News

Condé Nast Traveler, a world-renowned luxury travel magazine dedicated to top experiences for the most demanding travellers, has published its list of the best holiday destinations for 2021. This time Slovenia ranked highest, followed by Yorkshire in England and Melides in Portugal. Placing Slovenia at the very top of such a list is further proof of the quality, uniqueness and reliability of its tourism products and services.

Slovenian Government has submitted the Report on the Implementation of EU Cohesion Policy for the Investment for Growth and Jobs Goal in the Second Quarter of 2020 to the National Assembly.

A record number of tests (as many as 2,560) and a record number of infections marked yesterday – 79 coronavirus infections were confirmed.

Before the upcoming meeting of the European Council, Prime Minister Janez Janša took part in a videoconference with Charles Michel, president of the European Council, and Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany and current holder of the presidency of the Council of the EU, discussing the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and relations with China.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar held his first press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, six months after he took office. He outlined the achievements, goals and vision of Slovenia’s foreign policy, which is seeking to put Slovenia back on the international map as a reliable partner within the EU and a credible member of international organisations while pursuing Slovenia's interests. Minister Logar stressed that Slovenia will follow the Foreign Policy Strategy adopted in 2015 and build “a safe, successful and globally respected” state.

Government speaker Jelko Kacin presented the epidemiological situation in Slovenia and in neighbouring Italian regions at a press conference on COVID-19.

Today, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša, hosted a working visit by the Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, in Ljubljana. The main subjects of talks related to the COVID situation; the interlocutors also discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and current European issues. The relations between Slovenia and Austria are considered to be excellent.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the programme “Mobility of students from socially-disadvantaged areas for 2019, University of Primorska”. The said programme is one of the several initiatives through which the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport each academic year supports the mobility of students of Slovene universities.

Prime Minister Janez Janša and his wife, Urška Bačovnik Janša, attended a ceremony today at Pristava nad Stično in honour of the 30th anniversary of an event at which the key players in the formation of the defence and security system adopted and formalised the strategic documents that served as the basis for the final phase of the organisation of a joint military and police organisation (the National Defence Manoeuvring Structures, or MSNZ), on which the barely independent Slovenia based its effective and successful armed resistance against the aggression of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JLA). In those documents, the JLA was for the first time clearly defined as a potential aggressor, or a clear and present danger to Slovenian independence.

At the press conference, Government spokesperson Jelko Kacin presented the current data on the epidemiological situation in Slovenia and neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the 24th Slovenian Diplomatic Consultation, which took place at Brdo pri Kranju, and addressed the assembled diplomats. In his speech he set out views on current topics in the international community, marked principally by Brexit and the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In scope of the HIA project, funded by the European Comission and coordinated by TECOS with the help of SRIP FoF, SRIP FoF is launching an open call for the international expert group, where they invite Industry 4.0 experts to apply. This is the first of the overall three open calls within this project.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the “Call for proposals for the financing of incentives for the start-up of businesses in disadvantaged border areas – COVID 1”. The total amount available under the call for proposals, which was published today by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, is EUR 5 million of which European Regional Development Fund contribution amounts to EUR 3.7 million.

Slovenian designers and companies will present themselves at the Danish annual design event 3daysofdesign held in Copenhagen, Denmark that opened today and will conclude on 5 September 2020, with the exhibition The Circle.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Yves Le Drian in Brdo pri Kranju at the margins of the meeting of Slovenian diplomats.

On the second day of the Consultations at Brdo, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is paying an official visit to Slovenia, took part in the event at the invitation of the Slovenian Foreign Minister, Dr Anže Logar. In his opening address, Minister Logar stressed that his French counterpart’s participation in the EU panel confirms the two countries’ shared commitment to a strategic partnership and to the EU core. The French Foreign Minister immediately responded to the invitation to visit Ljubljana and take part in the Consultations of Slovenian Diplomats.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian is paying an official two-day visit to Slovenia at the invitation of Slovenian Foreign Minister Dr Anže Logar.

