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State Secretary Stanislav Raščan received Dumitru Socolan, State Secretary at the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

At today's meeting of the Council of the EU, EU ministers confirmed the compromise deal on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP). The European Parliament and the Council of the EU came to a political agreement on the deal last Friday. The deal covers all three legislative proposals (Strategic Plans Regulation, amendments to the Regulation on the common market organisation and Horizontal Regulation). Minister Jože Podgoršek has attended the meeting on behalf of Slovenia.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended a ceremony at the bridge over the Pšata River in Trzin to mark the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Slovenia and the 30th anniversary of the battle of Trzin with the unveiling of a memorial to Edvard Peperko, who died in the Slovenian war of independence. The memorial was unveiled by President of the Republic Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Janez Janša and blessed by Auxiliary Bishop of Ljubljana Msgr Dr Franc Šuštar. The battle of Trzin was the first battle in which Slovenia won, and therefore all the more important for Slovenia’s ultimate triumph.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the ceremony of the Slovenian World Congress (SWC) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its founding. On this day 30 years ago, more than 500 founding members gathered to make it their mission to bring Slovenians at home and abroad together in science, culture and democracy. At the time of gaining independence, Slovenians living outside Slovenia were particularly committed to having our country internationally recognised.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence organised by the Slovenia in the World (Slovenija v svetu) expatriate association, which took place at the St Stanislaus Institute in Šentvid, as part of the 27th Camp of Slovenians around the World, entitled "Slovenians 30 Years Ago and Today". The Prime Minister gave a speech at the event. The ceremony was preceded by a Mass for the Homeland led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Ljubljana, Dr Anton Jamnik, together with expatriate priests. The Mass for the Homeland was followed by the opening of an exhibition commemorating Slovenia's 30th anniversary.

This morning, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the solemn commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the armed conflict during the war of independence in the Ormož area during the war of independence, where he also delivered a solemn address.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the main celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of Slovenian statehood in the Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin municipalities at which he also delivered a keynote address.

On 24 and 25 June, political and security consultations between Slovenia and the USA were held at the State Department in Washington. They were conducted by Jernej Müller, Director-General of the Directorate for Common Foreign and Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maureen Cormack, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended the central event marking the 30th Slovenian statehood anniversary in Vrhpolje near Vipava, organised by the Association for the Values of Slovenian Independence in cooperation with the Municipality of Vipava and the Vrhpolje Parish.

In today’s address, Prime Minister Janez Janša not only marked the ceremonial state celebrations with those present but also the handover of the presidency of the Council of the EU.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša is attending the second day of the EU Council summit in Brussels, where European leaders are discussing the epidemiological situation and the situation regarding COVID-19 vaccines, economic recovery, and migration and external relations, including relations with Turkey and Russia.

Minister Anže Logar’s message to the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s statehood

Message of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Janez Janša on the occasion of Statehood Day.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar is hosting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva on an official visit. For the first time in fourteen years, Portugal’s foreign minister is paying a visit to Slovenia. “The recent visit to Slovenia by President de Sousa confirmed the excellent bilateral and friendly relations between the two countries and their intensive cooperation in the Trio Presidency”, emphasised Minister Logar. The visit by Minister Santos Silva provides an opportunity to review the Portuguese Presidency’s achievements and to take up the presidency baton.

One week before Slovenia officially takes the helm of the European Union, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar outlined the priorities and objectives of the Slovenian Presidency, which comes at a crucial moment, when the European Union is adopting important packages on green and digital renewal and building its resilience. “The Presidency is an opportunity to strengthen integration within the EU and within its institutions, and to steer development towards an innovative and creative community based on sustainable development," stressed Minister Logar.

At today’s session, the Government decided to make the vaccinated-tested-recovered requirements mandatory for organised public events, public gatherings in enclosed spaces and public gatherings in open-air venues with over 100 participants.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended the handover of the Trio Presidency of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the format of development cooperation ministers. The meeting took the form of an audio-video conference and was attended by the Portuguese State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Francisco André, and the German State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Martin Jäger.

''Let this 30th anniversary fill us with the same enthusiasm that brought us together 30 years ago as we made our historic dream come true. I hope that, together and united, we will build our common future. For those who come after us,'' said Minister Černač in his address on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence in Pivka.

On Wednesday, 23rd June 2021, the Republic of Slovenia successfully entered the markets with its debut Sustainability Bond – a 10-year (July-31) benchmark issuance of EUR 1bn. This landmark transaction makes the Republic of Slovenia the first Sovereign in the CEE and second in the European Union to issue a Sustainability Bond. The success of the transaction, with more than EUR 8.4bn of demand, is a strong testimony of the confidence institutional investors have in the Republic of Slovenia, and particularly in its role in financing environmental and social transition.

Andrej Šter, Head of the Consular Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tomaž Pečjak, Deputy Director General of the Police, took part in today's press conference.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs today attended the 2nd regular meeting of the development council of cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija in Zagorje ob Savi. Ms Kirbiš Rojs spoke about the progress made in implementing cohesion policy in the current period, the developments concerning the national Recovery and Resilience Plan and the progress made so far in preparing the 2021-2027 documents.

In accordance with Council Recommendation 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of this restriction, including amendments thereto, the Republic of Slovenia allows entry into the Republic of Slovenia as of 14 June 2021 for non-essential travel as well. The information has been updated according to entry conditions applicable as of 19 June 2021.

Today, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan took part in the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Member States. The meeting was held in a virtual format under the Montenegrin chairmanship and was marked by the strong interest the Executive Board has shown in seeking solutions to overcome the crisis in the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project ''Upgrade of the water supply system B. The EUR 36 million environmental infrastructure project will be implemented by Municipality Rogašovci as the project promoter together with municipalities Beltinci, Cankova, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Hodoš, Kuzma, Moravske Toplice, Murska Sobota, Puconci, Šalovci and Tišina under the Agreement on the development of the Pomurje region. The project will receive a contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to nearly EUR 22 million.

As part of the ministerial meeting of the Informal Network of Public Administrations of the EU Member States (EUPAN) in Lisbon, today, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik met with Alexandra Leitão, Portuguese Minister for the Modernisation of the State Administration. They talked about the EU Leadership Exchange Programme. Minister Koritnik also presented the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Upper Sava River basin – Municipality Gorje. The EUR 1 million project will be implemented by Municipality Gorje under the Agreement on the development of the Gorenjska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund totalling EUR 320,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Road and cycling infrastructure in Grosuplje. The EUR 8.8 million project will be implemented by Municipality Grosuplje under the Agreement on the development of the Osrednjeslovenska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at EUR 1.4 million.

Following the General Affairs Council meeting, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan also took part in the Intergovernmental Conferences at the ministerial level on the accession of Montenegro and Serbia to the EU. The Conferences confirmed the political guidelines on the continuation of the enlargement negotiations for these two candidate countries.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the official celebrations to mark the municipal holiday of Grosuplje and the Statehood Day, at which he was also the main speaker. In his address, the Prime Minister spoke about the events of 30 years ago, the road travelled and the situation today, which – despite some missed opportunities – should fill us with joy. The event took place at Kucelj, the highest peak of the Municipality of Grosuplje.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar visited Munich today, where he met with Bavarian Minister for European and International Affairs Melanie Huml. They discussed the activities for enhancing political and economic relations between Slovenia and Bavaria in the light of the upcoming Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

Members of the General Affairs Council discussed the preparations for the June European Council, EU enlargement, and the stabilisation and association process, and took note of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Under “any other business”, they held a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union.

Interior Minister Aleš Hojs attended the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting in Lisbon today. At the meeting, he presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of justice and home affairs.

Republic of Slovenia - Debut Sustainability 10-year EUR 1bn (no-grow) Bond Offering

Minister Zvone Černač attended the opening ceremony of the Youth Community Housing Gerbičeva in Ljubljana at the invitation of the Housing Fund of the Republic of Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Drava River basin – Municipality Duplek. The EUR 2.5 million wastewater infrastructure project, which Municipality Duplek will implement under the Agreement on the Development of the Podravje Region, will receive EUR 1.1 million of Cohesion Fund support.

Today, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik attended the meeting of Ministers of the Informal Network of Public Administrations of the EU Member States (EUPAN) in Lisbon. He appeared as a keynote speaker on the panel discussing skills, leadership and mobility in public administration.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan held a videoconference call with Colm Brophy, the Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. The pair discussed development cooperation, including the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, now just a matter of days away.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in Ljubljanica River basin – Municipality Brezovica – Agreement on the development of region. The nearly EUR 11 million environmental infrastructure project will be implemented by Municipality Brezovica under the Agreement on the development of the Osrednjeslovenska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to EUR 3.7 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Senior day care centre – Planina. The EUR 1 million 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 280,000.

