News

In the framework of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, water and marine directors met online for their regular twice-yearly informal meeting. The meeting was attended by around 115 participants, including European Commission representatives, EU water and marine directors and their colleagues, as well as representatives of other European countries, the European Environment Agency and several other organisations. The meeting opened with a welcome address by Dr Metka Gorišek, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning.

In the frame of the Government visit to Southeast Slovenia Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač met with the mayors of the municipality of Moravske Toplice and Turnišče. In Lendava the Minister tried out the electric bike renting system by taking a bicycle ride to visit the transnational cooperation project IronCurtainCycling and the location where new housing units will be built in Lendava.

The Management Board of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) held its seventh virtual meeting today.

As part of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the meeting of the Atlas Commanders Forum was held in Ljubljana today and was attended by representatives of the special police units from all EU member states.

The ministers responsible for urban matters will meet online on Friday, 26 November. The main topic of the meeting will be the Urban Agenda for the EU and the adoption of the Ljubljana Agreement. The informal meeting, which will also be attended by the European Commissioner for cohesion and reforms, Elisa Ferreira, will be chaired by the Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Andrej Vizjak.

Slovenian delegation, led by State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs, today participated in the first South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy Monitoring Committee meeting which was held online. The Monitoring Committee consists of delegations from the countries covered by the SEE 2030 Strategy, i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Republic of North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey and a representative of the Regional Cooperation Council secretariat.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today had a meeting at Otočec with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.

The Medical Director of the University Medical Centre Maribor (UKC), izr. prof. dr. Matjaž Vogrin and School Chief Inspector dr. Simon Slokan took part in the press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 epidemic, while the current epidemiological situation in the country was presented by Maja Bratuša.

Minister Dr Logar participated in the international conference on Belarus organised in an online format by Austrian Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Federal Foreign Minister Michael Linhart.

State Secretaries Gašper Dovžan and Stanislav Raščan held separate talks with Special Envoy for the European Union and Europe and Ambassador of Canada to Germany, Stéphane Dion, Ambassador of Canada to the EU Ailish Campbell and non-resident Ambassador of Canada to Slovenia Caroline Charette via video conference.

European Forest Week will be marked next week (22 – 28 November 2021). The week, which was first marked in 2008, offers a unique opportunity to raise the profile of the forestry sector and impact on Europe-wide and global debates on forests. The week is jointly organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The theme of this year's European Forest Week is The Future of Forests.

On 19 and 20 November 2021, the Foreign Minister, Anže Logar, attended the High-Level Forum on Resisting Authoritarianism – “The Future of Democracy” organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. High-level representatives ranging from political decision-makers and academics to human rights defenders and international organisations addressed the most current challenges in the debates related to the shrinking of the democratic space, the consolidation of authoritarianism and the path towards a democratic renaissance.

As part of a two-day meeting, the EU Nature Directors discussed the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the new EU Forest Strategy and wild pollinators. They began by emphasising that, in order to address the loss of biodiversity and climate change, it was imperative to intensify nature-related efforts at all levels.

In the format of ministers for development cooperation, the EU Foreign Affairs Council confirmed the conclusions on water in the EU’s external action, which is one of the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in development cooperation. The EU will strengthen its reputation as the largest development assistance donor and confirm its impact as the key global actor in this field, also in the light of the UN Conference on the Water Action Decade scheduled for March 2023.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the composition of development ministers (FAC DEV). The meeting endorsed two conclusions, including conclusions on water in the EU’s external action, which represents an important milestone in EU water diplomacy and important achievement of Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in a seminar on the Western Balkans in Madrid, which was organised by the Slovenian Embassy in Madrid, the Bled Strategic Forum, and the Elcano Royal Institute. On this occasion, he also met with State Secretary for the European Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain Juan González-Barba Pera. In a separate meeting, the two state secretaries reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on topical European, regional, and global issues. Slovenia and Spain are both focusing their efforts towards strengthening the EU's resilience to crises of all kinds with a view to putting the slogan of the Slovenian Presidency “Together. Resilient. Europe.” into action.

