News

Today Prime Minister Janez Janša is in Brussels where he met Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Eduard Heger, prior to the special meeting of the European Council. During their talks, the discussion partners spoke about the management of the COVID-19 situation and the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council.

The Minister of the Interior, Aleš Hojs, met with the Greek Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, and the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis A. Mitarachi, in Athens today, as part of preparations for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan today held a consultation with Msgr Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski, the Under-Secretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Pameče 3 Business Zone expansion. The project worth EUR 2.3 million will be implemented by the Urban Municipality Slovenj Gradec under the Agreement on the development of the Koroška region and will receive nearly EUR 1.3 million of European Regional Development Fund support.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar, together with his Austrian and Czech counterparts Alexander Schallenberg and Jakub Kulhánek, visited Tirana and met with Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka, Prime Minister Edi Rama, President Ilir Meta and President of the largest opposition Democratic Party Lulzim Basha. The three ministers travelled to the Albanian capital in the context of a two-day working visit to Skopje and Tirana.

This evening, Prime Minister Janez Janša and his wife Urška Bačovnik Janša attended a concert by the Big Band of the Slovenian Armed Forces Orchestra on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Pekre events. The concert took place outside the Kadetnica military facility in Maribor. On this occasion, Prime Minister Janez Janša also gave an official address.

Minister Andrej Šircelj attended the informal meeting of economic and financial affairs ministers in Lisbon on 21 and 22 May. The recovery following the COVID 19 pandemic remains a key priority of the EU Member States. It is important for the European Union that an inclusive and balanced recovery process ensures resilience and stimulates green and digital transitions at the same time.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, was the guest on a TV Slovenija 3 talk show hosted by Igor Pirkovič. He spoke about vaccination, those who have recovered from COVID-19, curbing the epidemic, vaccination coverage, the current political situation, the balance of political powers, the upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU and the planned priorities.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated this year's landmark Slovenian Diplomacy Day. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence and in the run-up to its EU Council presidency, the Ministry commemorated prominent personalities of Slovenian diplomacy, who have opened new doors in the international arena during the last few decades. This year, the special occasion was dedicated to Štefan Falež, the first Slovenian Ambassador to the Holy See.

In 2019, the world honey yield was 173% higher than in 1961. In 2019, 10,145 beekeepers in Slovenia were taking care of 208,000 hives (3,245 organic), each an average of 21 hives. In 2019, Slovenian beekeepers produced 650 tons of honey, 63% less than in 2018.

The District Court in Ljubljana annulled the enforcement orders for the recovery of EUR 169,000.00 for January 2021 and EUR 169,000.00 for February 2021, issued by the District Court in Ljubljana against the Government Communication Office (UKOM) on the basis of the motion for enforcement filed by Slovenska tiskovna agencija, d.o.o., represented by Bojan Veselinović through the law firm Kozinc and Partners o.p., d.o.o. They also added that the court will decide on the claim and costs in civil proceedings before the District Court in Ljubljana.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved funding for the project Agreement on the development of region: Medvode-Pirniče-Vikrče cycling connection. The project worth EUR 2.2 million will be implemented by the Municipality of Medvode under the Agreement on the development of the Osrednjeslovenska region and will receive EUR 912 thousand of European Regional Development Fund support.

Today at Brdo pri Kranju, Prime Minister Janez Janša held the first introductory debate on the future of Europe entitled “The Future of Europe – Discussion on Strategic Challenges at the Beginning of a pan-European debate”. The participants in the debate were also President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, Adviser to the President Dr Ernest Petrič (through video call), former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitrij Rupel, lawyer Dr Matej Avbelj, lawyer Dr Jurij Toplak and former Member of the European Parliament Zofija Mazej Kukovič.

On Europe day, 9 May, the work on the Conference on the Future of Europe has started. This unique and democratic project will enable Europeans to exchange views and try to find answers regarding the direction of the future development of our continent, the role and positioning of the Union in the changed geopolitical relations and, last but not least, our own existence. What are the foundations that will unite and connect the Europeans in the present as well as in the future? The Council of the EU, which will be chaired by Slovenia for the most of the time during which the conference will be held, the European Parliament, and the European commission will be jointly responsible for the implementation of this major project. In its role as the country holding the presidency, Slovenia will coordinate and represent the positions of the Member States when conducting the conference.

At the press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19 Franc Vindišar, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Damir Orehovec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Deana Potza from the Health Inspectorate, and Alojz Sladič, Head of the General Safety and Security Planning Section from the General Police Division of the General Police Directorate were present.