Prime Minister Janez Janša spoke today on Televizija Slovenija about the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence, preparations for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU and other current political issues.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a ceremony marking the end of the BOR Operation, at which he delivered a welcome address, and the keynote speaker was Stane Praprotnik, a member of the National Emergency Coordination Group, which led the country's defence against the Yugoslav People's Army. In front of the memorial to the fallen police officers in the war for Slovenia, the Prime Minister laid a wreath in the Tacen Memorial Park together with the key actors of the time: Igor Bavčar, Brigadier General Anton Krkovič and Dimitrij Rupel.

On the eve of the meeting of the General Affairs Council, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held talks with the Dutch representative in the General Affairs Council and Foreign Minister, Sigrid Kaag.
He also visited the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Auditors with headquarters in Luxembourg.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Belarus, Iraq and Latin America. The Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovska joined the ministers for an informal breakfast before the Council meeting, presenting the current situation and expectations following the activities undertaken by the European Union aimed at the democratisation of Belarus.

The Republic of Slovenia - Global Investor Call with ESG investors

The 47th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council begins in Geneva and is to take place from 21 June to 13 July 2021. As regards the topics in the focus of the Session, Slovenia will be particularly interested in gender equality and the empowerment of women, human rights and the environment, the impact of new technologies on the enjoyment of human rights, and the human rights situation in individual countries.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša gave an interview for the Indian television. He spoke about Slovenia's preparation for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the priorities during the presidency, the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, the importance of vaccination in creating a 'new normal', the importance of integration between democratic and sovereign countries and the role of India in this process, the attitude towards China and the atmosphere in Slovenia after the end of the epidemic.

Today, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan attended the first plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe in the European Parliament in Strasbourg via videoconference. In his address, he emphasised that the Conference must strive to raise awareness of the historical achievements and the importance of the integration process in Europe. "It simply should not be taken for granted. It is the foundation of our coexistence and peace, security, and prosperity. Therefore, we must spread this awareness, especially among young people," stressed State Secretary Dovžan.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today, at the invitation of Mayor Ivan Žagar, attended the municipal ceremony in Slovenska Bistrica to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence and the seizing of the military storage facility in Zgornja Ložnica, where he also delivered a keynote address. As part of the ceremony, the busts of Dr Jože Pučnik and Ivan Pučnik made by the sculptor and restorer Viktor Gojkovič were unveiled in the park near the municipal building.

Foreign Minister Logar visited Paris and met with his host, French Foreign Minister Le Drian, with whom he exchanged views on the priorities of the Slovenian EU Presidency. Minister Logar also met with French National Assembly Vice-President Laëtitia Saint-Paul. They confirmed the excellent relations, pointing out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the conclusion of the strategic partnership, which significantly stimulated bilateral relations and put them at the highest level. In addition to membership of the European Union and NATO, Slovenia and France also share Alpine and Mediterranean identities.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan attended the Quadrilateral meeting between Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Slovenia, this time in Vaduz, at the invitation of Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Martin Frick. Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland share closely aligned values, face numerous challenges and promote a common approach in a demanding international environment.

Today, on 18 June 2021, Minister Andrej Šircelj attended the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Luxembourg. Ministers took stock in particular on recovery and resilience plans, economic recovery in the European Union, the European Semester and value-added tax.

State Secretary Raščan addressed a virtual conference on security challenges in the Balkan region, emphasising the importance of Western Balkans’ EU and NATO accession to bolster stability and improve the reform process in the countries of the region.

As Slovenia prepares to hold the Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2021, Slovenian Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs and delegation made a two-day visit to Cyprus and held talks with Cypriot Minister of the Interior Nicos Nouris and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides, focusing on the preparations for the upcoming Slovenian Presidency.

At the virtual Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan announced Slovenia's humanitarian contribution in the amount of 60,000 euros. The contribution will be directed to efforts to provide support to Venezuelan refugees in Brazil through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in two parts, this year and next.

In view of the upcoming Slovenian EU Council Presidency, Director-General for European Union Affairs Barbara Sušnik held talks with Mārtiņš Klīve, the Director of the European Union Coordination and Policies Department of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, via videoconference.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended a ministerial meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Antalya.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs addressed the participants of the conference Tourism Development 4.0 hosted by the company Arctur, d.o.o. on the closure of the project Tourism 4.0 TRL 3-6. She presented the opportunities for the tourism sector under Slovenia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

Director-General for European Affairs Barbara Sušnik participated in a videoconference meeting of the EU Council Presidency Trio of Slovenia, Germany and Portugal, presenting the priorities Slovenia will pursue during its Presidency.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan and State Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister of Czechia Milena Hrdinková confirmed the excellent cooperation between Slovenia and Czechia through a videoconference. They expressed satisfaction that the two countries are working closely together in many areas, sharing many similar views on European and international issues.

