News

On 20 April 2020, at the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Robert Glavaš assumed the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

At its regular session of 16 April, the Government took a new step towards the gradual easing of measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Minister of Finance M.Sc. Andrej Šircelj on the basis of the third paragraph of Article 40 of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding Act, issued a Decision on the appointment and tasks of the Expert Commission for the preparation of the candidate proposal for the members of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board, which will carry out the process of obtaining and evaluating candidates and prepare for the Minister for Finance the proposal of the relevant candidates. The candidate selection process is underway due to the expiration of the term of office of two members of the SSH Supervisory Board on July 16, 2020.

On Wednesday, 15 April 2020, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik held a videoconference with Zoran Stančič, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia. They discussed cooperation between the Ministry of Public Administration and the Representation in the field of digitalization of public administration and measures to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic. They agreed that the cooperation is constructive and will continue in the future. The head of the representative office, Zoran Stančič, also praised the operation of e-Government during the epidemic.

Slovenia declared an epidemic on 12 March 2020 due to the growing number of coronavirus infections. In order to contain the spread of infection, many countries, including Slovenia, introduced changes in their border crossing regime.

Dear citizens, dear fellow Slovenians abroad, dear Friends,

Today, the Ordinance on imposing and implementing measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 at border crossings at the external border and at control points at the internal borders of the Republic of Slovenia was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The Ordinance determines the locations of control points at the internal borders with Italy, Austria and Hungary, when they are open and who can cross the border at a particular control point. In addition, it determines who is and who is not ordered to undergo a quarantine, and who is and who is not allowed entry into the country. The Ordinance repeals the legal acts previously regulating this area. It enters into force on the day following its publication, which is tomorrow, on 12 April 2020.

Today, after the 10th session of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Prime Minister Janez Janša said that the government took note of the reports from all five working groups that prepared proposals for the second anti-corona legislative package.

Today, retired Archbishop of Ljubljana Alojz Uran passed away at the age of 76.

Today, Foreign Minister Dr Anže Logar received the Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Republic of Slovenia, Archbishop Jean-Marie Antoine Joseph Speich.

Today Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the University Medical Centre Maribor, which provides secondary and tertiary healthcare in the Maribor, Pesnica, Ruše, Ormož, Lenart, Ptuj and Slovenska Bistrica areas, including some subspecialty services for the needs of north-eastern Slovenia and the Koroška region.

At today’s Eurogroup video conference, EU Ministers of Finance agreed on short-term measures to mitigate the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. During the crisis, all euro area Member States will be able to access the resources within the newly established Pandemic Crisis Support, which will be based on the existing precautionary credit line of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). A temporary European instrument to support national safety nets – called SURE, and EIB guarantee schemes will also be created. Fiscal and state-aid rules are relaxed, and the work on mid-term measures continues as well.

In a video conference today the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and the President of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) autonomous region, Massimilano Fedriga, exchanged information on the current situation regarding COVID-19 and the measures adopted by Slovenia and the FVG region to combat the epidemic.

Prime Minister Janez Janša pointed out today on Twitter, in connection to the easing of measures adopted by the Government to contain and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, that Japan, which appeared to have contained the epidemic in the first wave, declared a state of emergency again today. “Let me state once again that easing lockdown measures is possible only if we cumulatively meet certain conditions that I mentioned on Tuesday and that are respected in all the countries which have been successful in the fight against the coronavirus.

The emergence of a novel coronavirus, its rapid spread and subsequent declaration of a pandemic have posed a common challenge to the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both in internal and foreign service: Covid-19.

At the outbreak of the pandemic, the Slovenian authorities advised against all travel and repeatedly called on Slovenian citizens to postpone their travel plans. This also applies to the coming Easter season.