At today’s Government session, the Government adopted an ordinance temporarily imposing mandatory use of protective masks in enclosed public spaces, which includes public transport. The Government also adopted the Act Amending the Environmental Protection Act.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, met today with representatives of the leadership of the Association of Paraplegics of Slovenia, namely President of the Association Dane Kastelic, Vice-President Damjan Hovnik and Head of Professional Services Špela Šušteršič.

The two-day 24th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats began at the Brdo Congress Centre today. For the first time since he has taken office, Minister Dr Anže Logar presented to heads of diplomatic missions and consular posts the direction and vision of Slovenian foreign policy. He outlined Slovenia's aspiration to be a responsible member of the EU, NATO, and the international community, not merely a silent observer, and to return to the diplomatic map.

The renewed strategy will represent one of the numerous strategic bases for the 2021-2027 European Cohesion Policy implementation. The workshop organised by the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy (GODC) as the coordinator of Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy was attended also by the representatives of ministries and 9 strategic research and innovation partnerships (SRIP).

In an extended interview for the Hungarian weekly Figyelo published last Thursday, the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša talked about the country’s struggle against the coronavirus crisis, the economic recovery measures adopted by the government, and further government plans. He also reflected on the cooperation between Hungary and Slovenia, and the European future.

The speakers at the press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19 were epidemiologist Mateja Logar from the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions at the University Medical Center Ljubljana, Polonca Truden Dobrin from the NIPH, who is an expert on child and adolescent health, and the Government spokesperson, Ambassador Jelko Kacin.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today in Bled met with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The prime ministers discussed the relations between the two countries and their close and comprehensive cooperation.

Prime Minister Janez Janša was a guest of the show Conversations with the people who fought for our independence on RTV Slovenija. In the interview, he spoke of the events that happened 30 years ago during the time of the independence process, about the victory of Demos, the plebiscite, the unity of the Slovenian people at the time of gaining our independence, about the political division of the time, the destroyed archives, the diving line in Slovenian politics, and the subsequent reinterpretation of the events from 30 years ago.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the 15th Bled Strategic Forum and participated in the introductory European Leaders' Panel on "Europe after Brexit and COVID–19".

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša is attending the 15th Bled Strategic Forum. Eight heads of state from the region, six foreign ministers, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and numerous other esteemed guests will attend this year’s Forum and participate in the discussions.

At the second panel of the 15th Bled Strategic Forum morning programme, Minister Dr Anže Logar hosted his counterparts from Croatia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, alongside EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office. The discussion focused on the role of regional integration within the EU, the establishing of links within the Central European region, especially through traffic and energy infrastructure, and on the importance of awareness of the transatlantic partnership.

Due to technical upgrades of the database the ScopeQuery search engine will be disabled from September 4th, 2020.

Every year, the organisers of the Bled Strategic Forum present the BSF Distinguished Partner Award. In 2020, the award was presented to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

At the 15th Bled Strategic Forum, attention was also paid to the burning issues of cyber security, namely within the panel "Is the Future of Cyberspace Only as a Domain of Conflict?", which was opened by the Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik.

In the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum, Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with Christian Pawlu, Member of the Sandoz Executive Board and the Global Head of Strategy, Portfolio and BD&L, Robert Ljoljo, Novartis President for Slovenia, and Gregor Makuc, the Head of Public Affairs for Slovenia in Novartis.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar opened the 15th Bled Strategic Forum (BSF). In his address in the Bled Festival Hall he expressed his satisfaction that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reshaped the world, this year’s edition of the BSF is taking place in person. He commended the large attendance of high representatives of states and institutions, among them eight prime ministers and six foreign ministers, which will present their visions of tackling the challenges after the pandemic during the Forum.

