News

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended an event on the sidelines of the COP26 conference on cooperation between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in the fight against climate change via audio-video conference.

Today, Prime Minister Janša held a video conference call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen.

Today's press conference to give a COVID-19 update was presented by State Secretary at the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Simon Zajc, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Damir Orehovec, and the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Franc Vindišar, who explained the new government ordinance, which sets out measures to enable the economy and society to function in the current serious epidemiological situation. The ordinance is in force as of 8 November.

The second Plenary Meeting of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is taking place in November, once again in a virtual format due to the epidemiological situation. The Slovenian delegation to IHRA headed by Mark Rakovec is attending the meeting. Slovenia has been an IHRA member since 2011.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan addressed the participants of a National Assembly meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia, underlining and welcoming the progress Armenia has made on its path towards European values and norms.

The ProWine 2021 international fair has opened its doors in Shanghai. Fourteen Slovenian winemakers are featured at the fair under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and in cooperation with Chinese representatives. The fair, which will run for three days, is one of the most important business fairs in the field of winemaking in the Asian market.

The Director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) Uroš Urbanija and the Acting Director of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) Igor Kadunc signed a public service contract for the STA this year.

As part of the Council presidency, Branko Ravnik, Director-General of the Agriculture Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, hosted via video conference an informal meeting of directors-general responsible for national strategic plans for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In the light of the CAP reform, which will be introduced in 2023 on the basis of the national CAP Strategic Plans, the meeting revolved around the challenges and opportunities faced by Member States in relation to green architecture, in particular the new eco-scheme.

Jernej Müller, Political Director and Director-General for Common Foreign and Security Policy, met with Ambassador Fayiz Khouri, Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in Amman.

At a press conference, the Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar, the head of the advisory group at the Ministry of Health, Mateja Logar, and the Director of the National Institute of Public Health, Milan Krek presented new measures adopted today by the Government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Minister of Digital Transformation, Mark Boris Andrijanič, today met with the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič. They discussed the challenges and advantages of the Slovenian study process, particularly in the field of science and technical skills.

Prime Minister Janša today met with the representatives of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the EU (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC)

The European Science Festival will take place from 9 to 11 November 2021 under the leadership of the Slovenian Science Foundation (SZF) on the occasion of World Science Day for Peace and Development (10 November), as an associated event of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In his capacity as Minister for Development Cooperation, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan addressed the participants of the first EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Bishkek. He stressed the importance of digital cooperation between countries and regions.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are pleased to present some of Slovenia's treasures at this photographic exhibition.

We warmly invite you to come visit, experience and truly FEEL sLOVEnia for yourself!

From 8 to 22 November 2021 at The Hague City Hall (Atrium), Spui 70, 2511 BT Den Haag.

Minister of Infrastructure Jernej Vrtovec today attended the Energy Day at the 26th summit of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26). Slovenia joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance initiative and endorsed the Statement on Public Support for the Clean Energy Transition at COP26.

Today, 4 November 2021, the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mark Boris Andrijanič, met with the Montenegrin Minister of Public Administration, Digitalisation and Media, Tamara Srzentić.

Following the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, a number of bilateral meetings between the EU and other countries and groups of countries, including China, Japan, the USA, Australia, Russia and the group of least developed countries (LDCs), are taking place under the leadership of the Slovenian Presidency. In the following days, several other bilateral meetings will also take place.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today in Ljubljana with representatives of the European Muslim and Jewish Leadership Council, co-chaired by Dr Nedžad Grabus, Mufti of Sarajevo and former Mufti of Ljubljana, and Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis and Chief Rabbi of Moscow.

In Ljubljana today, Prime Minister Janez Janša met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who is on an official visit to Slovenia.

Present at today’s press conference on inspections of compliance with the recovered/vaccinated/tested rule were Inspector Deana Potza from the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia, Acting Chief Inspector Martina Gašperlin from the Market Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia, Deputy Director General of the Police Stanislav Vrečar and Government spokesperson Maja Bratuša.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, on his first official visit to Slovenia today. The talks between the two Ministers focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields of common interest.

Entry into the Republic of Slovenia is possible for non-essential travel in accordance with Council Recommendation (EU) 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of such restriction, including amendments thereto. The information was updated on 10 January 2022.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs addressed the participants of the 3rd conference on civil engineering, spatial planning and environment which this year focused on amendments of the legislation pertaining to construction and spatial planning in light of the priorities of the EU recovery and resilience funds. State Secretary presented the investment priorities supported by the European Cohesion Policy funds and the Recovery and Resilience facility in the frame of construction and environment projects.

Today, Prime Minister Janša attended the opening ceremony of APILAB – HOUSE OF THE CARNIOLAN BEE Centre for Innovative Technologies in Višnja Gora. The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek and the Minister competent for Development and European Cohesion Policy Zvone Černač. At the ceremony, which was enriched with a short cultural programme, Prime Minister Janez Janša also delivered an address.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar is visiting Athens today, where he met with his Greek host Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs. They discussed strengthening bilateral, regional and European integration towards a stronger and more resilient Europe. The visit of Minister Logar to Greece in the light of Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and its recent accession to the EU Med group in September this year is of vital importance for the country.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša convened a working consultation session entitled “The Slovenian energy sector today, in 2033 and beyond”.