State Secretary Tone Kajzer attended an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the format of development cooperation ministers via an audio/video conference. The ministers discussed the EU’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and upheld a joint approach to assist partner countries termed ‘Team Europe’. The main goal is to ensure emergency assistance to partner countries, particularly the most vulnerable countries in Africa, the European neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, and at the same time to strengthen the EU’s role and increase the visibility of its development and humanitarian aid.

In his statement to the press today, Prime Minister Janez Janša spoke about the situation in Slovenia at the time of the COVID-19 epidemic and the gradual resumption of economic activities.

On the 7th of April 2020, the Republic of Slovenia successfully returned to the markets with a triple-tranche transaction, consisting of a €1.15bn Mar-23 tap, a new €1bn 10yr (Jul-30) issuance and a €100m Aug-45 tap.

The Holmec border crossing reopened on 6 April and it will remain open every day from 5.00 to 8.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00.

A call centre has been operating ever since the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic in Slovenia to provide the public with reliable and up-to-date information on the new coronavirus. Information is available at the toll-free telephone number 080 1404 (+38614787550 for calls from abroad) every day between 8:00 and 20:00.

Upon their arrival from abroad, all healthy persons are required to remain in quarantine due to a possible infection with the new coronavirus. Persons with signs of COVID-19 infection must be isolated.

The Government Communication Office manages the national brand ‘I feel Slovenia’, which represents our country both at home and around the world. Promotional events, campaigns, presentations and performances of Slovenia were commonplace until recently. Due to the current events, we have postponed our planned promotional events, but this does not mean you cannot feel Slovenia in a different way.

The Organization for European Cooperation and Development (OECD), in partnership with the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Administration, has completed a joint project to review, analyse and propose improvements for public procurement in Slovenia.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated Baa1 (positive) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan to lead manage a multi-tranche transaction consisting of a new 10-year SLOREP benchmark due 15 July 2030 and a reopening of the 0.200% notes due 31 March 2023 (ISINSI0002103974). A reopening of the 3.125% notes due 7 August 2045 (ISIN SI0002103552) will be considered subject to reverse interest from investors. All tranches will be Regulation “S” transactions in dematerialized registered form. The deal is expected to be launched in the near future, subject to market conditions. Relevant stabilization regulations apply. Manufacturer target market (MIFID II product governance) are eligible and professional counterparties (all distribution channels) and also retail investors (all distribution channels).

Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Janez Janša visited the University Medical Centre Ljubljana where he took note of the situation and what adjustments the medical centre had implemented to control the COVID-19 disease. The Prime Minister visited the temporary emergency unit, the pediatric intensive care unit and was informed about the current situation in the Department of Infectious Diseases.

During the last days, Foreign Minister Logar led a coordinated diplomatic action aimed at reopening the Holmec border crossing. As part of the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Republic of Austria has decided to close down the border crossing.

At today’s informal videoconference, EU ministers of foreign affairs called for continued intensive efforts to repatriate EU citizens from third countries, and for consular cooperation between Member States. They underlined the importance of the free movement of goods and the possibility of transit within the EU for EU citizens returning via airports outside their home countries. The ministers agreed that the EU must strengthen its assisting role in third countries as part of its response to the pandemic, particularly in Africa, the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries. They also called for more proactive provision of information to EU citizens on the EU’s role and activities undertaken to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ESIF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project “Energy-saving renovation of the Gradišče Residential Care Home” in Dornberk. The project is worth over EUR 1.3 million and will receive EUR 364,000 of Cohesion Fund support.

We have set up a special email address to provide advice to people who have questions concerning the new measures being implemented to contain COVID-19 and associated movement restrictions.

The Government is also drafting a second anti-corona package, the purpose of which will be in particular to resolve the issue of liquidity in the Slovenian economy, and a third package in which the legislator will outline the exit strategy for the period following the end of the epidemic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar attended the regular meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers today. Due to the changed circumstances following the spread of the COVID-19 disease, NATO Foreign Ministers met via a secure video conference, for the first time in the history of NATO, with the COVID-19 crisis at the top of the agenda. They assessed further measures NATO and the allies can take to enhance the collective fight against the virus.