The Meeting of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee of the UN General Assembly, also referred to as the Third Committee, has concluded in New York. The Committee, which opened its meeting on 30 September, adopted more than 60 resolutions. In addition to the Council Presidency, Slovenia is focusing on its priorities in its work within the Third Committee, particularly on the rights of women, the rights of older persons, the rights of the child, human rights and the environment, the human rights situation around the world and issues concerning civil society but is also actively involved in other topics.

At the meeting of the General Affairs Council, the ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy underlined the contribution of Cohesion Policy to reducing and eliminating development gaps, to the green transformation and digital transition and to the economic, social and territorial cohesion. The ministers gave green light to the inclusion of San Marino in the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region.

The Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs today attended a regional ministerial conference entitled "Sarajevo Migration Dialogue" in Sarajevo. The Minister focused on strengthening cooperation and partnership in the region in managing migration and maintaining security.

Minister Jože Podgoršek took part in an interparliamentary meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) via video link. The participants were also addressed by the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Norbert Lins and the European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski. The event focused on the drafting of strategic plans for a reform of the common agricultural policy in the Member States.

Today, 18th November 2021, we are celebrating European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Slovenia is one of the initiating countries, which together with Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and San Marino prepared a statement to mark this day for the 7th year in a row. This year, the biggest number of countries have joint the statement – all 47 member states of the Council of Europe, the European Union and Tunisia.

On Wednesday, 17 November 2021, the 20th European Tourism Forum took place, organised by Slovenia as the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU in cooperation with the European Commission. The event followed an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for tourism on 16 November 2021. The central theme of both events was the creation of a document "Transition Pathways” for the green and digital transformation of Europe’s tourism industry and destinations.

The three-day SME 2021 Assembly, the most significant event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU, is coming to an end. The three-day programme, full of panel discussions, workshops and specialised courses, took place from 15 to 17 November in Portorož, Slovenia, as part of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Today’s press conference on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 epidemic featured Deana Potza from the Health Inspectorate and Marjan Maček, the head of the Financial Control Sector at the Financial Administration (FURS), while the current epidemiological situation in the country was presented by Maja Bratuša.

On the Day of Quality Schemes event organised by the Beekeepers' Association of Slovenia, Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek attended a press conference at which, in addition to quality schemes, the main topics were the Consortium of European Protected Slovenian Products which was established this year, the Slovenian Food Day, Traditional Slovenian Breakfast, a competition for young beekeepers and a nation-wide campaign to plant honey plants.

On Tuesday 16 November 2021, EU tourism ministers held an informal meeting via an audio-video link. The debate focused on the transition pathway for a green and digital transformation of the European tourism ecosystem by 2030.

Under the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Management Board of the European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) is meeting in Ljubljana. The main focus of the meeting is on the timeline for the implementation of smart borders and interoperability projects, which will make an important contribution to ensuring the security of EU member states and enable law enforcement agencies to work even more effectively.

The EU directors-general for humanitarian aid discussed improving coordination and increasing efforts within the working party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid (COHAFA). The Acting Director-General Igor Jukič outlined the achievements and progress the Slovenian Presidency has made so far on humanitarian aid.

The Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, and pediatrician Denis Baš took part in a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update.

In the context of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Frontex Management Board and the border police directors of the Western Balkan countries helds a virtual meeting today to discuss the challenges in managing migration and maintaining security in the region.

Today, on the second day of the 27th regular session of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Janez Janša gave an additional explanation on the answer to Bojana Muršič’s parliamentary question about the increase in the prices of energy and other goods in Slovenia. The decision on the debate was adopted by the National Assembly at its 26th regular session.

Today, the EU ministers responsible for agriculture and fisheries met in Brussels. They focused on forests and their importance in the transition to a green, climate-neutral and competitive circular bioeconomy. They also addressed the findings from the EU Pollinator Week in September and took note of the situation on the agricultural markets. They also discussed the management of large carnivores and the state of play in the negotiations on fishing opportunities with the United Kingdom.

On behalf of the Foreign Minister Anže Logar, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan today attended the regular meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The meeting focused on EU-Western Balkans relations and the situation in the Sahel.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan today attended the College of Europe conference in Bruges entitled “Discussing the Future of Europe – Perspectives and Contributions from the Western Balkans”.

