19.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the Call for co-financing the installation of small wind power plants. The total amount of funding available under the call stands at EUR 4 million and comes from the Cohesion Fund.

Between 5 and 12 March, the 14th NATO and PfP NCO Winter Camp is taking place at Pokljuka.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan today held a video call with US Deputy Assistant Secretary Molly Montgomery, who is responsible for relations with Western Europe and the European Union. In the context of the preparations for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will take place in the second half of 2021, the talks establish the basis for continuing the strategic dialogue between the countries

Today’s press conference on the current situation with regard to COVID-19 was held by Mateja Logar, head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, and professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ljubljana Borut Štrukelj.

In cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Ministry of Public Administration organised the Regional Forum for Europe on Meaningful Connectivity on 8 and 9 March 2021. At the event, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik, who wrote a blog post for ITU News prior to this event, held the opening address. Acting Director-General of the Information Society and Informatics Directorate Peter Grum also participated at the event's first session on the digital divide and inclusive connectivity in Europe.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Industrial Business Zone Cikava. The EUR 3.5 million development project which will be implemented by the Urban Municipality Novo mesto will receive a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund amounting to over EUR 1.7 million.

Blockchain Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Side Event to the UNECE Regional Forum 2021.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Renovation of apartments owned by Urban Municipality Kranj. The EUR 260,000 project which will be implemented by the Urban Municipality Kranj will receive a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund amounting to nearly EUR 155,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Expansion of industrial area in the Industrial Business Zone Lendava. The EUR 318,000 development project which will be carried out by Municipality Lendava will be supported by the European Regional Development Fund with a contribution of EUR 193,000.

Sophie In 't Veld (Renew / D66), who heads the Group for Monitoring Respect for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights within the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Rights, Justice and Home Affairs, has sent an invitation letter to the Prime Minister Janez Janša and Minister of Culture Vasko Simoniti for in camera exchange of views on the latest development in Slovenia in relation to Democracy, Rule of law and Fundamental Rights".

The Design Austria Gallery in Vienna’s Museum Quarter is hosting an exhibition of contemporary Slovenian design entitled The Future of Living, which brings together products of local origin and adheres to sustainable principles. It presents Slovenian creativity, highlighting the role of the cultural and creative industries as a driver of sustainable development. Its focus is also on the internationalisation of Slovenian design and on the search for entrepreneurial opportunities and international cooperation.

This afternoon’s press conference on the latest situation regarding COVID-19 was attended by Aleš Hojs, Minister of the Interior and Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

A press conference on the current situation regarding the COVID-19 virus was held by Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec, Tjaša Žohar Čretnik, Director of the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Deana Potza of the Health Inspectorate, and the head of the Department for General Security and Security Planning at the Uniformed Police Administration of the Slovenian Police, Alojz Sladič.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project COVID-19 – Hospital renovation to extend capacities of Ljubljana Intermediate Care Department. The EUR 5.6 million project will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and supported by the European Regional Development Fund, with the contribution standing at EUR 4.5 million. This is already the second investment in a series of REACT-EU investments made under the massive NextGenerationEU instrument which helps EU countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sophie In 't Veld (Renew / D66), who heads the Group for Monitoring Respect for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights within the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Rights, Justice and Home Affairs, has sent an invitation letter to the Prime Minister Janez Janša and Minister of Culture Vasko Simoniti for in camera exchange of views on the latest development in Slovenia in relation to Democracy, Rule of law and Fundamental Rights".

The Strategic Council for Foreign Affairs, headed by Foreign Minister Anže Logar, held its first meeting in its new composition today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the update of the current Slovenian Foreign Policy Strategy.

At the end of 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as UN World Wildlife Day. It has thus become the world’s most important annual event dedicated to wildlife and plant species. This year, World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Plane"’.

At the government press conference, Minister of Health Janez Poklukar presented the second version of the national COVID-19 vaccination strategy.

Minister Zdravko Počivalšek attended a virtual meeting of EU ministers responsible for trade, where they discussed the new medium-term trade strategy, which was published on 18 February. It sets out the political direction of the EU trade and investment policy for the upcoming years in estimating the contribution of the trade policy to a fast and sustainable recovery and to open strategic autonomy.

At today’s correspondence session, the Government adopted the second version of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy. The strategy was updated due to new circumstances relating to the course of vaccination. Priority vaccination groups were defined anew or in more detail in the strategy, including certain new vaccination locations. Furthermore, the possibility of storing vaccines, currently waiting on the completion of the registration procedure at the European Medicines Agency (EMA), was also defined.

On Monday, 1 March 2021, Prime Minister Janez Janša met the representatives of the company, Lek, d. d. Robert Ljoljo, President of the Management Board and President of Novartis AG in Slovenia, and Gregor Makuc, Head of Communications and External Engagement at Sandoz Slovenia, attended the meeting on behalf of the company, Lek, d. d.