Following a political crisis in Slovenia, at the session of the National Assembly on 3 March 2020, Janez Janša was elected as the 14th President of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. We interviewed him on the health emergency in Europe, the respnses of the European Union and the migrant crisis.

As of 6am Thursday, 2 April 2020, the following two border points are open at the Slovenian-Hungarian border: Čepinci - Verica and Hodoš – Bajasenjye.

As a member of the Core Group of the MLA Initiative, which also includes Argentina, Belgium, Mongolia, the Netherlands and Senegal, we regret to inform that after careful consideration and in response to the continuing developments surrounding COVID-19 pandemic, the Diplomatic Conference for the negotiation of the Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, which was scheduled for 8–19 June 2020 in Ljubljana, is postponed until further notice.

Austria has put in place new restrictions on the border with Slovenia. As of 2 April 2020, the checkpoints (former BCPs) at Holmec, Jurij, Šentilj (that is on the main road) and Korensko sedlo will close down. Nine border points will continue to remain open on the Slovenian-Austrian border.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar spoke on the phone with his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjárto, today. The ministers agreed to support the initiatives put forward by both national communities and ease the crossings of border residents.

As of 31 March 2020, third-country nationals seeking to enter Slovenia will be checked not only for their fulfilment of regulatory entry conditions but also whether their travel is really essential. This regime will be in operation at all border-crossing points along the external Schengen border.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently undertaking one of the biggest repatriation efforts in the history of both the Ministry and the state. Since the evacuation of Slovenian citizens from the cruise ship quarantined at Yokohama in the beginning of February, the Ministry is constantly and intensively seeking for new ways and solutions to bring home Slovenian citizens.

At yesterday's regular session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the text of the act proposal on the intervention measures to stem and mitigate the consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) communicable disease epidemic for citizens and the economy. The act proposal was presented at today's press conference by Prime Minister Janez Janša, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Aleksandra Pivec, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Matej Tonin and Minister of Finance Andrej Šircelj.

At its 8th regular session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the text of the Act on the intervention measures to mitigate the consequences of the communicable disease SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for citizens and the economy and submitted it to the National Assembly for consideration and adoption under an emergency procedure, in accordance with Article 143 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Ordinance on the temporary general prohibition of movement and public gathering in public places and areas in the Republic of Slovenia and the prohibition of movement outside the municipality of permanent or temporary residence, to be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The Ordinance will enter into force on 30 March 2020 at 00.00 and will remain in force until revoked.

At today's session, the Government adopted the proposal for an act on the intervention measures to mitigate the consequences of the communicable disease SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for citizens and the economy, known as the #PKP1 #antiCorona legislative package. One of the measures adopted by the Government to contain and control the new coronavirus epidemic was the Ordinance on mandatory disinfection of multi-dwelling buildings. The Government also adopted amendments to the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of offering and selling goods and services to consumers in the Republic of Slovenia, which dictates that purchases from 8.00 to 10.00 can only be made by vulnerable groups (e.g. persons with disabilities, pensioners, pregnant women). Pensioners can carry out their purchases only in this period.

A video conference of the European Council, called by European Council President Charles Michel, was held today. The heads of state and government and leaders of EU institutions discussed the situation and measures relating to the COVID-19 epidemic. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša also participated in the video conference.

Minister for Development, Strategic Projects and Cohesion Zvonko Černač today participated in a video conference of Cohesion Policy ministers. The ministers unanimously welcomed rapid response of the European Commission and the joint measures it put forward to help EU Member States tackle the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slovenia called on the Commission to allow maximum flexibility in developing and implementing Cohesion Policy measures.

In 2020, Slovenia commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Slovenian-Paraguayan anthropologist, Dr Branislava Sušnik, whose life and achievements made an indelible mark on science and established links between Slovenia and the South American cultural area.

