The Republic of Slovenia, rated Baa1 (positive) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs International Bank, HSBC, J.P. Morgan and UniCredit Banka Slovenija to lead manage a new EUR 10-year benchmark due January 2030 in regulation S format (dematerialized registered form). This transaction is expected to be launched in the near future, subject to market conditions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses grave concern over the heightening of tensions between the US and Iran. It condemns the recent acts of violence and armed attacks in Iraq, as these may trigger further disturbances engulfing the entire region. The Ministry calls on all parties involved to de-escalate tensions and preserve peace.

The Ministry condemns any acts of violence and armed conflicts witnessed in Iraq over the past weeks. Such actions heighten the risk of tensions escalating in the entire region.

Slovenia joins the European Union in condemning attacks on coalition forces fighting Da’esh in Iraq and shares the EU’s position on the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this acts and calls on Iraqi authorities to guarantee the security of diplomatic missions in the country.

The Slovenian Foreign Ministry condemns the act of vandalism committed by an unknown perpetrator (or perpetrators) against the building of the Embassy of the Republic of Montenegro in Ljubljana.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the call for proposals “Support environment for culture-related activities 2020” to be published next Friday by the Ministry of Culture. The call for proposals worth a little under EUR 742,000 will receive European Social Fund support in the amount of over EUR 593,000.

After being formally appointed by the National Assembly as the new minister responsible for development, strategic projects and cohesion on Thursday, Dr Angelika Mlinar today took over at the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy (GODC).

Ministry of public administration has been proud to be part of the (European Security Certification Framework) EU-SEC project for the last three years. The main aim of EU-SEC is to improve trust in cloud services by creating a framework under which existing certification and assurance approaches can co-exist. The framework serves basic requirements of the EU Cybersecurity Act and adds an additional layer of trust, assurance and transparency by including continuous auditing-based certifications. It is targeted at cloud stakeholders wishing to improve the business value, efficiency and effectiveness of their approach to cloud security approach to cloud security and privacy compliance. This includes auditors, cloud service providers, regulators, standard owners and cloud users.

2019 is drawing to a close. Since the end of the year is a good opportunity to look back at what has been accomplished and what lies ahead for Slovenia, we have compiled a list of the key achievements in the recent period and the priorities going ahead.

In collaboration with the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the National Assembly organised an event to commemorate the second anniversary of the historical proclamation of World Bee Day. 20 December will mark two years since the UN General Assembly, on the initiative of Slovenia, unanimously adopted the resolution designating 20 May as World Bee Day. The purpose of the event was to highlight all key beekeeping achievements that can also be attributed to the proclamation of World Bee Day. The attendees were received by their host, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Dejan Židan. The event, attended by State Secretary Dr Jože Podgoršek on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, began with the painting of beehive panels in the company of the pupils of the France Bevk Primary School in Ljubljana.

On behalf of the Slovenian Government, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar attended the CEI Summit in Rome gathering prime ministers of the Central European Initiative Member States. In his remarks, he underscored the CEI’s role in the history of European integration processes and opening up of EU prospects for new members

At today’s session, the government approved the wording of the bill for the Act amending the Waters Act and proposed that the bill be considered under the fast-track procedure.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 24th session of the Inter-Ministerial Commission on Human Rights, with the participation of Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina. The main item of the agenda was the Universal Periodic Review of the human rights situation in Slovenia, which was held last month in the UN Human Rights Council.

The Minister of Public Administration Rudi Medved attended the fifth meeting of the Slovenian and Serbian Governments held on 17 December 2019. The visit of the Slovenian Government is a continuation of regular and intensive high-level political dialogue and a continuation of the practice of joint meetings between the two governments. Today's meeting in Novi Sad, which is the fifth such meeting, showed that relations between the two countries have been strengthening in all areas.

"Slovenia wants to be an active partner in Serbia's path to the European Union. For Slovenia, Serbia is an extremely important economic partner in the region. We want to help it tackle the greatest challenges of rural development by offering our knowledge and examples of good practices," said the Prime Minister of the of the Republic of Slovenia, Marjan Šarec, at today's press conference following the meeting of the Governments of the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Serbia in Novi Sad.

The last meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council under Finnish Presidency, which was attended by State Secretary Dr Jože Podgoršek, focused on fishing, agricultural and forestry issues. The ministers adopted the Regulation fixing for 2020 the fishing opportunities in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, reviewed the progress made in negotiations on the reform of the common agricultural policy and exchanged views on the importance of forests and forestry for a sustainable future. As part of preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the State Secretary met with the German and Portuguese ministers of agriculture.

Let the upcoming year 2020 be sealed with happiness, success and health.

“Slovenia wants to be an active partner in Serbia’s European journey. Serbia is an exceptionally important economic partner for us in the region. By sharing our knowledge and examples of good practice, we also want to help Serbia face its most significant rural development challenges”, said Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar is taking part in the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the title Asia and Europe: Together for Effective Multilateralism. During the debate on enhancing the multilateral system and consolidating ASEM partnership on global challenges, he outlined Slovenia’s outlook on multilateralism and its efforts relating to climate change, sustainable development and gender equality.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Madrid on 15–16 December 2019. He met separately with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

The talks focused on bilateral and multilateral cooperation of the two countries, the situation in Asia and some topical international developments. The ministers advocated for enhanced relations between their respective countries at various levels, underlining the need to strengthen cooperation in the economy and science. They also outlined the advantages of the Port of Koper as the leading Northern Adriatic port.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Slovenia today for an official visit. Together with his host, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar, they pleaded for enhanced political and economic cooperation.

Slovenian prime minister Marjan Šarec is attending the regular meeting of the European Council in Brussels. The first day of the meeting, which is being chaired for the first time by its new president, Charles Michel, was dedicated primarily to discussing climate change.

State Secretary Matej Marn gave an introductory address to participants of the Centre for European Perspective Conference, which was held under the title “Alternatives to European Enlargement?”

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken note of the Opinion by Advocate General Pikamäe regarding the jurisdiction of the EU Court of Justice in the action brought by Slovenia against Croatia concerning the infringements of EU law.

Today Slovenia launched national test blockchain infrastructure SI-Chain, which will enable testing of existing and new blockchain applications for public and private sector. Slovenia is first Member State of EU established blockchain test infrastructure, after last week's announcement of China on similar plans in the future. Within the EU framework, Slovenia will activelly participate in the development of use-cases, implemented on European Blockchain Services Infrastructure.

Madrid is hosting the 25th UN Climate Change Conference bringing together states parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to discuss efforts against climate change. Members of the Green Group (Slovenia, Iceland, Costa Rica, Singapore, Cabo Verde and the United Arab Emirates), jointly striving for an effective response to environmental challenges, called for more ambitious climate action in a Joint Ministerial Statement.

Minister Dr Miro Cerar held a working meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas today to discuss bilateral cooperation and key issues within the European Union. Also today, the Trio partners, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia, submitted their draft 18-month Trio Presidency programme to the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU.

Today, the world marks International Human Rights Day, which this year celebrates the efforts of young people to engage in the promotion and protection of human rights. Slovenia strives every day to promote respect for human rights, including in its foreign policy, and today, Foreign Minister Dr Cerar and other Slovenian representatives join in various international events dedicated to this goal.

On the second day of his visit to Kosovo, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec met with members of the 40th Slovenian contingent in Peć. After an official reception with military honours, the prime minister met with commander of the multinational battlegroup Regional Command West (RC West) Daniele Pisani. The majority of the Slovenian contingent is present and established on missions in this area of KFOR’s operations.

After visiting members of the Slovenian contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec spent the afternoon meeting members of the Slovenian contingent serving with KFOR in Kosovo and KFOR commander Major General Michele Risi.

Today marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, unanimously declared by the UN General Assembly at the initiative of Armenia in 2015. On 9 December 1948, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the first document to have a significant impact on combating and preventing the crime of genocide. The purpose of the day is to commemorate the victims of this crime and also to raise awareness of the Convention and to prevent developments that may lead to mass atrocities.

Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec is currently on a two-day working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. On the first day he met with members of the Slovenian contingent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are working as part of EUFOR’s Operation Althea and the NATO forces in Sarajevo.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar today took part in the Rome MED 2019 international conference – Mediterranean Dialogues as a panellist on migration management. Commitment to solidarity, multilateralism and a joint European approach is prerequisite to finding effective solutions, in which Slovenia will remain a credible partner.

During his visit to Rome, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar met with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio. The counterparts endorsed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation at the European and regional levels. Minister Cerar outlined the expectations of the Slovenian national minority regarding its representation in the Italian parliament and the restitution of the National Hall in Trieste.

At today’s session the government adopted the Cultural Heritage Strategy 2020-23, a Plan of Investment in Transport and Transport Infrastructure 2020-25 and a National Strategy for Prevention of Terrorism and Violent Extremism.

Today marks the closure of the project, which was initiated on 8 March by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with women ambassadors to Slovenia. At the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, participating students were first informed of the activities for the promotion of Slovenia and its brand 'I Feel Slovenia', and later they were acquainted with the functioning of the Office of Youth and the role of the youth delegate to the United Nations.

Luxembourg hosted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Plenary Meeting between 2 and 5 December. Slovenia reaffirmed its commitment to remembrance of the Holocaust and the need to disseminate knowledge of the tragic historical events to prevent such horrors from happening ever again.

Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec attended the NATO summit in London, the final event of the marking of this year’s 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Public procurement affects our lives significantly which is why the quality of how we implement public procurement procedures is in the interest of us all believe the participant of the International conference Public procurement in Slovenia and the European Union: Ensuring transparency and integrity in the use of public funding. Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy participated in the conference with the selected pilot project of energy-saving renovation of the Trbovlje General Hospital which was subject to EU funds support.

State Secretary dr. Nevenka Ribič attended the 3rd conference “Programme of projects eSpace” which focused on the 3-year programme implementation period and the presentation of the achievements and results of the project in the field of spatial management, construction and real-estate management. In her address the State Secretary underlined the fact that the projects contribute to our development and that such projects are also welcomed in the next financial perspective.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar concludes his two-day official visit to Belgrade. Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met today to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries, regional challenges, the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, the EU’s enlargement policy. At the Serbian National Assembly, the Slovenian delegation was met by its Speaker Maja Gojković.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, the Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, issued a grant decision for three projects in the field of developing research infrastructure for enhancing the international competitiveness of the Slovenian RDI field, namely SI-LifeWatch, RI-SI-EATRIS and RI-SI-ELIXIR. European Regional Development Fund contribution for all three projects amounts to EUR 8.4 million.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, issued a grant decision for the call for proposals “Support for micro, small and medium-sized tourism-related companied to enhance their material and energy efficiency” to be published by Ministry of Economic Development and Technology on Friday. The total European Regional Development Fund support available under the call for proposals stands at EUR 21.5 million of which EUR 18 million will be allocated to cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija and EUR 3.5 million to cohesion region Zahodna Slovenija.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund, issued a grant decision for the project “Zone at Pild – stage 2”. The project worth EUR 1.4 million will receive European Regional Development Fund support in the amount of EUR 375,000.

The Minister of Public Administration, Rudi Medved, attended the meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the EU (TTE Council), which was held on Tuesday, 3 December 2019, in Brussels.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for EU Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project Expansion of the business-economic infrastructure in the Business Zone Ajdovščina – Pod železnico 3. The project is worth a good EUR 645,000 with the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounting to EUR 245,000.

Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Andrej Benedejčič attended the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention), held in Oslo between 25 and 29 November 2019.

On Monday, December 2, 2019, the reading room of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia is opening an information office, where visitors are welcome to use lists of our archival records and other finding aids, order archival records, or obtain information about the use of such records.

The government has defined the text of the draft Act amending the Intellectual Property Act and adopted a decision to send material aid to Albania following a bilateral request.

On 28 November, Vice Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Qin Gang hosted State Secretary Simona Leskovar for political consultations as part of regular Slovenia-China dialogue. The last consultations took place in February 2017.

The Slovenian Government responded to the appeal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and will allocate EUR 40,000 for urgent humanitarian aid for migrants on the Western Balkan route.

Today, 28 November 2019, a seminar on joint municipal administrations in Bavaria and Slovenia is being held at the Ministry of Public Administration. The seminar was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior on the basis of the programme adopted by the Permanent Slovenian-Bavarian Commission the previous year. The local self-government has been part of the Commission's programme since 1995.

Today and tomorrow, 28 and 29 November 2019, Director-General of the Public Sector Directorate at the Ministry of Public Administration Peter Pogačar and his delegation are attending the EUPAN Directors General meeting.

As part of the response of the EU civil protection mechanism, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia has agreed to send two experts to help coordinate international assistance in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Albania.

State Secretary Dobran Božič today received the President of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Regional Council Piero Mauro Zanin during his visit to the Republic of Slovenia.

Last week, the National Assembly adopted state budgets for the next two years. With the adopted budget for 2020, more than € 10 billion will be spent on priorities in the field of development, welfare state and security; at the same time, it is our responsibility to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for ESIF and Cohesion Fund, has issued a grant decision for the project “Housing communities for vulnerable groups”. The project is worth over EUR 517,000 and will receive over EUR 196,000 of Regional Development Fund support in the frame of Integrated Territorial Investments (ITS) instrument.

On 26 and 27 November 2019, the Public Sector Inspectorate of the Ministry of Public Administration is hosting colleagues from the Administrative Inspection of the Montenegrin Ministry of Public Administration.

Prime Minister Marjan Šarec has visited the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Support and Integration of Migrants accompanied by the Minister of the Interior, Boštjan Poklukar.

State Secretary Simona Leskovar attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in the format of development cooperation ministers. Based on the final report issued by the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons, the ministers discussed the EU’s future financial architecture for development and the support for countries in transition, with particular focus on Sudan and Ethiopia. This was followed by a discussion on gender equality and education in development cooperation.

The Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Ambassador Andrej Benedejčič, stated at the 24th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention: “Only a multilateral approach, assisted by the Convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, can pave the way for a world free of chemical weapons.”

Today marked the beginning of the 10th edition of Slovenian Development Days in Ljubljana, dedicated to the challenges of development cooperation ensuing from climate change, with the first two panel discussions on youth and climate change and on circular economy. “By adopting new political and legislative orientations and the requirement for all Slovenian development cooperation projects or programmes to refrain from promoting an increase in fossil fuel consumption, Slovenia contributes, in concrete terms, to the fulfilment of the Paris Climate Agreement commitment to third countries,” explained Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar in his introductory address.

The eighth session of the Slovenian-Turkish Joint Economic Commission, co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Miro Cerar and the Minister for Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey Dr Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, was held at Brdo Congress Centre today.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, Managing Authority for EU Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, issued a grant decision for the project Housing development the Dečkovo naselje settlement. The project worth a good EUR 13.5 million will receive over EUR 4.6 million of European Regional Development Fund support under the integrated territorial investments (ITI) mechanism.

On 21 and 22 November 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 27th Meeting of the Tallinn Group, which includes 14 countries supporting EU enlargement. By way of introduction, the participants were addressed by Political Director/Director-General for Common Foreign and Security Policy Matej Marn, who underlined the current status of the enlargement policy and its great significance for the stability and implementation of reforms in the region. He also stressed the importance for the EU to send out clear signals, which must be credible and in line with the undertaken commitments.

The meeting of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) in Sharm el-Sheikh, were the widest possible global radiocommunication strategy is considered, is coming to an end.

At today’s session the government approved the wording of the bill for the Act Amending the Code of Property Law.

The meeting of foreign ministers is focused on the preparations for the formal summit of NATO heads of state and government, to be held in London on 3–4 December 2019, marking the Alliance’s 70th anniversary. The ministers have already drafted the framework programme for the summit.

The Third Committee meeting of the UN General Assembly concluded yesterday in New York. Starting on 2 October, the Committee considered and approved some 60 resolutions and decisions over seven weeks.

State Secretary Dobran Božič met with Minister for EU Affairs in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden Hans Dahlgren.

The new slovenia.si website was launched in mid-November, which presents Slovenia through text and video stories and the I Feel Slovenia national brand.

In November, the training as part of the preparations for the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2021 started and will be carried out until the spring of 2021. The preparation and implementation of the training programme is led by the Administration Academy of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Representatives of Slovenia and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia met today in Koper for the fourth session of the Slovenia–Friuli Venezia Giulia Joint Committee. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar and President of the Autonomous Region Massimiliano Fedriga, co-chairs of the Joint Committee, agreed that the cooperation between Slovenia and its neighbouring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia was very valuable. Agenda items for today’s session present the diversity of dialogue between Slovenia and its neighbouring Italian region, reflecting the needs of people on both sides of the border, explained Minister Cerar.

State Secretary Dobran Božič attended the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels, where the new EU budget, preparations for the December European Council, the rule of law and enlargement were discussed.

The successor states to the former SFRY have jointly sold the premises of the former SFRY embassy in Bonn for more than EUR 3.7 million. As stipulated in Annex B to the Agreement on Succession Issues, Slovenia is eligible to receive 14 percent of the total sale proceeds, which amounts to EUR 0.5 million.

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) is currently meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, considering the widest possible global radiocommunication strategy.

A special workshop on human resources management was held today as a result of collaboration between the Ministry of Public Administration and the Observatory for Public Sector Innovation (within the OECD). The focus of the workshop was on the current challenges related to the ageing of the working population and the lack of competent staff, i.e. age management and talent management.

This week, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is on the third mission to Ljubljana with the aim of co-creating systemic solutions for the public procurement process. The mission started yesterday, on 19 November 2019, with promising news, as according to the recently published OECD Government at a Glance report Slovenia ranks among the most developed OECD member countries in terms of the transparency of public procurement process and publicly available information. In Slovenia, information on the procedure, evaluation criteria, selection criteria and related documents are transparent and publicly available.

30 years ago the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

State Secretary Simona Leskovar at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the Ukrainian delegation and representatives of the U-LEAD project. The delegation is visiting Slovenia as part of the high-level study visit on Slovenia’s regional development policy organised by the Centre for European Perspective. The Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories of Ukraine Dmytro Zhyvytskyy is composed of representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development, the Verkhovna Rada and the Office of the President.

At the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council attended by State Secretary Dr Jože Podgoršek, the ministers discussed the environmental and climate aspects of the common agricultural policy (CAP) beyond 2020. The Commission put before the Member States two proposals for regulations laying down the CAP transitional provisions that would ensure continuity in terms of policy implementation and the granting of support to farmers in 2021.

Three decades ago, on 20 November 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, not only to protect children but also to recognise them as holders of rights. It has been almost as long since Slovenia’s foreign policy efforts have been focused on the promotion of children’s rights and the enhancement of their wellbeing. This significant anniversary is also in the focus of this year’s European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which is marked on 18 November at the initiative of Slovenia.

In its publication Government at a Glance for 2019 the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) placed Slovenia in the very top in terms of the openness of public sector data. Slovenia ranks 10th in the world and 5th in the EU, immediately after France, Ireland, Spain and Greece (OURData Index, Table 9.4, p. 151).

In Škofja Loka, Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar hosted Head of the State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media of Bavaria Dr Florian Herrmann, who is attending a session of the Permanent Slovenian-Bavarian Mixed Commission and consultations with citizens on the future of the Union.

On the margins of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, where she met with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Moez Chakchouk, State Secretary Leskovar held talks at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President of France and in the Senate.

On the margins of the Creative Forum, which is being co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Minister Miro Cerar held talks with Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean Nasser Kamel.

The Creative Forum Ljubljana is organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) as a unique platform that links the Southern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans through creativity. Creative industries hold great potential for the Euro-Mediterranean countries seeking to diversify their economies and participate in one of the most dynamic sectors of world commerce. The recommendations and the takeaways from this landmark Forum will feed directly into the UfM roadmap activities and Slovenia’s Positive Agenda for Youth.

At today's 50th regular session the Government has adopted the Action Plan for the repatriation of applicants of Slovenian descent from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Slovenia.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, 16 Slovenian winemakers made a successful appearance at the ProWine Fair in Shanghai. The three-day event is one of the most important wine-related trade fairs in the Asian market. According to the winemakers, the presentation was a great success.

In the most recent OECD report, public procurement, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Administration, was recognised as a part of the Slovenian public sector that stands out in a positive way compared to other countries.

Talks between particular line ministries and representatives of the European Commission are being held from 13 to 15 November 2019. This is a regular technical mission with an emphasis on the overview of the compliance with country-specific recommendations. It will also cover topics envisaged in the chapters of the Country Report.

In the previous week, an event within the international BACID programme intended to improve administrative capacities of the Western Balkan countries was held in Vienna, where the European structure of the implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) model in particular countries was presented to the representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

The fifth meeting of the Standing Joint Committee of senior representatives of successor States to the former SFRY was convened in Zagreb today, four years – almost to the day – after their last meeting, held in Sarajevo on 11 and 12 November 2015. Headed by Senior Representative of the Republic of Slovenia for Succession Issues Mateja Vraničar Erman, the Slovenian delegation urged for consistent and effective implementation of the Agreement on Succession Issues, for the fulfilment of its obligations in good faith and for continuous dialogue among senior representatives to be continued.

Senior government representatives from around the world have gathered in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to celebrate at the highest level the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Slovenia is being represented by Aljaž Arih, Deputy Director-General for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law. The conference, which took place in Cairo in 1994, adopted a groundbreaking programme of action on gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights and health.

At a special invitation, Director General of the Public Sector Directorate Peter Pogačar is attending the OECD Civil Service Leaders' Roundtable held today at the renowned National Administration School (École nationale d'administration – ENA) in Paris.

The 2019 edition of Creative Forum Ljubljana opened on Tuesday evening, 12 November, gathering more than 200 participants from 25 countries in the next few days. On 14 November, ministers and high officials from international organisations and EU institutions will participate in a high-level political conference to seek innovative solutions and shape new policies in cultural and creative industries in dialogue with creative hubs and entrepreneurs. The high-level conference will be attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Miro Cerar and Minister of Culture Zoran Poznič.

State Secretary Damjan Stanonik is attending the 13th meeting of SEE ministers of agriculture in Pristina, Kosovo. This year's host country of the ministerial meeting is the Republic of Kosovo, in collaboration with the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG RRD) that is coordinating cooperation between the Western Balkan countries.

Earlier today in Geneva, the Slovenian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar, presented the progress made in the last five years as part of the Third Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of human rights. The participating countries commended Slovenia on having implemented many of the recommendations received.

Foreign Minister Dr Miro Cerar attended the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on Afghanistan, on the regional security situation in the Gulf and Iran, and on Sudan. During a working lunch, foreign ministers from EU member states were joined by Prime Minister of Sudan Dr Abdalla Hamdok.