Today, Minister Dr Anže Logar held a separate meeting with the new Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau on the sidelines of the 15th Bled Strategic Forum. The ministers advocated for further strengthening of cooperation between Slovenia and Poland both at the bilateral level and within regional and supra-regional initiatives. Slovenia and Poland are EU partners and allies within NATO, sharing numerous positions on major international issues.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government adopted the draft revised national budget for 2020. It also adopted the Act amending the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia's Budget for 2020 and 2021 Act, which will enable the implementation of this year’s budget after the revised budget comes into effect.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met tonight with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

At the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Minister Dr Logar attended an informal two-day meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Berlin. On the second day, the foreign ministers turned to topic of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey’s activities in the region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar is attending an informal two-day meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell and German Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Heiko Maas. On the opening day, the ministers discussed the situation in Belarus and possible EU responses.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today met with the President of the Management Board of NLB d.d., Blaž Brodnjak.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in Podravje - PONI Podravje”. The European Regional Development Fund will contribute a good EUR 1 million for the project which is worth almost EUR 1.4 million. This is the last of eight projects within the overall project “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges”, which will be implemented throughout Slovenia. The project aim is entrepreneurial training of people who want to realise an entrepreneurial idea.

The goal of all of us is to enter the school year healthy and, above all, to stay healthy, said the government spokesman Mr Jelko Kacin at today’s press conference. Currently, all our efforts are focused on the timely detection of new infections. We mostly focus on the prevention of the introduction and spread of infections among pupils and students, and especially among teachers and other school staff.

In a telephone conversation today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar and Argentinian Foreign Minister Felipe Solá reaffirmed the excellent relations between the two countries and expressed their interest in their further strengthening.

At a press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19, Minister of the Interior, Aleš Hojs, and the government spokesman, Jelko Kacin, spoke about Croatia's placement on the list of epidemiologically unsafe countries related to the expiry of the deadline for a timely return without mandatory quarantine.

On Friday, 21 August 2020, credit rating agency DBRS Morningstar confirmed Slovenia's credit rating at A (high) with a stable trend. This is once again proof that the measures implemented by the Government during the COVID-19 epidemic were appropriate and that external observers continue to see Slovenia as trust-worthy despite the difficult situation created by the epidemic.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued the Ordinance on imposing and implementing measures to prevent the spread of epidemic of COVID-19 at border crossing points at the external border, inspection points at the internal border and within the Republic of Slovenia and published it in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

This year, the Study Centre for National Reconciliation marked the Europe-Wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes on Friday, 21 August 2020, by laying flowers in three memorial locations in Ljubljana; in front of the memorial plaque of the American Embassy, in front of the Monument to the Victims of All Wars in Kongresni trg, and in front of prison cells in Beethovnova. The ceremony was adapted to accommodate the current health situation.

Today at the Brdo Congress Centre, Prime Minister Janez Janša held a consultation with municipalities and development agencies on the projects and investments for which Slovenia will earmark funding from the EU coronavirus recovery package, to ensure Slovenia's efficient absorption of the hard-won EU funds. Government ministers also participated in the consultation.

The Government adopted the decision to include Croatia in the red list as the neighbouring country exceeded 40 infections per 100,000 inhabitants on Wednesday. The mandatory quarantine for travellers from Croatia and other related measures were presented by Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, who attended the press conference following the Government's session together with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Aleksandra Pivec and Government spokesman Jelko Kacin.

Today, we mark World Humanitarian Day under the slogan ‘Real Life Heroes’. With the COVID-19 pandemic posing a grave challenge to all humanitarian operations, this year’s humanitarian day is dedicated to promoting solidarity and cooperation during severe crises.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Wastewater discharge and treatment in the municipality of Koper and Ankaran”. The project worth EUR 15.8 million will receive Cohesion Fund support in the amount of EUR 7.3 million.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended an informal video-conference meeting of the European Council. At the meeting, the members of the European Council exchanged views on the developments in Belarus and took note of incidents in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The #OstaniZdrav (#StayHealthy) mobile app is now available to Android OS users in Google Play. At the press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19, the mobile app was presented by Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik, while Government spokesman, Ambassador Jelko Kacin spoke about controlling the spread of coronavirus, particularly in the light of the situation in Croatia.