At today's 27th regular session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Prime Minister Janez Janša answered oral parliamentary questions from deputies Matej T. Vatovec (Levica), Marko Bandelli (SAB), Branko Simonovič (DeSUS) and Anja Bah Žibert (SDS). Questions for the Prime Minister were about corruption and the "mafia" running the country, tax payment, the implementation of an extraordinary indexation of pensions and the new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The COP26 climate change conference concluded with the ministerial segment, where negotiations entered their final phase at the political level. During the negotiations, ministers sought consensus on the setting up of a new collective financial target; on new or updated nationally determined contributions and long-term climate strategy; on timeframes and rules for international carbon markets and transparency rules for reporting.

Concluding today's visit to the South-East Slovenia (Jugovzhodna Slovenija) region, members of the Slovenian Government participated in a public debate with mayors, businesspeople and other actors of economic development and replied to their questions.

As part of the Government visit to the Jugovzhodna Slovenija region, Minister for Development and EU Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač attended a meeting with the mayors of the municipalities Kostel and Dobrepolje, tried the traditional preparation of bread in the Sitarjeva hiša house in Dolenjske Toplice, which was renovated with the help of EU funds, met with the management staff of the REM d.o.o. company in Trebnje which successfully draws EU funding to support its further development, and visited the renovated Glavni trg square together with the mayor of Novo mesto.

Today, the Slovenian Government visited the South-East Slovenia (Jugovzhodna Slovenija) region, which comprises the municipalities of Črnomelj, Dolenjske Toplice, Kočevje, Kostel, Loški Potok, Metlika, Mirna, Mirna Peč, Mokronog - Trebelno, Novo mesto, Osilnica, Ribnica, Semič, Sodražica, Straža, Šentjernej, Šentrupert, Škocjan, Šmarješke Toplice, Trebnje and Žužemberk.

Today, Slovenian Minister of the Interior and the current holder of the Presidency of the EU Home Affairs Council Aleš Hojs held a conversation with the Polish Minister of the Interior Mariusz Kamiński about the current situation on the Poland-Belarus border, where, as the Polish Minister said a new illegal migration route is being established.

Ministry of the Interior held a virtual ministerial conference on the prevention and investigation of child sexual abuse in the framework of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs, who is currently presiding the EU Home Affairs Council, chaired the ministerial conference.

On 7 and 8 July 2021, the Presidency organised a virtual expert workshop entitled ‘Towards Disaster Resilience Goals: setting the scene, enabling discussion and designing a common approach for the development of the Union disaster resilience goals in the area of civil protection.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan participated in a seminar hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) on EU-Russia relations and held political consultations with Alexander Grushko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The Minister of Digital Transformation, Mark Boris Andrijanič, was part of the Government delegation that visited the region of South-East Slovenia today. During his visit, the Minister visited Yaskawa Europe Robotics, met with representatives of the Bela krajina business incubator and concluded his working visit at the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto.

On Thursday, 11 November 2021, a regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council comprising trade ministers took place in Brussels. The main topics of the meeting were the World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, including preparations for the upcoming 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and EU-US trade relations. The meeting was chaired by Minister Zdravko Počivalšek in his capacity as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade).

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the opening of the Agile Development Centre of the home appliances manufacturer BSH Hišni Aparati in Nazarje, where he delivered an address.

At its 102nd meeting, the Government adopted an amendment to the Ordinance determining the conditions of entry into the Republic of Slovenia and the Decision on the use of Civil Protection personnel for the care of patients in health or social care institutions. It also adopted the proposal of the Act amending the Act amending the Identity Card Act and took note of a proposal to introduce the photograph capture for the issue of an identity document by the competent authority.

Prime Minister Janša today attended the 4th regular session of the Commission of Inquiry to determine the potential political responsibility of holders of public office for financially inappropriate measures and the allegedly unjustified restriction of rights in the implementation of measures related to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Today, the Slovenian Minister of Public Administration, Boštjan Koritnik, attended a ministerial meeting of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in Paris. Based on the guidelines harmonised at the meeting, the GPAI is seeking to contribute to the responsible development, use and management of human-centred AI systems.

State Secretary Kirbiš Rojs today attended the 17th meeting of the Presidency of the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia to inform the mayors of Slovenian municipalities on most recent developments concerning the use of EU funds by 2030.