Ahead of the fast-approaching Slovenian EU Council Presidency, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held talks with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Rumen Alexandrov, via videoconference. The central topic of conversation was the priorities of Slovenia's Presidency.

Today Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the National Focal Point, officially launched the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Slovenia. The online event Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe was attended by around 300 participants with opening addresses delivered by State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs and Ambassador of Norway H.E. Trine Skymoen. After the launching event the applicant workshop provided the potential applicants with an overview of the calls for proposals under the programmes Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and Education – Enhancing Human Capital.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar participated in the 16th Bratislava Forum as part of GLOBSEC. Taking place from 15 to 17 June, the Forum is one of the most prominent conferences in Central and Eastern Europe addressing current strategic issues. This year, it focused on post-pandemic recovery, both from an economic and technological point of view, as well as from the aspect of building trust and strengthening the global role of the European Union.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the opening ceremony of the new passenger terminal at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where he was also the main speaker. Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister met with representatives of Fraport AG – Dr Pierre Dominique Prümm, Member of the Executive Board of Fraport AG and Executive Director for Aviation and Infrastructure, Holger Schaefers, Head of Investor Committee, and Zmago Skobir, Managing Director of Fraport Slovenia –, followed by a tour of the new terminal.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs participated in an online expert consultation “Who will be eligible to the billions of EU funding?” where she presented the opportunities for companies and municipalities in the frame of Slovenia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan as well as the implementation of the 2021-2027 EU Cohesion Policy. The online consultation that was organised by the company Tiko Pro had around 700 participants.

Today marks the beginning of a two-day virtual UN International Procurement Seminar, with Slovenia participating for the second time, this time in partnership with the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and the public agency SPIRIT Slovenia supported Slovenia’s participation in terms of organisation and finances.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended a working meeting with G7 ambassadors following on from the recently-concluded G7 summit of the seven largest advanced economies.

Minister Jože Podgoršek has attended an informal meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers. The meeting was important in view of the possible continuation of the ministerial discussion on key remaining questions about the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, taking into account that the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament did not reach an agreement at the last meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The ministers have also discussed the topics of "Food systems, innovation and management of natural resources" and "Future of the Common Fisheries Policy". The meeting was important in light of the preparation for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The press conference on the COVID-19 situation was attended byState Secretary at the Ministry of Health Franc Vindišar and State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Mateja Ribič.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan and State Secretary Arnoldas Pranckevičius at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania held talks via videoconference, discussing the upcoming Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project COVID19 – Integrated energy-saving renovation of the Hospital building of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Total project value of EUR 50 million will be covered by the European Regional Development Fund under the React-EU initiative. The project, implemented by the Ministry of Health, is already the sixth project financed by the React-EU grants under the NextGenerationEU recovery plan.

Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač attended today’s annual session of the Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia. In his presentation to the mayors he outlined the state of play in the field of European Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 implementation and the most recent info on the 2021-2027 programming period as well as the national Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Prime Minister Janez Janša is today attending a NATO Summit in Brussels that will focus on the NATO 2030 process – a forward-looking agenda centred on adapting NATO to meet new challenges.

This year’s report on the realisation of the 2030 Agenda sustainable development goals, issued by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) under the auspices of the United Nations Organization (OZN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung foundation and Cambridge University Press, ranks Slovenia in the 9th place out of 165 countries. Slovenia has been most effective in eradicating extreme forms of poverty, ensuring decent work and economic growth and enhancing peace, justice and strong institutions.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Incentives for digital transformation of SMEs (P4D React EU). A total of EUR 30 million will be available under the call for proposals that will be implemented by the Slovene Enterprise Fund. The entire amount will come from the European Regional Development Fund under the React-EU initiative. This is already the fifth investment in a series of investments under React-EU, an initiative designed to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and prepare a green, digital and resilient post-Covid-19 recovery of the Member States’ economies.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan and Parliamentary Secretary at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica held talks via videoconference, with the main topic covering Slovenia's upcoming EU Council Presidency and its priority tasks.

The press conference to provide updates on COVID-19 featured Director of the National Institute of Public Health Milan Krek.

As of 14 June 2021, entry into the Republic of Slovenia is possible for non-essential travel in accordance with the Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction, including amendments thereto.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in an informal videoconference of the EU Foreign Affairs Council attended by development ministers, at which they discussed the cooperation between the European Union and middle-income countries as well as human development.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held talks with the Parliamentary Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. State Secretary Dovžan briefed his counterpart on the fast approaching Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

The press conference to give a Covid-19 update was attended by the Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, and the head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, Dr Mateja Logar.

