Independence and Unity Day, which we will celebrate on Tuesday, marks the announcement of the results of the plebiscite, in which 88.5% of all eligible voters decided in favour of an independent Slovenia 33 years ago.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, hosted today a holiday reception for the relatives of the fallen soldiers of the Slovenian War of Independence, the defence and security structures of the Republic of Slovenia and representatives of veterans' organisations.

The political deal on migration and asylum that was reached after several years of negotiations marks an important step in the formulation of European Union's (EU) migration and asylum policy. It also sends a strong signal on EU's capacity to agree on a common solution in an area as complex as migration management.

The Government has defined the legal bases allowing the payment of suitable compensation to insurance companies, adopted the proposed new amendments to the Road Transport Act and the proposed new amendments to the Spatial Planning Act, and concluded a contract with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The Government of Slovenia signaled its intention to accede to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Announced during the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-convened Global Refugee Forum previous week in Geneva, the accession reconfirms Slovenia’s commitment to human rights and solidarity, including the right to nationality.

A ceremony marking the arrival of the first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft was held today at the Cerklje ob Krki airfield.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project On-the-job training.

On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day. The aim of the initiative is to further raise awareness among the international public regarding the importance of bee preservation and to remind everyone that we heavily depend on bees and other pollinators. They are invaluable in economic, social and environmental terms.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the strategic project Centre for Demonstration and Training in Zero Carbon Technologies. ''This project is identified in the Territorial Just Transition Plan for the Zasavje coal region as one of the flagship projects of the Just Transition Fund with the objective of investing in growth and jobs,'' said Minister Jevšek.

The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024.

At today's 27th annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats, Prime Minister Robert Golob addressed the heads of diplomatic and consular missions.

The traditional Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats in Brdo pri Kranju is taking place against the background of Slovenia's preparations for membership of the United Nations Security Council. The diplomats discussed current foreign policy issues, focusing on support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The participants in the event, chaired by Minister Tanja Fajon, were addressed by the country's highest representatives.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Raising awareness, communicating with different audiences, and encouraging greater involvement in lifelong learning.

The temporary border controls on Slovenia’s internal borders with Croatia and Hungary will continue for another six months, from 22 December 2023 until 22 June 2024. The internal border checks are being extended under Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals to support the activities of Knowledge Transfer Offices.

In assuming the Presidency of the Barcelona Convention, Slovenia has also succeeded in implementing an initiative for interregional integration of monitoring of the major ecosystems of the Danube, Black Sea and Mediterranean, with the aim of reducing negative effects on the world's most international river basin. The work programmes for individual sites were already agreed on the margins of the Barcelona Convention in Portorož, and the cooperation was formally confirmed at the meeting of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in Vienna last week.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon opened the 27th Consultation of Slovenian Diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju. In her address, she presented some reflections on the year that is coming to an end and spoke about the challenges ahead. She went on to express her sincere appreciation to the Slovenian diplomatic corps for its contribution to the strengthening of the Slovenian diplomatic service and Slovenia's role in the changed geopolitical reality.

A press conference on the funding opportunities and the use of the funding made available under the Just Transition Fund was held in Velenje today. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a novelty of the 2021-2027 programming period. Two Slovenian coal regions are eligible for funding under this instrument, i.e., Savinjsko-Šaleška region and Zasavje region. The JTF aims to support the restructuring and diversification of the local economy to alleviate the impact of the regions’ coal phase-out as part of the transition towards climate neutrality.

December is a time of gift-giving, coming together, enjoying good company and reviving old traditions.

Four Syrian families and one individual have arrived in Slovenia from Türkiye, having been selected and accepted as part of the resettlement project. Resettlement is a way of providing legal routes to Europe for people in need of protection.