A special meeting of four presidents, including the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Janez Janša, President of the National Assembly Igor Zorčič, and the President of the National Council Alojz Kovšca, was held today. The four presidents discussed the operation of political institutions during the coronavirus crisis, their cooperation, and their joint efforts to achieve political unity in order to take concerted action. In their discussions, they focused especially on making various decisions that need to be effective, democratic, and protected by all democratic standards.

In a joint letter addressed to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, nine leaders of EU Member States, i.e. Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia, called for action to establish a joint European debt instrument with regard to the fight against the new coronavirus. They stressed that the emergency situation and the coronavirus crisis, which affected all Member States, require coordinated and unified action that is undertaken in the spirit of solidarity and with an intensity corresponding to the scope of the challenge.

Slovenia, on behalf of eight participating countries, submitted to the UNESCO Secretariat in Paris a multinational nomination of the "Lipizzan Horse Breeding Traditions" for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Government has issued the Ordinance on the conditions of entry into the Republic of Slovenia from the Republic of Austria to contain and manage communicable diseases, which will be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

On the 24th March 2020, the Republic of Slovenia successfully issued a new €850mn 3yr (Mar-23) benchmark along with a €250mn Mar-29 tap.

Today, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan participated in a videoconference of the EU General Affairs Council where ministers voiced their unanimous support for starting the EU accession negotiation process with North Macedonia and Albania.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated Baa1 (positive) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, Crédit Agricole CIB, Goldman Sachs International Bank and HSBC to lead manage a new EUR 3-year benchmark due March 2023 and an increase of the outstanding 1.1875% notes due 14 March 2029 (ISIN: SI0002103842) in dematerialized registered form. This Regulation S transaction is expected to be launched in the near future, subject to market conditions.

At today's press conference, Prime Minister Janez Janša, Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Aleksandra Pivec, Minister of Finance Andrej Šircelj and Expert Advisory Group Coordinator Matej Lahovnik presented a package of measures to help the population and the economy, the so-called anti-corona package discussed at the Government’s evening session yesterday.

Croatia has widened the list of countries whose nationals must remain in 14-day self-isolation upon entering the country.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemics, as of 21 March 2020 at 17.00, Turkey has introduced the entry ban on all foreign travellers who are nationals of any of the 46 countries on the list or have visited those countries in the last 14 days.

Pursuant to a decree of 22 March 2020, entry into Austria by land from Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovenia and Hungary is allowed without restriction for transit passengers, that is for those returning home to Slovenia without stopping.

On Sunday, 22 March 2020, Prime Minister Janez Janša visited the Municipality of Grosuplje, where he met with Mayor Dr Peter Verlič, Director of Municipal Administration Dušan Hočevar, Commander of Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of the Municipality of Grosuplje Tomaž Rigler, Director of Grosuplje Health Care Center Štefka Zaviršek and Head of Warden Service of 5G Joint Municipal Administration Mihael Prelc.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša took note of the situation in the Metlika Nursing Home, where several staff members and residents were infected with the new coronavirus some time ago. He thanked those responsible for their responsiveness and cooperation and assured that the Crisis Staff and the Government were doing everything they could to minimise the spread of the virus in Slovenia.

World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March each year, stresses the importance of water and the awareness that 2.2 billion people do not have access to drinking water. In the current context of the coronavirus epidemic, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning has informed public service providers that they should fully comply with all preventive health protocols in order to ensure the smooth running of the public drinking water supply service and the discharge and treatment of municipal wastewater. The National Institute of Public Health has declared that tap water is safe for consumption. Drinking water from the tap is also healthier and more environmentally friendly than water from a plastic bottle.

As reported, the Krško NPP continued to operate after the earthquake.

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, at 6.24 am, the national earthquake monitoring network recorded a magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Zagreb (Croatia), 115 km east of Ljubljana. The main earthquake was followed by several aftershocks. The strongest of them was at 7.01 am with a magnitude of 4.4.