The Slovene Enterprise Fund has published a call for proposals »Financial support for the digital transformation of SMEs (P4D-C19)". The total amount of funds available under the call for proposals is EUR 15 million which is contributed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at Ljubljana Airport and they held a brief bilateral meeting.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Aleksandra Pivec, today attended the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels (AGRIFISH). On the margins of the meeting, the Ministers of Agriculture of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia made a joint declaration in which they presented the programme of work of the future Trio Presidency regarding agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Aleksandra Pivec, today attended the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels (AGRIFISH). At the meeting, the ministers were briefed on the report on progress in consideration of the CAP reform legislative package beyond 2020 and continued to discuss the CAP reform, focusing on green architecture, the farm to fork strategy and a new implementation model.

Today, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dr. Anže Logar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed a Joint Declaration on 5G Security.

Today, on 13 August 2020, Prime Minister Janez Janša hosts the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. The purpose of the visit is to reaffirm and foster close relations of friendship, partnership and alliance between Slovenia and the United States, review cooperation between the countries in all key areas of common interest and identify opportunities for enhancing mutual cooperation. During the talks, some topical international issues were also discussed. In the margins of the talks, the Joint Declaration of Slovenia and the United States on 5G Security was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anže Logar, and Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Mateja Logar from the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Ljubljana University Medical Centre, and Slovenian Government spokesman, Ambassador Jelko Kacin, took part in a press conference on the status of the COVID-19 disease. The two spoke about the various forms of support treatment, and encouraged those who have recovered from COVID-19 to give blood. Recovering patients may in the coming months be susceptible to various other health issues, even younger patients who recovered from COVID-19 relatively easily.

At today's correspondence session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia decided to earmark EUR 200,000 for emergency humanitarian aid to Lebanon and to send an expert to help coordinate international assistance in Lebanon within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Slovenian Government has allocated, through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Caritas Internationalis, a contribution of EUR 200,000 for the people of Beirut. In addition, as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Slovenia today deployed to Beirut a logistics expert, who is part of the EU Civil Protection Team.

On the basis of an expert assessment, the Slovenian Government decided that the restrictions under the Ordinance on the temporary general restriction or prohibition of the gathering of people in the Republic of Slovenia would continue to remain in force. The Czech Republic, Malta, Switzerland, and certain Spanish administrative units, i.e. the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, and Castile and León, were removed from the green list, whereas Belgium was added to the red list.

At today's correspondence meeting, the Government decided that the Ordinance on temporary measures in implementing compulsory health insurance to control and manage the COVID-19 epidemic would cease to be in force. It also adopted the consolidated balance sheet of the state and municipalities which in 2019 increased by 2.8% or EUR 1.36 billion.

US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will be visiting Slovenia next week. The purpose of the visit is to intensify the high-level relations, which have stalled during the past few years, and to deepen the close friendly relations between the two allies and partner states, Slovenia and the USA. Another aim of the visit is to enhance the high-level bilateral political dialogue and strengthen cooperation in business and other areas.

On 6 August 2020, some changes to the lists of countries were introduced. Among other, the Slovenian Government decided to take the Czech Republic, Malta, Switzerland and some administrative units of Spain off the green list (entry without a quarantine) and to add Belgium to the red list (14-day quarantine).

On behalf of the Slovenian government, Prime Minister Janez Janša sent a cable of condolences to the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Hassan Diab, expressing his shock at the loss of lives and offered support and help after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday, 4 August 2020, in late afternoon hours.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issues a grant decision for the project “Construction of secondary circuit of wastewater discharge in the Vuzenica industrial zone”. The project worth EUR 319,000 will be realised by the municipality of Vuzenica and will receive European Regional Development Fund support in the amount of EUR 236,000.

One of the staff members of the Prime Minister’s Office was tested for COVID-19 yesterday as he was not feeling well. Since the test was positive, a testing for all employees who had been in contact with the staff member concerned was organised in accordance with the guidelines and epidemiological recommendations of the NIJZ (National Institute of Public Health).