At today’s 63rd extraordinary session of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Janez Janša responded to questions from deputies mag. Alenka Bratušek from SAB, Zmago Jelinčič Plemeniti from SNS, Marjan Šarec from LMŠ and Anja Bah Žibert from SDS about the effects of the adopted anti-crisis measures, reopening of catering establishments, government measures in the field of public finances, the national vaccination strategy, and measures for containing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating the consequences of the epidemic.

At the invitation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan today represented Slovenia in an international High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Situation in Yemen, in his capacity as Minister for Development Cooperation. He announced Slovenia’s additional contribution for humanitarian aid to the affected population in Yemen.

Minister Zdravko Počivalšek attended a video session of the Informal Ministerial Conference on European Tourism, a top-level debate. The Portuguese EU Council presidency convened a meeting at the initiative of some Mediterranean countries whose economies depend on tourism to improve the free movement of people within the EU's internal and external borders, as well as possible additional EU tools to help launch the EU tourism industry in the short and medium term.

At the press conference, Sanja Vuzem of the Maribor regional unit of the National Institute of Public Health spoke about the current confirmed case of the South African coronavirus strain in Slovenia.

In cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Ministry of Public Administration will hold the Regional Forum for Europe on Meaningful Connectivity on 8 and 9 March 2021. At the event, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik, who wrote a blog post for ITU News prior to this event, will hold the opening address. He expressed his thoughts on the development and progress of digitalisation in Slovenia and described how and where digital technology is used in Slovenia to combat the COVID-19 epidemic.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Promotion of entrepreneurship in the Goričko Natural Park. The EUR 1.2 million development project will be carried out by municipality Šalovci and will receive support from the European Regional Development Fund in the amount of EUR 570,000.

At Brdo pri Kranju today, Foreign Minister Anže Logar hosted the ministers of foreign affairs of the Central 5 initiative, namely, the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tomáš Petříček, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjárto, and the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Ivan Korčok.

At today's press conference, Minister of Health Janez Poklukar said that Slovenia has confirmed the first case of the South African coronavirus variant, detected in the Maribor area in a person who has returned from Africa. The Epidemiological Service traced all high-risk contacts and sent them into quarantine.

EU ministers responsible for research discussed today the links between recovery and resilience plans (RRF) and the European Research Area at an informal videoconference.

A press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 virus was held by Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, Director of the National Institute of Public Health Milan Krek, Head of the Consulate Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Šter and Slovene living in Argentina Mariana Poznič.

State Secretary Raščan held a video call today with the Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for the European Economic Area, the European Union and NATO Ola Henrikson.

We are publishing the letter of Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Janez Janša to the president of the European Comission Ursula von der Leyen.

Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek participated in an informal videoconference of ministers of EU Member States responsible for the internal market and industry. The morning session was dedicated to a political discussion of the European Semester in the context of the Union’s recovery process and national recovery and resilience plans as an instrument for the implementation of industrial strategy, strengthening the internal market, the twin transition and strategic autonomy, and a discussion of the new consumer agenda. The afternoon session featured a discussion of the draft directive on the public disclosure of certain tax information by undertakings (i.e. the Country-By-Country Reporting or CbCR Directive).

Today, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan delivered the opening address at the “E-Mobility: Slovenia–Germany” web conference organised by the Slovenian E-mobility Association. In his address, he emphasised the great importance of economic cooperation between the two countries, above all in the automotive industry, which accounts for more than a quarter of total bilateral trade.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved additional EU funding for the “Call for proposals for financing of initiatives to restart business in problematic border areas – COVID 19” implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. The total funding made available under the call for proposals amounts to over EUR 14.2 million of which the European Regional Development Fund contribution represents over EUR 10.5 million.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs today participated in a video conference featuring high-level officials from the Visegrad Group, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovenia to share experience in the preparation of national recovery and resilience plans. The video conference was organised by the Polish Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Visegrad Group.

Today’s press conference on the current situation with regard to Covid-19 was attended by State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Simon Zajc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Blaž Košorok, Deana Potza of the Health Inspectorate, and Deputy Director General of the Police Tomaž Pečjak.

On 27 January 2021, the Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia (GCO) fulfilled all of its obligations to the Slovenian Press Agency (SPA) arising from the public service contract.

Prime Minster and leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party Janez Janša attended a meeting today with the leaders of the parliamentary parties, hosted by Slovenian President Borut Pahor. The meeting was attended by leader of the Modern Centre Party (SMC) Zdravko Počivalšek, leader of the New Slovenia Party (NSI) Matej Tonin, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SD) Tanja Fajon, leader of the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) Alenka Bratušek, leader of the Slovenian Nationalist Party (SNS) Zmago Jelinčič and leader of the Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia (DeSUS) Karl Erjavec.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar is visiting the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg today, where he was welcomed by his host, Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Asylum, and Fernand Etgen, President of the Chamber of Deputies. The Minister also visited the European Investment Bank, where he met with its president, Werner Hoyer.