Head of the vaccination advisory group Bojana Beović and Maja Bratuša participated at the press conference on the current situation regarding COVID-19.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia has nominated the Madagascar-based Missionary Pedro Opeka for the Raoul Wallenberg Prize of the Council of Europe for exceptional humanitarian achievements.

Heads of state and government, including Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, will today conclude their two-day climate summit in Glasgow. The next two weeks of the conference will focus in particular on the climate negotiators who have to finalise the rulebook for implementing the Paris Agreement.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan and Chairwoman of the German-Slovene Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK) Gertrud Rantzen, who is ending her longstanding term of office, welcomed the high level of economic relations between Slovenia and Germany.

Today's press conference to provide an update on COVID-19 was presented by the Director of the National Institute of Public Health, Milan Krek, and Maja Bratuša, who provided the latest epidemiological information regarding COVID-19.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EUR 307,000 in ERDF funding for the Call for proposals for a stronger supportive environment for social enterprises. The call is the latest in a series of projects aiming to foster dynamic and competitive entrepreneurship for green growth.

On the Day of Remembrance for the Dead, the deputy ambassador in Kyiv Blaž Masle laid a memorial wreath on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Janez Janša on the memorial to the fallen Slovenian soldiers on the Eastern Front during the First World War at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv.

Today and tomorrow, Prime Minister Janez Janša is attending the COP26 International Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. The International Climate Conference — Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP26, is taking place from 31 October to 12 November. Slovenia's and the EU’s global climate action is based on the implementation of the external dimension of the European Green Deal (2019) and the Council conclusions on Climate Diplomacy (2020).

On behalf of Prime Minister Janez Janša, the Slovenian Armed Forces Guard laid wreaths at the Monument to the Fallen in the Slovenian Independence War, the Memorial to the Slovenian Home Guard at Žale Cemetery, the grave of the father of the Slovenian State, Jože Pučnik, and the grave of the former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Andrej Bajuk, on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance of the Dead. The Slovenian Armed Forces Guard also laid a rose and lit a candle on the grave of the former Prime Minister and President of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Drnovšek.

Minister Jože Podgoršek began his two-day visit to Dubai today with a tour of the Sustainable City. He visited the EXPO 2020 world’s fair, where he was first received at the Slovenian pavilion, which greets visitors at the very entrance to the exhibition venue.

Below is the message delivered by Prime Minister Janez Janša on the occasion of today’s national holiday – Reformation Day.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša and his wife Urška Bačovnik Janša attended an event celebrating 100 years of the Skala Mountaineering Club in Slovenia, entitled "Upward like a rock, we go!" ("K višku kot skala, vodi naša pot!"), delivering a speech at a ceremony held at Hotel Lev in Ljubljana.

In his address to the Savica Symposium 2021: Slovenian-American Science Symposium, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan gave an overview of the activities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of research and science.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša attended a state ceremony marking Reformation Day, which took place at the Krško Cultural Hall. The keynote speaker at the ceremony was the Minister of Culture, Dr Vasko Simoniti.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan visited Ukraine between 27 and 29 October 2021. He participated in the international conference titled “The Odesa Debate” and held several bilateral meetings on the margins of the conference. In the debate on the vision of peace and prosperity in Ukraine, he commended the progress already made, bringing Ukraine closer to European values and norms, underlining the importance of further strengthening economic and social resilience.

From 31 October to 14 November, the 26th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) will take place in Glasgow, with the participation of delegations of States Parties to the Convention and Parties to the Paris Agreement. As the country holding the presidency of the EU Council, Slovenia and the European Commission will represent the EU in international relations, conduct negotiations with third countries and coordinate EU member states.

Victims of hate speech and hate crime must be empowered, supported and their rights effectively addressed. The internet and online platforms further increase the negative effects of hate speech, as content can instantly spread to a wide range of people. Minister Dikaučič: “What is forbidden in the real world should also be forbidden online.”

Director-General Jernej Müller hosted an informal meeting of political directors of EU member states in Ljubljana on 28 and 29 October.

Mag. Franc Vindišar, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, attended today’s press conference and presented the situation in Slovenian hospitals. He pointed out that our health system is currently facing numerous challenges.

The minister visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry today, where he was briefed by its management on its green and digital projects.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša continued his working visit to Brussels.

On Thursday, 28 October 2021, Minister Mark Boris Andrijanič delivered an opening keynote address via audio-video link at the 9th AmCham EU Transatlantic Conference, entitled "The Power of Data: Fuelling Europe's Digital Decade".

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funds for the project COVID19 – Arrangement of an intermediate care department of Murska SObota General Hospital. The project worth EUR 8.9 million will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and will receive EUR 5 million of European Regional Development Fund contribution under the React-EU initiative. This year Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has already approved EUR 71 million to help strengthen Slovenia’s healthcare system.