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Zasavje business incubator”. The project worth EUR over EUR 2 million will receive European Regional Development Fund support in the amount of EUR 1.2 million.

Based on the German version, the application has already been adapted to Slovenian conditions and is undergoing a testing phase. It was presented at a press conference by Peter Geršak, State Secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration, Primož Cigoj, Director of the RSteam company, and Špela Horjak, Deputy Government Spokesperson.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project Restoration of wetland habitats along the Mura river and Vision Pohorje 2030 – Improving the conservation status of grasslands, water habitats and forest habitats and setting up quiet zones in Pohorje. The two projects, whose total budget will amount to over EUR 6.7 million, will be supported by the European Regional Development Fund with the support totaling more than EUR 5.3 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Taking an entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in the Primorsko-notranjska development region” and “Taking an entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in the Pomurje development region”. The projects worth over EUR 1.4 million will receive European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support in the amount of over EUR 1 million. The projects represent two of the eight projects that make up the project “Taking an entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges” that is to be implemented throughout Slovenia. The goal of the project is entrepreneurial training for people trying to realise their entrepreneurial idea.

The news report, which was published on a fraudulent website and is making the rounds on social media, is an online scam. There are statements on the website that were not made or written by Prime Minister Janez Janša and were falsely attributed to him, moreover, the photos were published without authorisation from the authors.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Anže Logar met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Dr Gordan Grlić Radman.

On Monday, 874 tests were carried out and 14 new cases were confirmed, including one in the Hrastnik Care Home. The Head of the Expert Group on the containment and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, Dr Bojana Beović, and Deputy Government Spokesperson, Ms Špela Horjak, discussed the current situation regarding the COVID-19 disease at a press conference.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Deinstitutionalisation of the Centre for Training, Work and Care in Črna na Koroškem”. The project worth a little less than EUR 2.4 million will receive European Social Fund support in the amount of over EUR 1.9 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the project “Construction of wastewater infrastructure for Garant Polzela area”. The value of the project, which will be implemented by the Municipality of Polzela, amounts to more than EUR 703,000, of which the European Regional Development Fund will contribute EUR 337,500.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the call for proposals Co-financing of costs of digitalising sales processes and producing promotional and marketing materials for foreign markets - JPTT2020-COVID19. The call will be published by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and will make EUR 800,000 available from the European Regional Development Fund.

Slovenian minister of the interior Aleš Hojs participated at a two-day ministerial summit in Vienna on efficient combat against current challenges of migration on the eastern Mediterranean route. Austrian federal minister of the interior Karl Nehammer called the conference due to increasing migration flows on the eastern Mediterranean migration route. The purpose of the meeting was to overview the overall situation regarding irregular migrations and agree on closer operational cooperation in addressing irregular migration with particular attention on border management.

The press conference on the COVID-19 situation following Thursday's regular Government session focused on controlling the spread of the virus at the Hrastnik Care Home. The main speakers were the Minister of Health, Tomaž Gantar, the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Janez Cigler Kralj, and the deputy government spokesperson, Špela Horjak.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Dr Jacek Czaputowicz and Minister for European Affairs Konrad Szymánski in Warsaw. The working visit confirmed the outstanding relations between the two partner countries in the EU and NATO allies, which also work together successfully within regional initiatives in Central Europe and other international forums.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia finalised the text of the proposed Energy Efficiency Act, adopted the Guidelines for the drawing up of the draft revised budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2020, the proposed amendments to the budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2021 and the proposed budget of the Republic of Slovenia for 2022, and decided to extend the measure of partial reimbursement of salary compensation for temporarily laid-off workers until 31 August 2020. The Government revoked the minimum trading hours of shops and lifted the ban on the operation of shops on Sundays.

On the occasion of the official visit by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, to Slovakia, a business forum organised by SPIRIT Slovenia and the Slovak partner institution SARIO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held on 22 July 2020.

