From April 2023, citizens aged 12 and over will only need to present their new biometric ID card when visiting doctors, pharmacies, opticians and other healthcare providers and suppliers of medicines and medical devices. This means that citizens are now able to use just one document, as the photo on the identity card also removes the need for additional verification of the insured person’s identity.

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar visited Gaborone to meet with Botswana’s Foreign Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape. The visit was aimed at strengthening Slovenia's partnerships in the international community and exchanging views on challenges in the region and in the international community.

Today, the Ministry of the Interior hosted representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Care and Integration of Migrants, and NGOs, in order to develop an integration strategy.

Dr Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, met with Matjaz Gruden, Director for Democratic Participation at the Council of Europe. They discussed current issues and activities planned by the Council of Europe.

The 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council adopted two important initiatives in which Slovenia is participating. The key UN body responsible for human rights approved the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues and confirmed that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment represents a link between the environment and human rights.

On the basis of the Act on Aid to Ensure Enhanced Air Connectivity, a Public Tender for Enhanced Aviation Connectivity was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia on 04/04/2023. In accordance with Article 10 of the law, the tender documentation is publicly published, however, the English translation is merely an information aid for foreign air carriers when preparing applications for the grant of aid.

The application for aid must be submitted in Slovene language. Submission deadline is 4. 5. 2023.

The new Transnational Provision of Services Act (ZČmIS-1) was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The Ministry drew up the Act in order to comprehensively address the position of posted workers when carrying out transnational services provided by Slovenian companies and self-employed persons, economic operators, for clients in other EU member states.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Alenka Bratušek, hosted the Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesić, on a working visit. They have agreed to propose the establishment of a joint standing committee with Croatia, Austria, and Italy, in order accelerate rail transport.

At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon took part in an online “talk show” event "Media Freedom as a Cornerstone of Democracy". Held in the framework of the second Summit for Democracy, the event started yesterday and featured a video message by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.

Members of parliament have approved the bill on amendments and additions to the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act (amendment to the law).

At an EU Energy Council meeting, EU ministers discuss the reduction of gas consumption, changes in the electricity market and the green transition.

Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Uroš Brežan actively participated in the UN 2023 Water Conference, which took place in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023.

The adoption of the Scientific Research and Innovation Activities Act allows for more effective and consistent implementation of scientific research and innovation policy measures.

The University Medical Centre Maribor (UKC Maribor) hosted a presentation of a project to introduce the recycling of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 with the support of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. “In addition to innovation, the added value of this project is that it brings together the University of Maribor, the local medical centre and companies,” said Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development.

The new issue of the News from Nuclear Slovenia is published.

State Secretary Helga Dobrin attended the 3rd Danube Security Conference in Brussels. The conference focused on strengthening police cooperation in the Danube region in the areas of illegal migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings, protection of critical infrastructure and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is attending the United Nations Water Conference in New York. This is only the second time in 45 years that a conference has been devoted exclusively to water. “Slovenia has succeeded in getting 150 countries to support its proposal for the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Water. This is a great success for Slovenian diplomacy”, said Minister Fajon.

Between 14 March and 8 April, the Metro cinema, one of the most important institutions in the field of film in Vienna, is hosting a retrospective entitled SLO: MOTION, prepared by the Slovenian Cinematheque in cooperation with the Slovenian Cultural and Information Centre SKICA in Vienna, the Austrian Film Archives and the Slovenian Film Centre.

The Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration participates in the Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety and signs a bilateral agreement with the USA.

The amendment to the Fiscal Verification of Invoices Act, which is being adopted by the National Assembly today, is aimed at addressing both the control of the shadow economy and the protection of the rights of customers. In the light of protecting the environment and the green transition, we advocate e-receipts wherever possible. We emphasise that the purpose of re-introducing the fine for customers is primarily to raise awareness that the receipt must be accepted.