On Wednesday, 23rd June 2021, the Republic of Slovenia successfully entered the markets with its debut Sustainability Bond – a 10-year (July-31) benchmark issuance of EUR 1bn. This landmark transaction makes the Republic of Slovenia the first Sovereign in the CEE and second in the European Union to issue a Sustainability Bond. The success of the transaction, with more than EUR 8.4bn of demand, is a strong testimony of the confidence institutional investors have in the Republic of Slovenia, and particularly in its role in financing environmental and social transition.

Andrej Šter, Head of the Consular Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tomaž Pečjak, Deputy Director General of the Police, took part in today's press conference.

State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs today attended the 2nd regular meeting of the development council of cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija in Zagorje ob Savi. Ms Kirbiš Rojs spoke about the progress made in implementing cohesion policy in the current period, the developments concerning the national Recovery and Resilience Plan and the progress made so far in preparing the 2021-2027 documents.

In accordance with Council Recommendation 2020/912 on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU and the possible lifting of this restriction, including amendments thereto, the Republic of Slovenia allows entry into the Republic of Slovenia as of 14 June 2021 for non-essential travel as well. The information has been updated according to entry conditions applicable as of 19 June 2021.

Today, State Secretary Stanislav Raščan took part in the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Member States. The meeting was held in a virtual format under the Montenegrin chairmanship and was marked by the strong interest the Executive Board has shown in seeking solutions to overcome the crisis in the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project ''Upgrade of the water supply system B. The EUR 36 million environmental infrastructure project will be implemented by Municipality Rogašovci as the project promoter together with municipalities Beltinci, Cankova, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Hodoš, Kuzma, Moravske Toplice, Murska Sobota, Puconci, Šalovci and Tišina under the Agreement on the development of the Pomurje region. The project will receive a contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to nearly EUR 22 million.

As part of the ministerial meeting of the Informal Network of Public Administrations of the EU Member States (EUPAN) in Lisbon, today, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik met with Alexandra Leitão, Portuguese Minister for the Modernisation of the State Administration. They talked about the EU Leadership Exchange Programme. Minister Koritnik also presented the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Upper Sava River basin – Municipality Gorje. The EUR 1 million project will be implemented by Municipality Gorje under the Agreement on the development of the Gorenjska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund totalling EUR 320,000.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Road and cycling infrastructure in Grosuplje. The EUR 8.8 million project will be implemented by Municipality Grosuplje under the Agreement on the development of the Osrednjeslovenska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at EUR 1.4 million.

Following the General Affairs Council meeting, State Secretary Gašper Dovžan also took part in the Intergovernmental Conferences at the ministerial level on the accession of Montenegro and Serbia to the EU. The Conferences confirmed the political guidelines on the continuation of the enlargement negotiations for these two candidate countries.

Prime Minister Janez Janša today attended the official celebrations to mark the municipal holiday of Grosuplje and the Statehood Day, at which he was also the main speaker. In his address, the Prime Minister spoke about the events of 30 years ago, the road travelled and the situation today, which – despite some missed opportunities – should fill us with joy. The event took place at Kucelj, the highest peak of the Municipality of Grosuplje.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar visited Munich today, where he met with Bavarian Minister for European and International Affairs Melanie Huml. They discussed the activities for enhancing political and economic relations between Slovenia and Bavaria in the light of the upcoming Slovenian EU Council Presidency.

Members of the General Affairs Council discussed the preparations for the June European Council, EU enlargement, and the stabilisation and association process, and took note of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Under “any other business”, they held a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union.

Interior Minister Aleš Hojs attended the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting in Lisbon today. At the meeting, he presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the field of justice and home affairs.

Republic of Slovenia - Debut Sustainability 10-year EUR 1bn (no-grow) Bond Offering

Minister Zvone Černač attended the opening ceremony of the Youth Community Housing Gerbičeva in Ljubljana at the invitation of the Housing Fund of the Republic of Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Drava River basin – Municipality Duplek. The EUR 2.5 million wastewater infrastructure project, which Municipality Duplek will implement under the Agreement on the Development of the Podravje Region, will receive EUR 1.1 million of Cohesion Fund support.

Today, Minister of Public Administration Boštjan Koritnik attended the meeting of Ministers of the Informal Network of Public Administrations of the EU Member States (EUPAN) in Lisbon. He appeared as a keynote speaker on the panel discussing skills, leadership and mobility in public administration.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan held a videoconference call with Colm Brophy, the Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. The pair discussed development cooperation, including the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, now just a matter of days away.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in Ljubljanica River basin – Municipality Brezovica – Agreement on the development of region. The nearly EUR 11 million environmental infrastructure project will be implemented by Municipality Brezovica under the Agreement on the development of the Osrednjeslovenska region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to EUR 3.7 million.