It has been ten days since Slovenia declared an epidemic on 12 March under Article 7 of the Communicable Diseases Act due to an increase in the number of coronavirus infections. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia, led by Janez Janša, was appointed on 13 March, and ever since has been taking a number of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. After taking the most urgent steps to slow down and contain the coronavirus epidemic, the Government is stepping up the preparation of the first comprehensive legislative package to help the population and the economy.

Having carried out the most urgent steps to slow down and contain the coronavirus epidemic, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia is stepping up the preparation of the first extensive legislation package to help the population and the economy.

Prime Minister Janez Janša paid a visit to the Šmarje pri Jelšah municipality this afternoon, where he met with the mayor of the municipality, Matija Čakš, and the members of the municipal civil protection headquarters.

To curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Germany has limited the number of open border crossing points with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark.

The Government has adopted the Ordinance on temporary measures in healthcare to contain and manage the COVID-19 epidemic

As of 12.00 on 20 March, Austria imposed a stricter regime on its border with Slovenia.

Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anže Logar, held a video conference call with his counterparts from Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Hungary to coordinate the measures aimed at containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On 19 March at 12.00, Austria introduced border controls with Germany, imposing the same measures as those already applied on the borders with Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The measures have been foreseen to apply until 7 April 2020.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has issued the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of public gathering at public meetings and public events and other events in public places in the Republic of Slovenia, which is to be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.

Dear citizens,
From the very beginning, ever since our declaring of independence and the war, Slovenia has never faced a more serious crisis.

2020 first entry deadline for all undergraduate and master programmes extended until 9 April 2020.

In order to mitigate the consequences of the epidemic, the Government adopted the proposal for the Act on the Intervention Measure of Deferred Payment of Borrowers’ Liabilities, which allows borrowers not able to settle their loan agreement liabilities due to the negative effects of the epidemic to defer repayment for 12 months.

At its meeting by correspondence, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia has issued the Ordinance on the conditions of entry into the Republic of Slovenia from the Italian Republic to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and the amendment to the Ordinance on the temporary prohibition of offering and selling goods and services to consumers in the Republic of Slovenia.

An extraordinary video conference of the European Council or, more precisely, of the EU heads of state and government, including Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Janša, was held today due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In today’s statement made after the National Security Council session, Prime Minister Janez Janša announced that in the coming days the Government will enhance the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In the light of adopting measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, a meeting of the National Security Council convened by Prime Minister Janez Janša was held today. The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, ministers and the representatives of opposition parties also attended the meeting.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anže Logar, hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjárto, in Ljubljana today. The visit was aimed at establishing personal links between the ministers of two neighbouring countries in an emergency situation, when all European and other countries all over the world are facing the coronavirus pandemic.

Bojana Beovič, the Head of the Expert Group that provides support to the Crisis Staff of the Republic of Slovenia for the containment and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, said that, according to the latest data, there were 253 confirmed coronavirus cases in Slovenia by 2 p.m. today.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has announced that this year's campaign EU Project, My Project, which was originally planned to take place between 9 and 16 May 2020, has been called off. The campaign has been rescheduled to 19–26 September 2020, but the date is yet to be officially confirmed.

In today’s telephone conversation with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Janez Janša discussed the European Union measures necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

At its meeting by correspondence today, the Government adopted the Proposal for the Act on temporary measures regarding judicial, administrative and other public law-related matters to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The Government adopted the ordinance on a temporary ban on the sale of goods and services to consumers in the Republic of Slovenia, issued the Ordinance on the allocation of doctors without licences, and revoked the validity of the Order on prohibiting the sale of protective equipment.

