News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation Timur Eyvazov one more time.

Each client who submits fingerprints at our external partner VFS Global, from the age of 8, will receive a digital signature form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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