After successfully concluding negotiations and securing EUR 10.5 billion in funds for Slovenia, the Government today held a working consultation on the absorption of funding. The Government first took note of Slovenia's absorption of funds from the 2014–2020 EU budget, which stands at a low rate of 39%.

On Monday, July 20, Shamaa military base in Lebanon was the venue of a handover ceremony between the 27th and 28th Slovenian UNIFIL contingents.

Today, after several days of negotiations, the European Council reached an agreement on a multiannual financial framework and a recovery instrument totalling EUR 1,824 billion. The agreement brings extensive additional funds for Slovenia, which will facilitate the recovery after the COVID-19 crisis and encourage investments in the green transition and digital transformation.

The press conference on the COVID-19 situation focused on the epidemiological situation in the country and the region, as well as the presentation of an application for the protection of people's health and lives during the pandemic. The main speakers were the Minister of Public Administration, Boštjan Koritnik, the deputy head of the Communicable Disease Centre at the National Institute of Public Health, Nuška Čakš Jager, and the deputy government spokesperson, Špela Horjak.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar held a videoconference with Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Among the topics for discussion were the rule of law and the new EU mechanism for monitoring the state of the rule of law in all EU Member States, under which the first annual rule of law report is being drafted by the Commission. This is a preventive tool aimed at deepening dialogue between Member States and EU institutions, and increasing awareness of the rule of law principle, including in relation to candidate countries.

European leaders are continuing their negotiations in Brussels today on the EU recovery package related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Janez Janša, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, held a video conference in Brussels with Richard Saynor, the Chief Executive Officer of Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis International AG.

Today’s conference in Brdo pri Kranju marked tomorrow’s tenth anniversary of Slovenia's membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among others, the event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anže Logar, and the Secretary-General of the OECD, José Ángel Gurría. Minister Dr Logar stressed that by joining the OECD, Slovenia has fulfilled its ambitions, but still has a great deal more to achieve.

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Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša held a video conference call with OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, who congratulated the Prime Minister on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in a very effective and timely manner.

During a telephone conversation today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi discussed the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and the Middle East Peace Process.

On the 10th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership in the OECD, government representatives in Brdo pri Kranju discuss opportunities and challenges faced by members. Attendees of the event were addressed by the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anže Logar, and the Secretary-General of the OECD, José Ángel Gurría. Prime Minister Janez Janša also spoke to Secretary-General Gurría in a videoconference. In their talks they focused on the topic of the demographic challenges Slovenia will face in upcoming years. The Secretary-General congratulated the Prime Minister on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in a very effective and timely manner.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a grant decision for the projects “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in the region Jugovzodna Slovenija – PONI JV”, “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in the region Gorenjska - PONI Gorenjska” and “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges in the region Obalno-kraška development region”. For projects worth just under EUR 2.4 million, the European Regional Development Fund will contribute EUR 1.7 million. These are the next three in a row of eight projects within the project “Entrepreneurial approach to addressing challenges”, which will be implemented throughout Slovenia. Its purpose is entrepreneurial training of people who want to realize their entrepreneurial idea.

The leaders of the EU Member States are continuing with negotiations today on the EU recovery package in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša pointed out yesterday on Twitter, Saturday marked the second day of attempts to reach an agreement on the budget and the recovery fund. According to the prime minister, the EU is once again showing itself in all its complexity of differences, smallness and greatness, selfishness and solidarity. “For some, a given; for others, something fought for. A test of perseverance,” wrote Prime Minister Janez Janša on Twitter yesterday.

On Friday, 17 July 2020, Fitch Ratings affirmed Slovenia's credit rating at 'A' with a stable outlook.

The leaders of the EU Member States met yesterday at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where they held a 14-hour discussion on the EU coronavirus recovery package in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. European Council President Charles Michel adjourned the meeting just before midnight and leaders resumed talks today.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the call for proposals Incentives for SMEs to develop and roll out new wood industry 4.0 products. Total funding from the European Regional Development Fund available under the call for proposals amounts to EUR 6.2 million. The call for proposals has been published by the Slovene Enterprise Fund.