Developing and raising awareness of the core values and the most important events of contemporary Slovenian history is especially important in times of crisis. We must not forget that bold decisions, such as the adoption of the independence act in 1991 on the basis of the plebiscite of 1990, the formation of our own army, the declaration of independence on 25 June 1991, the victory in the war for Slovenia and the withdrawal of the Yugoslav national army on 25 October 1991, have preserved the existence of the Slovenian state. Such achievements cannot be taken for granted.

At the end of April 2021, Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy approved EU funding for the project Hydraulic improvements in the Municipality Sevnica – Agreement on the Development of Regions. Today, the Municipality signed the project contract with the selected contractor. At the invitation of the Mayor of Municipality Sevnica Srečko Ocvirk, State Secretary mag. Monika Kirbiš Rojs delivered an address online.

On the second day of the informal meeting of EU environment and climate change ministers in Slovenia, discussions addressed the new proposal of global targets for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The ministers also discussed the challenges of jointly strengthening pollinator protection and setting up an EU-wide pollinator monitoring framework.

Minister Dikaučič said that the existing rules cannot provide answers to all the challenges brought by artificial intelligence, which is why it is necessary to take further steps in the creation of a legal framework. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia hosted a virtual event focusing on the effective protection of fundamental rights regarding artificial intelligence in Europe and beyond.

Slovenia hosted an informal meeting of environment and climate change ministers. For the first time, they exchanged views on the vital legislative package "Fit for 55", which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. In the afternoon, the ministers exchanged views on the COP26 International Climate Change Conference to be held in Glasgow in November.

The European Commission today published its second annual Rule of Law Report within the European Rule of Law Mechanism set up in 2020. The report aims to elevate the understanding of the founding values and promote the rule of law culture, thereby strengthening this principle in the European Union as a whole.

The Ministry of Infrastructure issued an energy permit for the JEK2 project, based on the adoption of Slovenia's Long-Term Climate Strategy and the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NEPN), which clears the way for the implementation of administrative procedures and preparation of documentation for investment decision-making on JEK2 (the second nuclear reactor unit in Krško), providing a necessary basis for the final decision on the optimal energy scenario for the future supply of low-carbon Slovenia.

The Communication Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia (UKOM) has sent the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) the final version of the public service contract.

Today's press conference on the current situation regarding COVID 19 was attended by the Minister of Health, Janez Poklukar and the Director of the National Institute of Public Health, Milan Krek.

The epidemiological picture is worsening across Europe and Slovenia. The government is gradually taking measures to help contain infections.

Slovenia hosted an informal meeting of environment and climate change ministers.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar attended a follow-up meeting of foreign affairs ministers of the Central 5 (C5) countries, i.e. Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Expansion of the Ormož business-economic zone. The EUR 2.22 million project will be implemented by Municipality Ormož under the Agreement on the development of the Podravje region and supported by the EU, with the contribution from the European Regional Development Fund standing at EUR 1.48 million.

At the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, headed by Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek, ministers discussed items on the agriculture agenda. They unanimously adopted the Council conclusions on the action plan for the development of organic agriculture, which stress the awareness of member states of the importance of organic farming in ensuring the sustainability of future European agriculture and food production. As regards the "End the Cage Age" European Citizens’ Initiative, the Council supported activities aimed at promoting animal welfare.

On 19 July 2021, Minister of Education, Science and Sport Dr Simona Kustec hosted a full-day informal meeting of ministers responsible for research at Brdo pri Kranju.

Today, the Executive Board agreed to allocate more seats in the Conference Plenary to regional and local elected representatives, as well as to social partners.

Minister of Defence Mag. Today, Matej Tonin addressed Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union. The event was organised within the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the Minister addressed the topic of cyber security and the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Lucija agglomeration – Agreement on the Development of Regions. The EUR 2.36 million wastewater infrastructure project that Municipality Piran will implement under the Agreement on the Development of the Obalno-kraška Region will be supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to almost EUR 843 thousand.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Wastewater collection and treatment in the Municipality Sevnica – Agreement on the Development of Regions. The EUR 967 thousand wastewater infrastructure project which Municipality Sevnica will implement under the Agreement on the Development of the Posavje Region will be supported by the EU, with the contribution from the Cohesion Fund amounting to almost EUR 466 thousand.

Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended a virtual Conference of Presidents of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union. The meeting was organised by the National Assembly Committee on EU Affairs and the National Council Commission for International Relations and European Affairs, as part of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency.