If we know the rights and options that we have when shopping or travelling within the EU, we can better utilise the advantages of the European single market while avoiding various problems, risks and unnecessary expenses. Even more – with our awareness, we contribute to a higher quality of goods and services offered and to limiting unfair providers on the domestic or foreign market.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs presented economic diplomacy to Slovenian craftspeople. The promotion of diplomatic support for craftspeople is part of a series of events aimed at systematically promoting the internationalisation of Slovenian companies through the network of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, particularly in the framework of the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships between Slovenian companies and research institutions (SRIP).

State Secretary Marko Štucin discussed topical European and international issues and bilateral cooperation with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, and Glenn Micallef, Head of Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta, in Valletta.

Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek handed over a modern C-type ambulance, equipped with an incubator for the transportation of new-born and premature babies, to Olena Yaroschuk, Acting Director of Maternity Hospital No. 5 in Kyiv, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine Ihor Kopach.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Content support to accelerate the global and sustainable growth of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – DevelopmentPlus Programme.

At today's meeting, the Government adopted an amendment to the Act on the Provision of Funds for Investment in Sports Infrastructure and the starting points for the preparation of the Act on Quality in Health Care. It also set the starting points for the conclusion of an agreement on mediation to resolve the strike demands of the FIDES Main Strike Committee and appointed Minister Matej Arčon as Deputy Prime Minister.

Minister Jevšek presented the report on the implementation of the European Cohesion Policy (ECP) for 2014–2020 and 2021–2027: “Slovenia concluded the 2014-2020 ECP as one of the more successful EU Member States. We have utilised all the available funds intended for people, the economy and balanced regional development. In 2023, we started implementing the 2021-2027 ECP, and have already issued decisions on support worth EUR 334 million.”

On Wednesday, 13 March 2024, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), successfully increased the 3% Notes due 10 March 2034 (ISIN SI0002104576) by EUR 500mio, bringing the total outstanding size to EUR 2bn. The success of this transaction is also underpinned by a strong final orderbook in excess of EUR 3.1bn.

The Prime Minister, Robert Golob, received representatives of the National Council of Disability Organisations of Slovenia (NSIOS). At the meeting, they discussed the solutions needed to regulate the situation of persons with disabilities in society and reviewed the work of the focus group so far in the period 2022–2023.

Minister Matjaž Han met Neale Richmond, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the Republic of Ireland, in Ljubljana. The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and topical European issues in the areas of competitiveness, the future of European industry and the EU internal market.

The Republic of Slovenia – EUR 10-year tap

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Upgrading the SOVIR system for early warning, awareness-raising and adaptation to weather-related emergencies in a changing climate.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited University Medical Centre Maribor, where he met with the management and was briefed on the organisation of work and the implementation of the measures taken by the Government to protect the public healthcare system.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today met with Enrico Letta, the President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.

Today, the Minister for Slovenians in Neighbouring Countries and Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon and the Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development Aleksander Jevšek attended the signing ceremony of the Letter of Intent to establish the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Kras-Carso, which took place at the Regional Palace in Trieste, Italy.

State Secretary Sanja Štiglic hosted the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Le Thi Thu Hang, for political consultations in Ljubljana. The fifth round of consultations coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Thu Hang also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the project Public employee training for obtaining competencies of the future.

Tokyo University of Foreign Studies' "Open Academy" Slovene language courses are still open for registration until 11 March, 2024 at 23:59.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is hosting representatives of the Israeli organisation Women Wage Peace, Manuela Rotstein and Enam Odeh, and the founder of the Palestinian organisation Women of the Sun, Reem Hajajreh. The two organisations have been nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their joint work.

Last year, almost 1,054,000 women lived in Slovenia. Their mean age was 45.4 years. 42.0% of women aged 15+ were married. 29.9% of women aged 15+ had tertiary education. In the 4th quarter of 2023, women represented 45.3% of persons in employment.