News

Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland congratulates Joe Valencic on his induction into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He is the seventh Slovenian-American to be awarded this honor.

Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon hosted the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg. This was the first bilateral meeting she has hosted since assuming her duties.

Prime Minister Robert Golob met today with Austrian Minister of European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, who is paying a visit to Slovenia.

On 20 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the decision to proclaim June 7th World Food Safety Day, which is being marked this year for the fourth time. This year’s slogan is “Safer food, better health”.

Ministers responsible for telecommunications held a debate on the digital and green transition at a meeting of the Telecommunications Council on June 3 2022. Ambassador Tamara Weingerl Požar represented Slovenia at this meeting.

A group of hard-working volunteers performed a clean-up and beautifying of the Slovenian Cultural Garden today. The garden is part of the wonderful Cultural Gardens, and it is located at 820 East Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio. Come for a visit anytime!

On June 2nd, a handover ceremony took place at the Government Office for Digital Transformation. Former minister Mr Mark Andijanič congratulated the new minister, dr. Emilija Stojmenova Duh, who thanked her predecessor for his work and emphasized that her new team will continue the good effort.

Yesterday, the National Assembly confirmed the 15th Government of the Republic of Slovenia and appointed Dr Asta Vrečko as the new Minister of Culture. The handover took place today at the Ministry of Culture. After assuming office, Ms Vrečko thanked outgoing Minister Vasko Simoniti for the handover note, outlined her vision for the management of the Ministry of Culture and announced a strategically oriented cultural policy that has been neglected for 10 years.

Political Director and Director-General for common foreign and security policy Jernej Müller attended the 14th session of the Jordan-EU Association Council in Jordan. The session was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and saw the participation of European Commission Olivér Varhelyi and representatives of EU Member States, including ministers of foreign affairs of Cyprus, Luxembourg, Ireland and Greece.

Dr Aleksander Jevšek today took over the reins at the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy from his predecessor Zvone Černač.

Today, Minister Irena Šinko and outgoing Minister Jože Podgoršek completed the handover at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Jože Podgoršek thanked all colleagues for their constructive cooperation and encouraged them to maintain their love for the sector and continue to work enthusiastically. He wished his successor every success in her role at the helm of one of the most demanding sectors, in particular in the difficult period ahead. The new Minister thanked the outgoing Minister for his work so far and for a correct handover, wishing him every success in the future. She also presented the areas that will be crucial during her term in office.

After the handover, the newly-appointed Minister of the Interior, Tatjana Bobnar, and the Acting Director General of the Police, Boštjan Lindav gave a statement to the media.

On Thursday, June 2, the handover of business between the current Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, MSc, and the new Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec.

Today, former Minister Boštjan Koritnik handed over the official business to newly appointed Minister Sanja Ajanović Hovnik. Upon taking up her duties, Minister Ajanović Hovnik thanked her predecessor for his work and outlined her vision at the helm of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Today, former Minister Dr Anže Logar handed over the official business to newly appointed Minister Tanja Fajon. Upon taking up her duties, Minister Fajon thanked her predecessor for his work and outlined her vision at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia under the leadership of Robert Golob met at their inaugural sessions today and adopted multiple decisions.

This evening, Prime Minister Robert Golob and outgoing Prime Minister Janez Janša completed the handover. After the talks, they made a brief statement to the press.

The campaign “30 Years of Slovenia’s UN Membership” concluded with a virtual round table organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovenian UN Association to discuss the past and the future of the Organization.

Director-General of the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs and Development Cooperation Igor Jukič took part in the second dialogue of the Global Governance Group (3G) and the chairing G20 Troika. The hybrid event was hosted by Foreign Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša continues to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels. At the meeting, European leaders are discussing the situation in Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.

Today, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša is attending a special European Council meeting in Brussels. The European Council meeting will also take place tomorrow with discussions on Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.

On this year's World Bee Day, Mr Mir Mohsen Mousavian, director of the National Union of Beekeepers of Iran, published a post on his Instagram page dedicated to the former Ambassador of Slovenia to Iran, H.E. Mrs. Kristina Radej, and her efforts to develop Iranian beekeeping and to connect Iranian and Slovenian beekeepers.

World No Tobacco Day is commemorated on 31 May. This year’s focus is on the harmful effects of tobacco on the environment under the slogan, Tobacco: Threat to Our Environment. To this end, the Ministry of Health together with the National Institute of Public Health, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and non-governmental organisations involved in tobacco today organised a national symposium on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.

One of the most important Slovenian writers, a fighter for the national rights of Slovenians living abroad and an advocate of the importance of a nation, a Slovenian living in Italy and a great man has died today aged 108.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Energy-efficient renovation of the Soča Curricular and Extra-Curricular Centre.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan took part in the celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of Slovenia’s membership of the United Nations (UN) and World Bee Day in Vienna.

The 11th Africa Day International Conference, organised under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor and in the framework of the Bled Strategic Forum, focused on the opportunities for cooperation between Africa and Europe in promoting responsible innovation and responsible governance of new technologies, as well as the role technology can play in shaping creative and cultural sectors.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan is paying a working visit to Bratislava to talk about strengthening economic cooperation between Slovenia and Slovakia. He met with Lucia Kišš, Director General for Economic and Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Utility infrastructure development in Zlatoličje manufacturing zone - municipality Starše.

Minister Jože Podgoršek attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The European Commission reported on the market situation for agri-food products in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ministers adopted Council conclusions on vaccination as a complementary tool to current measures for the prevention and control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Numerous initiatives launched by member states were discussed as AOB items.

The Europe day event in Ulanbataar, Mongolia was held on the 24th of May. The opening speeches were delivered by H.E. Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia, Ms. Axelle Nicaise, H.E. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Battsetseg Batmunkh, and the Governor of Ulaanbaatar Mr. Sumiyabazar Dolgorsuren, the Governor of the Capital City and the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar. The Slovenian booth was promoting the Slovenian Green Nature and Green sustainable Tourism program.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Mexican recognition of Slovenia on 22 May 1992, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held an audio-video conference with the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Carmen Moreno Toscano.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the representatives of Fides – trade union of doctors and dentists of Slovenia.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša took part at a working meeting via videoconference before the forthcoming extraordinary session of the European Council.

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.