On the second and concluding day of his working visit to Berlin, Foreign Minister Anže Logar met with President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble. He highlighted the excellent cooperation between the two parliaments and outlined the priority tasks of Slovenia's EU Council presidency. He exchanged views with the German side on topical issues and gave an overview of the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

Today Prime Minister Janez Janša attended training demonstrations as part of the Defender Europe 2021 military exercise. Part of the exercise is also taking place in Slovenia between 1 May and 15 June under the command of the Slovenian Armed Forces Major General Miha Škerbinc. The demonstrations took place at the main training ground of the Slovenian Armed Forces at Poček.

Today is World Bee Day. We welcome you to read an Interview with minister Podgoršek on World Bee Day.

Today we celebrate World Bee Day. On the initiative of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, the Republic of Slovenia proposed that the United Nations Organisation proclaim 20 May as World Bee Day. Numerous events have taken place today. On the occasion of this year's World Bee Day, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) addresses the general public under the slogan Bee Engaged: Building Back Better for Bees.

On the second day of the two-day official visit to Brussels, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik met with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager and the Director-General for Transport, Energy, Environment and Education (DG TREE) Peter Javorčik. The purpose of the two-day visit is part of Slovenia’s preparations for the Presidency to the Council of EU and present priorities in the field of digitisation or digital technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The protection of bees and other pollinators is closely linked with raising the awareness of the wider public on the adverse effects of human activities on pollinators and the devastating consequences these activities might have for life and food. The cultural and creative sectors have a significant impact on raising awareness and changing habits by underlining the problematic and promoting alternative, pollinator-friendly ways of living, consuming, farming, and others.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Business infrastructure in the Industrial and Small Business Zone Neverke. The project worth a good EUR 1 million will be implemented by the Municipality of Pivka under the Agreement on the development of the Primorsko-notranjska region and will receive EUR 709 thousand of European Regional Development Fund support.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Ljutomer Business Zone expansion. The project worth EUR 1 million will be implemented by the Municipality of Ljutomer under the Agreement on the development of the Pomurje region and will receive EUR 355 thousand of European Regional Development Fund support.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project New construction of a business-economic zone Nova Gorica-Kronberk. The EUR 5.9 million project will be implemented by Urban Municipality Nova Gorica under the Agreement on the development of the Goriška region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at nearly EUR 2 million.

As part of the regular political dialogue, Minister Logar met with his host, German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. They talked about activities aimed at enhancing political and economic relations between Slovenia and Germany, with particular focus on strengthening cooperation within the framework of the EU in the light of the upcoming Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

At the press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19 participated Dr Nuška Čakš Jager, Deputy Head of the Centre for Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), Dr Marta Grgič Vitek, National Vaccination Programme Coordinator at the NIJZ, and Leopold Zonik, Director of the Health Centre Bled.

Boštjan Koritnik, the Minister of Public Administration, is on a two-day official visit to Brussels in preparation for the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council in 2021. On the first day of his visit, he met with the EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, representatives of the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Slovenian members of the European Parliament. The purpose of the meeting was to present the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the field of digitisation or digital technologies, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

Today, directors for economic diplomacy at the foreign ministries of Slovenia and France held bilateral economic consultations. The meeting took place in a virtual format. The delegations reviewed the economic cooperation between the two countries, discussed opportunities for closer collaboration in a range of respective areas, and took stock of both countries’ positions on key EU topics.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar held working meetings in the European Parliament in Brussels today. He met with the leaders of the three parliamentary groups and the Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), David McAllister, and briefed them on the priorities of Slovenia's EU Council Presidency. During this period, Minister Logar will assume the role of the EU Council representative in dealings with the European Parliament.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar today attended an extraordinary videoconference of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell convened the meeting to discuss the escalation of tensions in Gaza, Hamas rocket attacks on Israel and the growing number of civilian casualties. The EU foreign ministers also discussed potential EU assistance in defusing tensions.

On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, the second round of consultations between the Slovenian and German international humanitarian law (IHL) committees was held in a virtual format. The first round took place in November 2018.

At the invitation of the Portuguese Secretary of State, Ana Paula Zacarias, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan and German Minister of State Michael Roth took part in the Closing Session of the High-Level Conference “Rule of Law in Europe”. The event was organised by the Portuguese Presidency in Coimbra, Portugal.

We, too, would prefer that the events that occurred in the Slovenian Press Agency had never happened. Unfortunately, they did happen, and they should serve as a reminder and warning to all so that something similar never happens again.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Agreement on the development of region: Tolmin-Modrej. The project worth EUR 3.4 million will be implemented by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency under the Agreement on the development of the Goriška region and will receive EUR 2.1 million of European Regional Development Fund support.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Agreement on the development of region: the Drava cycling connection in the area of the Municipality Radlje ob Dravi and the Municipality Pdvelka, section Vas-Brezno. The project worth EUR 3.9 million will be implemented by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency under the Agreement on the development of the Koroška region and will receive a good EUR 1 million of European Regional Development Fund support.

Zvone Černač, Minister competent for Development and the EU Cohesion Policy, attended the informal audio-video meeting of EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy at the invitation of the Portuguese Minister for Planning, Nelson de Souza.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Road in Zone Pobrežje (upgrading the economic-business zone). The project worth EUR 1.3 million will be implemented by the Urban Municipality of Maribor under the Agreement on the development of the Podravje region and will receive EUR 489 thousand of European Regional Development Fund support.

Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Andrej Vizjak had a meeting with European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Chair of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament, Pascal Canfin, and the Director-General for Transport, Energy, Environment and Education at the General Secretariat of the Council, Peter Javorčik. At the meeting, Minister Vizjak presented the programme and priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the area of the environment and climate.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan attended the informal meeting of ministers and state secretaries for European Affairs in Coimbra, Portugal. The ministers discussed the European Commission's renewed strategy for the outermost regions. As part of the meeting, an EU-wide Foresight Network has been established at the ministerial level, followed by the first “Ministers for the Future” meeting, which was centred on a debate on EU resilience and strategic autonomy.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended a ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of the Manoeuvre Structure of National Protection, entitled: Manoeuvre Structure of National Protection – the Beginning of the Creation of the Slovenian Army. The ceremony, held in the National Gallery in Ljubljana, opened with an introductory address by Interior Minister Aleš Hojs, while the keynote speaker was Igor Bavčar, who served as the minister of the interior between 1990 and 1992.

Prime Minister Janez Janša had a videoconference talk today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They discussed the state of pandemic, which is slowing down in both countries, the vaccination process as well as future challenges. Of particular importance among the latter are combating the new mutations, facilitating the logistics of vaccine distribution and implementing vaccination in less developed countries when there is a plentiful supply of vaccines, a situation which is expected towards the end of this year.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Improving supply of safe drinking water in Urban Municipality Slovenj Gradec. The EUR 4.5 million environmental infrastructure project will be implemented by Urban Municipality Slovenj Gradec under the Agreement on the development of the Koroška region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund standing at over EUR 2.5 million.

Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, joined by members of the delegation, attended the second meeting of the Schengen Forum through a videoconference. The aim of the meeting, convened by the European Commission, was to deepen the political and strategic debate ahead of the presentation of the strategy on the future of Schengen, which is expected to be put forward by the European Commission in early June.

Mateja Logar, head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, and prof. dr. Borut Štrukelj from the Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy participated at press conference on the current situation regarding the COVID-19 disease.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Agreement on the development of region - Slovenian Infrastructure Agency: Ajdovščina-Lokavec. The EUR 2.4 million cycle project that will be implemented by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency under the Agreement on the development of the Goriška region will be supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at EUR 534,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Agreement on the development of region: Kokrica-Brdo. The EUR 362,000 cycle project will be implemented by Urban Municipality Kranj under the Agreement on the development of the Gorenjska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at EUR 155,000.

Today in Luče, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the 2021 Kocbek Award ceremony. He was one of the two award recipients. Ivo Jakob, a member of the club who passed away last year and would have turned ninety this year, also received the award for climbers posthumously.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the Slovenian Army Day central ceremony, which took place at the Training Centre for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief in Ig. Slovenian Army Day is marked on 15 May. On this day in 1991, Slovenian conscripts started serving in the army only in Slovenia, at the two training centres of the then Territorial Defence. A total of 300 conscripts began their military service at the 710th Training Centre in Pekre, near Maribor, and the 510th Training Centre in Ig, near Ljubljana. Slovenian Army Day is a day for preserving the values of Slovenian military history, especially the values of efforts for independence.

"Slovenia is still a welfare state," said Romana Tomc, President of the Strategic Council, at the beginning of their 1st meeting. Everyone can feel the acts of a welfare state on their own skin, most often when they are in a difficult life situation. She stressed that it is therefore important that the system works because of, and for the people. This should be considered by all those who write new regulations and establish new institutions.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša was a keynote speaker at the unveiling of the memorial in Poljče, commemorating the events of over 30 years ago. In May 1991, members of the enlarged presidency and key ministers of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, commanders of the territorial defence and special police units, met in Poljče, and at the proposal of the Minister of Defence, approved the guidelines for Slovenia's defence in the event of YPA aggression. The guidelines were used as a strategic document in the war for Slovenia on 26 June 1991 during the YPA attack. In it, the Slovenian defence forces defended the homeland and defeated the aggressor, the Yugoslav Army. The event in Poljče was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, MA, Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, Director General of the Police Dr. Anton Olaj, State Secretary Bojan Pograjc, MA, and key actors of that time.