With the amendment to the Foreigners Act, the Republic of Slovenia transposed into national law the Directive (EU) 2016/801 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Reconstruction of the section Cerknica-Bloška Polica. The EUR 3.6 million reconstruction project will be implemented by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency under the Agreement on the development of the Primorsko-Notranjska region and will be supported by the EU with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at over EUR 2.5 million.

Before Slovenia officially assumes the EU Council Presidency, Barbara Sušnik, Director-General for European Union Affairs, held bilateral consultations via videoconference with Aniela Crețu, Special Representative for EU Affairs at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Dr Jože Podgoršek, hosted today at Brdo the Ambassadors of the Member States of the European Union (EU). Central focus was on presentation of priority tasks of Slovenia’s Presidency of the EU Council in the sector of agriculture, forestry and food, and on principal events to be organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF) during the Presidency. Using this opportunity, the Minister presented to the Ambassadors the Traditional Slovenian Breakfast project to take place tomorrow in all the Slovenian schools and kindergartens – in the past year, on account of the epidemic, the breakfast could not be carried out, and had to be postponed.

Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Andrej Vizjak attended the last meeting of the Environment Council before the start of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Portuguese Presidency presented the report on the progress made in negotiations on the proposal for a regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, which is an integral part of the European Green Deal. The Council Conclusions on EU strategy on adaptation to climate change were also adopted, where the ministers welcomed the preparation of the adaptation communication in line with the Paris Agreement to be submitted to the UNFCCC. The ministers also exchanged views on the action plan on zero pollution, which sets out a vision for zero-pollution by 2050 and horizontally addresses all aspect of pollution. At the end of the meeting, Minister Vizjak presented the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the field of the environment.

In advance of Slovenia's approaching EU Council Presidency, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held talks with State Secretary for the European Union Affairs at the Croatian Foreign Ministry, Andreja Metelko Zgombić, via videoconference. State Secretary Dovžan briefed his counterpart on the priorities of Slovenia's Presidency in the second half of this year.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Upgrading the water supply system C – Phase 2. The project worth EUR 10.9 million will be implemented by Municipality Gornja Radgona in cooperation with Municipality Apače and Municipality Sveti Jurij ob Ščavnici under the Agreement on the development of the Pomurje region. The Cohesion Fund contribution stands at EUR 4.8 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Promoting vocational education and training 2021-2022. The project worth EUR 700 thousand will be implemented by the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training and will receive EUR 560 thousand of European Social Fund support.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Drava River basin – Municipality Šentilj. The project worth a little under EUR 1.6 million will be implemented by the municipality Šentilj under the Agreement on the Development of the Podravje region and will receive EUR 553 thousand of Cohesion Fund support.

Today Prime Minister Janez Janša met with the President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Swiss Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Guy Parmelin, who is currently on an official visit to Slovenia. At their meeting in Ljubljana, they primarily discussed the priorities of Slovenia’s EU Presidency and current international developments.

Prime Minister Janez Janša meet today with President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of the Economy, Education and Research, Guy Parmelin.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan held consultations with Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, ahead of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan met with Wendy Morton, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who is on a two-day visit to Slovenia.

Before the launch of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Director-General Barbara Sušnik held bilateral consultations with the Secretary General for European Union Affairs at the Cypriot Foreign Ministry, Philippa Karsera, via an audio-video link.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in an online meeting with Polish Minister for European Affairs Konrad Szymański. The State Secretary briefed his counterpart on the priorities of Slovenia's EU Council Presidency, which will take place in the second half of this year. He highlighted the importance of the Union's quick economic recovery, resilience to future crises and ensuring strategic autonomy. He also mentioned the Conference on the Future of Europe, where Slovenia will play an important role as the EU presiding country.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan participated in a videoconference with Märt Volmer, Undersecretary for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Prime Minister Janez Janša attended today’s opening ceremony of the Cooperative Union of Slovenia congress entitled "Na temeljih tradicije v poslovni model prihodnosti” (Developing a Business Model of the Future Based on Tradition), addressing the decision-makers in Slovenian cooperatives.

Secretary of State, Mr Aleš Irgolič, MSc, participated in the Informal Videoconference of Fisheries Ministers. The session was important as the ministers competent for fisheries conducted the discussion and confirmed the final agreement in principle on fishing possibilities in 2021, and on the deep sea fish stocks for 2021 and 2022, which had most recently been reached between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals Appeal Chamber unanimously rejected all grounds of appeal by Ratko Mladić, former Bosnian Serb army chief, thereby confirming the first-instance judgement. In 2017, Ratko Mladić was found guilty of genocide in Srebrenica, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment.