News

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.