News

Minister Irena Šinko and Director-General of the Food and Fisheries Directorate, Ana Le Marechal Kolar, today presented the Programme for the Implementation of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for the new financial period 2021-2027 at a press conference.

Public Administration Minister Sanja Ajanović Hovnik is temporarily taking over the role of the Minister of the Interior after the stepping down of the former Minister of the Interior, Tatjana Bobnar.

The Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Matjaž Han, accompanied by Slovenian business representatives, is on a working visit to North Macedonia today and tomorrow. The minister, who met the Macedonian Minister of Economy, Kreshnik Bekteshi, called for the further strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries.

On 13 December, the Nuclear Safety Administration hosted the annual meeting with a delegation from the Croatian Directorate for Civil Protection as part of the implementation of the bilateral agreement on the Early Exchange of Information in the Event of Radiological Danger.

The "Standing with the Ukrainian People" conference in Paris, bringing together high and senior representatives of 70 states and international organisations, was held on 13 December. At the conference organised by France, Slovenia was represented by Ambassador Metka Ipavic.

On Tuesday, 13 December 2022, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tokyo organised a working honey breakfast entitled "Bee x Education". The main topic was the importance of educating beekeepers, educating the general public about bees and apitourism.

The European Commission yesterday approved Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 that Slovenia officially submitted to Brussels at the end of October.

The Minister of Economic Development Matjaž Han and the Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon signed an agreement with representatives of Slovenian organisations in neighbouring countries concerning the foundation of an Economic Coordinating Body of Slovenians in neighbouring countries.

Granny’s Sexual Life has taken the title for best short at the European Film Awards held in Reykjavik, Iceland. “The European Film Award is proof that Slovenia has the very best creative talent in film. It shows that Slovenian cinema belongs to the elite of European cinema,” said Dr Asta Vrečko, the culture minister, in her congratulations to the makers of the film.

On International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2022, Slovenia launched the Our Rights project in Japan. Ambassador Blanka Jamnišek, responsible for the project, participated in the Youth Forum organised by Soka Gakkai International, shared her experience about the project and conducted training for 40 teachers on the use of tools to teach children about their rights. Prior to the Forum, she was interviewed by the pupils and students from SGI schools for the newspaper Seikyo Shimbun.

Rating agencies S&P and DBRS Morningstar confirmed Slovenia’s credit rating yesterday. S&P confirmed the AA- rating with a stable outlook, while DBRS Morningstar confirmed the A (high) rating, again with a stable outlook. Considering that in recent months rating agencies have downgraded the outlooks for some European countries, the confirmation of the outlook and ratings for Slovenia is proof that it is a solid and trustworthy country.

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, the day that saw the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which is regarded as the foundation for all future international human rights instruments. This year's slogan is: "Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All".

Slovenia has formally filed a declaration of intervention before the International Court of Justice in The Hague relating to the Ukraine vs Russian Federation proceedings for violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Minister of the Interior Tatjana Bobnar has attended the EU Home Affairs Council in Brussels, where the key item on the agenda was the extension of the Schengen area.

Slovenia ranked ninth out of 180 countries on the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index, which is compiled by the Swiss-Korean think-tank Solability. It ranked first amongst all countries studied in terms of economic sustainability.

At today’s second meeting of the Strategic Economic Council, which was held in Lipica, members exchanged views for the first time regarding opportunities for the so-called ‘scale-up’ of innovative development companies, incentives for development jobs, the retention of highly-skilled domestic workers and the faster employment of such talent from abroad, and employee participation in profits.

The head of the government negotiating team, the Minister of Health Danijel Bešič Loredan, and the head of the trade union’s negotiating team, Irena Ilešič Čujovič, initialled an agreement on the resolution of strike demands, and on the implementation of the agreement on urgent measures in connection with wages in the health and social care sector, and on the continuation of negotiations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has earmarked an additional 100,000 euros for humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help people survive the approaching harsh winter, as the devastating effects of the war continue.

International Volunteer Day is an opportunity to place the spotlight on volunteers and their importance for the well-being of society. This year, volunteer organisations are highlighting their role in the strengthening of solidarity with the slogan ‘Together, Act Now’.

Minister of Defence Marjan Šarec attended the two-day ministerial meeting of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) Initiative in Krems, Austria.