Published below is the statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, on 1 May, the International Labour Day, and the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Head physician Dr. Mirko Černič established himself in the world of medicine as a physician, organizer, scientist, professor and a publicist. His greatest achievement, though, was the first purposely built sanatorium in Maribor, whose construction he himself planned and financed. Ninety years have passed since the opening of the sanatorium.

As of Thursday, 30 April 2020, the Government is lifting the general prohibition of movement outside the municipality of permanent or temporary residence, while on Monday, 4 May 2020, several economic activities will gradually resume, provided that the instructions of the medical profession are respected. "However, mass events will most likely remain prohibited until a COVID-19 vaccine or medicine is discovered and widely used," said Prime Minister Janez Janša.

In Slovenia, as in many countries around the world, 1st May marks the International Labour Day. This holiday is associated with the old tradition of lighting bonfires in Slovenia.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has today considered the plan to gradually ease the restrictive measures imposed as a result of the coronavirus epidemic.

At today’s session, the Government adopted a plan to gradually ease the lockdown measures introduced due to the coronavirus epidemic and lifted the prohibition of movement outside the municipality of permanent or temporary residence.

In a videoconference call, Ministers Logar and Maas confirmed excellent relations between Slovenia and Germany and their shared positions on a number of important international issues. This was Minister Logar’s introductory visit to Berlin, which took place virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Logar stressed the importance of political and economic ties with Germany, Slovenia’s most important foreign trade partner. He welcomed the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed support for the activities aimed at implementing the 2019-21 working programme.

One month after its establishment, the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), which operates under the auspices of UNESCO, is fully operational.

29 April is dedicated to dance. Did you know that a Slovenian is responsible for International Dance Day? In 1982, the ballet legend Dr Henrik Neubauer convinced the UNESCO International Theatre Institute to declare the birthday of the ballet reformer Jean-Georges Noverre (29 April 1727–19 October 1810) as International Dance Day.

Within a national campaign for the promotion of the Slovenian economy, SPIRIT Slovenia - Public Agency has selected 19 new ambassadors whose sustainable and innovative solutions will increase the visibility of Slovenia as a technologically developed and green country. The new ambassadors include Akrapovič, Pipistrel, Alpina and Elan.

Slovenia joined the initiative of the EU Member States for greening the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the outset, Minister Logar expressed solidarity and sympathy over the Covid-19 victims in the US.

The Slovenian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State called for further strengthening of friendly ties between the two allies and stressed the importance of close transatlantic partnership in dealing with the current pandemic. They addressed a number of topical international issues.

At today’s extraordinary session of the National Assembly, the deputies discussed the draft Act on Providing Additional Liquidity to the Economy to Mitigate the Consequences of the COVID-19 Epidemic, which was drafted by the Government.

Prime Minister Janez Janša has tweeted his comments about the present situation concerning the coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia, announcing that many restrictive measures for the citizens of Slovenia and the European Union will continue to be in place for the foreseeable future.

Foreign Minister Logar held a videoconference call with Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva, discussing the preparations for the 2021 presidency of the EU Council by Slovenia and Portugal. The counterparts expressed satisfaction with the excellent collaboration between the two countries during the preparations for the 18-month trio presidency.

The checkpoint Rateče (Fusine) on the border with Italy is open again as of Thursday, 23 April 2020.

The international community today marks the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. Efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the importance of transparent and effective multilateral cooperation in seeking joint responses to the crisis.

A national survey on the prevalence of COVID-19 in the general population is currently being conducted in Slovenia.

A video conference of the European Council, called by European Council President Charles Michel, was held today. The heads of state and government and leaders of EU institutions discussed the situation and measures relating to the COVID-19 epidemic. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša also participated in the video conference.

UNESCO declared 23 April to be World Book and Copyright Day.