News

Minister of Health Janez Poklukar addressed delegates at the 75th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Assembly is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22–28 May 2022. The theme of this year’s Health Assembly is ‘Health for peace, peace for health.’

From 17th to 19th May, Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration hosted an international cyber security exercise in nuclear facilities – KiVA2022, which represents the interface between nuclear safety, security, emergency preparedness and cyber security.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in the regular General Affairs Council session in Brussels. The state secretaries and ministers focused on the preparations for the special meeting of the European Council scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2022. They also exchanged views on how to follow up on the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe and continued the Article 7(1) TEU procedure relating to the hearing held by the Council on the values of the Union in Hungary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs marked Slovenian Diplomacy Day, which is celebrated every year on 22 May, the anniversary of Slovenia’s admission to the United Nations.

This year’s Forest Week (23–29 May 2022) focuses on forest care, which is the main tool guiding forest development as the foundation of diligent forest management. All properly maintained forests have a diligent owner and professional forester. Contemporary forest care takes into account conventional forest care principles, is geared towards the streamlining of measures, subjecting a portion of the forest stands to natural regeneration, and closely adapts to natural and social circumstances and to forest management objectives in an environment with an unstable climate.

On May 21, a big event took place at the Right Queen Colonies farm in Spencer, Ohio, where the Consulate General celebrated all three Slovenian projects, which have been successfully implemented in Ohio and other US states for the past 3 years already: World Bee Day, Planting Honey-bee Friendly Plants Day, and Traditional Healthy Honey Breakfast .
Around 200 visitors were able to attend an educational workshop on beekeeping, see a bee farm and many other domestic animals, honey and wax products, taste honey dishes, learn about Amish life, and the younger visitors could attend children's program with games, bee workshops and ride in the Amish carriage. There was even a “World Bee Day” cake available!

International Geneva celebrates bees today to raise global awareness on the crucial role of bees and pollination for food security, the elimination of hunger and and biodiversity. This is the fifth time that World Bee Day is celebrated in Geneva after it was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2017 at Slovenia’s initiative with support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

European Commission has approved the proposed amendments to Slovenia’s Operational Programme 2014-2020. The approval comes after 18 months of joint activities of the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy (GODC) and line ministries related to the programming of the funding from the React-EU initiative.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Provision of telecare services for patients with chronic diseases.

The second Golden Bee Award was awarded today on World Bee Day. Boštjan Noč, President of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, received the award. Alojz Kovšča, President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, presented the award at the ceremony attended by Jože Podgoršek, Minister and Chair of the Golden Bee Award Committee, and Urška Klakočar Zupančič, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. Numerous events were held around the world to celebrate today's World Bee Day.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan addressed via video link the participants of the festivities on World Bee Day in Ghana organised by the Ghana Beekeepers Association. He stressed the vital role of bees in ensuring food security and the value of expert exchanges between Slovenia and Ghana for the protection of bees.

The Embassy in Copenhagen, in cooperation with the European Environment Agency, organized a "Bee Engaged" awareness event on the occasion of this year's World Bee Day. The discussion took place at the headquarters of the European Environment Agency and was also available online.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration. The ministers discussed the global implications of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, with special focus on food security, on refugee issues with the guest, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, on a coordinated approach in multilateral forums and on the new financial architecture for development.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar took part at the 132nd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe organized by Italian Presidency in Turin. At the heart of the discussion was Council of Europe's response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Russian Federation was expelled from the Council of Europe on 16th of March 2022.

Today marks the fifth World Bee Day, declared by the UN General Assembly on Slovenia’s initiative on 20 December 2017. In this European Year of Youth, World Bee Day is dedicated to the future of beekeeping and the role of young people in raising awareness of its importance.

We will be celebrating three very important nature-related events in the upcoming days – the European Natura 2000 Day (21 May), the International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May), and the European Day of Parks (24 May). Slovenia is one of the most biodiverse countries in Europe. This is also witnessed by the fact that our country has the largest share of Natura 2000 areas among all the EU member states, comprising approx. 37 per cent of the country’s area. We are making great efforts of preserving nature in Slovenia in our secured areas, which comprise 14 per cent of Slovenia’s area.

On 18 May 2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Research Infrastructure Roadmap 2030 (NRRI 2030). NRRI 2030 is an implementation document of the Resolution on Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2030 (ReZrIS30) revising all field segments, i.e. priority international projects as well as national priority areas within research infrastructures. This will be followed by a presentation and definitions of links with the Smart Specialisation Strategy and a presentation of different ways of funding research infrastructures.

On Friday, Slovenia and the entire world will, for the fifth time, commemorate World Bee Day, a celebration declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UN) on 20 December 2017. The main purpose of World Bee Day is to raise the awareness of the global public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in light of food security, global eradication of hunger and care for the environment and biodiversity.

The Minister of Defence Matej Tonin today attended a session of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels composed of the defence ministers of the European Union. The session was intended for discussion on the implementation of the Strategic Compass, with an emphasis on the future operations and missions of the Common Security and Defence Policy and the military aggression against Ukraine.

Members of the Monitoring Committee for the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy in the Period 2014-2021 (OP) today met in 9th regular session at Brdo pri Kranju.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in the Adriatic and Ionian Council/EUSAIR Ministerial Meeting in Tirana, hosted by the Albanian AII Chairmanship/EUSAIR Presidency in the framework of the 7th EUSAIR Annual Forum. The Meeting was chaired by Megi Fino, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania.

Prime Minister Janša today met with Qatari Emir Tamim Sheikh bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who is on an official visit to Slovenia at the invitation of Slovenian President Borut Pahor.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar attended the regular EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels. The main topics were the Western Balkans and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The EU–Canada Joint Ministerial Council meeting took place prior to the Council session.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted last week the strategic starting points for the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the economy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar attended a two-day informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs in Berlin. The ministers discussed the current security challenges resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Invited by the French Consul General Yannick Tagand, the Slovenian Consul General Alenka Jerak appeared on the panel about sustainable development within the framework of the event "Night of Ideas/ Where are we going?" at the Chicago History Museum&Villa Albertina on May 12, 2022.

V skladu s priporočili Strokovne svetovalne skupine ministra za zdravje za zajezitev in obvladovanje epidemije in glede na ugodnejšo epidemiološko sliko in značilnosti različice Omikron, se ukinja pogoj PCT (prebolevnosti, cepljenja oziroma testiranja) za obiskovalce in uporabnike v zdravstveni dejavnosti in socialnem varstvu. Ostajata pa ukrepa obvezno nošenje mask v zdravstveni in socialnovarstveni dejavnosti ter razkuževanje rok ob vstopu v zaprt javni kraj oziroma prostor.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has adopted a decision establishing a public interest in concluding a public–private partnership to implement the "Hybrid Cloud Computing" project. The public–private partnership will be implemented in the form of a contractual partnership.

Igor Jukič, Director-General for Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation, held regular consultations with Slovakian representatives and outlined priorities related to international organisations and development and humanitarian assistance.

In a week's time, on 20 May, Slovenia and the rest of the world will celebrate World Bee Day for the fifth time. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017. Since 2022 is the European Year of Youth, the main topic of this year's celebration are young people and beekeeping. The main purpose of World Bee Day is to raise awareness among the international public about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in the light of food security, the global elimination of hunger and care for the environment and biodiversity.

At 123th regular session, the Slovenian Government issued the Ordinance on temporary measures to prevent and control infections with the COVID-19 infectious disease, which abolishes the RVT (recovered, vaccinated, tested) requirement in all health and social care activities. The Government also adopted decisions relating to Annex 1 to the General Agreement for 2022. The Government also adopted a decree on the basis of the Digital Inclusion Promotion Act, which allows digital vouchers to be used within a month.

On Saturday, 14th May, we shall commemorate the International Migratory Bird Day. The day is meant to raise awareness on migratory birds and the need for an international collaboration for their preservation because this is our common natural heritage. This year’s International Migratory Bird Day is meant to emphasise the importance of raising awareness on light pollution. Light pollution has a significant impact on migratory birds who may lose track of their flight direction and incorrectly assess the time for their migration.

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory letters on the thirtieth anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the countries.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh/ISIS in his capacity as Minister of Development Cooperation. The event was hosted by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Defence minister Matej Tonin, MSc, signed the Memorandum of Understanding to the Boxer Programme in the framework of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) this afternoon in Munich with the director of OCCAR, Matteo Bisceglio.

Folke Straube has been the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in Helsingborg, Sweden for more than 26 years. At his request, he was relieved of his duties in March 2022.

Minister of Digital Transformation Mark Boris Andrijanič paid a working visit to Finland on 4 and 5 May 2022. The main purpose of the visit was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Transformation Cooperation between Slovenia and Finland.

The United Nations have declared 12th May as the International Day of Plant Health, mainly to raise global awareness on how protecting the health of plants contributes to maintaining biodiversity and nature and promotes economic development. Diseases and pests harmful to plants may spread in various ways, even in luggage. Therefore, do not risk bringing plants from abroad and help keep our plants healthy.

Slovenia, together with the European Union, its member states and international partners, condemns in the strongest terms the malicious activity conducted by the Russian Federation against Ukraine targeting the satellite KA-SAT network.

On the basis of the Promotion of Tourism Development Act, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Slovenian Tourism Strategy 2022 – 2028, which represents the basic framework for the development of Slovenian tourism in the next seven years. The strategy responds to the new circumstances and challenges faced by the tourism industry, while developing and promoting the key benefits of Slovenian tourism and our country.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan took part in the 6th Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” organised by the EU. He announced a new humanitarian donation by Slovenia in the amount of EUR 150,000 for the civilian population of Syria. The contribution will be provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for projects ensuring access to water and sanitation.

Prime Minister Janez Janša, along with a number of other European leaders, addressed an online parade called "Solidarity for Victory", which was broadcast on Ukrainian national television.

We would like to inform you that the consular hours will be held in Lemont, IL on Saturday, May 14 2022. Consul General Alenka Jerak will be at the Slovenian Catholic Center (14252 Main St., Lemont, IL 60439) from 11 am to 3 pm.

On 9 May we celebrate Europe Day, a symbol of bridging the divisions between the European nations and of peace that our continent has established and must continue to preserve.

Yesterday in the crowded hall of the Slovenian National Home the 70th anniversary of the Slovenian choir from Cleveland Korotan was marked by a magnificent and emotional concert, led by conductor Janez Sršen.

Today, Ohio is planting honey plants again!
This is how lively it was today at the Slovenian school of St. Mary of the Assumption in Colinwood, when we opened the school Bee Garden with students, teachers and parents and Father Kumše, prepared the ground for planting of the wildflowers, and talked about the importance and impact of the bees on our lives!

In two weeks time, on 20 May, Slovenia and the rest of the world will celebrate World Bee Day for the fifth time. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Bee Day on 20 December 2017. Since 2022 is the European Year of Youth, the main topic of this year's celebration are young people and beekeeping.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in a Quadrilaterale meeting between Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Slovenia in Bern at the invitation of State Secretary at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Livia Leu.

Today, on the margins of the donors’ conference in Warsaw, Prime Minister Janez Janša had an interview at the Polish television TVP World, where he spoke about the achievements of today’s conference.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the donors' conference for Ukraine in Warsaw. The conference was co-hosted by Poland and Sweden, in cooperation with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The United Nations also joined the donors' conference.