In accordance with the agreement at the session of the Crisis Staff of the Republic of Slovenia for the containment and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted an Ordinance on temporary ban and restrictions on public transport of passengers in the Republic of Slovenia. The Ordinance temporarily bans public transport of passengers in the Republic of Slovenia for the purpose of containing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. The Orinance enters into force on March 16, 2020 at 00.00.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša addressed the mayors of Slovenian municipalities, calling on them to become involved as quickly as possible in helping with the organisation of at-home childcare. In addition, he also informed the heads of healthcare and care institutions of this and asked them to provide the mayors with a list of urgent needs as soon as possible.

The crisis unit of the Republic of Slovenia to contain and manage the COVID-19 epidemic that was appointed yesterday met at its first session chaired by Prime Minister Janez Janša. The unit discussed the situation in the international environment, particularly in immediate neighbouring countries, and current developments in Slovenia. The members of the unit held a thorough discussion and agreed to implement several concrete measures to contain the epidemic. Furthermore, Jelko Kacin was appointed the official speaker of the crisis unit.

The expert team providing assistance to the crisis unit to contain and manage the COVID-19 epidemic proposed to change the diagnostics method that is based on the number of severely ill people. Prime Minister Janez Janša emphasised that this method would enable a more realistic adoption of measures and plans for the allocation of essential resources.

After being appointed yesterday by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia as new minister without portfolio, responsible for development, strategic projects and cohesion, Zvonko Černač today took over office from the outgoing minister dr. Angelika Mlinar. At the handover event, the new minister highlighted he would pursue two principal goals, i.e. fully absorbing and using the funding allocated to Slovenia in the current period and having the programming documents for the upcoming period prepared in time. The new minister thanked his predecessor for the work done, while dr. Mlinar wished her successor every wisdom and success as he took over the reins of the government office.

After today's handover, Minister Boštjan Koritnik took office at the Ministry of Public Administration.

The outgoing Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar handed over power to the incoming Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs on 14 March 2020. They reviewed the matters concerning the sector and signed a record of the meeting.

At the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning (MOP), departing Minister Simon Zajc handed over operations to the new Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Andrej Vizjak.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar handed over the duties to his successor Dr Anže Logar. During the handover, Minister Logar outlined his first activities in office related to the exchange of information with neighbouring counterparts in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

At today’s press conference, given together with Minister of Health Tomaž Gantar and Dr Bojana Beovič, the Head of the Expert Group that provides support to Slovenia’s Crisis Staff for the containment and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, Prime Minister Janez Janša talked about how the Government had decided to change the way the spread of the new coronavirus is monitored.

At today's session, the Government set up a Crisis Management Headquarters of the Republic of Slovenia in order to contain and manage the COVID-19 epidemic. The Government also discussed measures to contain the epidemic.
At the proposal of the Prime Minister, they also appointed Deputy Prime Minister, and Dr Božo Predalič was appointed Secretary General of the Government. They also set up a State Organisation and Public Affairs Committee of the Republic of Slovenia, Economic Committee of the Republic of Slovenia as well as an Administrative Affairs and Appointment Committee of the Republic of Slovenia. Several state secretaries have also been appointed.

Given the epidemiological situation, we have now entered the second phase. We must limit social contact to the greatest possible extent to stem the spread of coronavirus infections in the most effective way and to keep the health system operational. There is no ban on freight traffic from Italy to Slovenia for the transport of postal items, protective equipment and medical supplies, medicines and philanthropic assistance. The border with Italy can also be crossed by freight shipments whose ultimate destination is Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Connection road Ljubečna-motorway junction Celje vzhod. The project with a total budget of EUR 4.35 million is to receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 2.8 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Development of cycling infrastructure along the Koroška cesta street in Maribor. The ITI-funded project, which is worth a total of EUR 330,000, will receive a contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to EUR 160,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a funding decision for the project Development of project documentation for the Third development axis connection road – Slovenj Gradec Southern bypass. The project with a total budget of EUR 831,000 is to receive a contribution from the ERDF amounting to EUR 587,000.