4. 10. 2017 | PR
The eighth Slovenian Development Days, organised by the igrationinistry of Foreign Affairs started today in Ljubljana. Two-day event was opened with a series of discussions on future implementation of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana.
This years’ Development Days were opened by Prof Dr Monika Kalin Golob, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Karl Erjavec, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and Sabina R. Stadler, Director General for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. Representatives from the Ministry stressed the importance of the new Resolution on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of the Republic of Slovenia, which will serve as a basis for future strategies and laws leading to enhanced and more focus development and humanitarian aid projects.
Representatives of the Centre for European Perspective participated at the presentation of the new strategic and legal frameworks for international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance delivered by Andrej Logar, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and the presentation of the OECD DAC Peer Review conclusions on Slovenian development cooperation and humanitarian assistance by Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Chair of the Development Assistance Committee at OECD. Petri Gornitzka congratulated Slovenia on successful cooperation with OECD through the Peer Review process. She stressed the importance of peer reviews for the future cooperation and direction of development aid, while the recommendations are to be used as a baseline for Slovenia’s future strategies on the topic. Petri Gornitzka presented 17 conclusions and recommendations resulting from the Peer Review. On one side she presented topics where Slovenia has showed progress, namely in reforming the institutional system, building development expertise, broadening stakeholders ownership, active advocacy, commitment to gender equality, as well as using comparative advantages. On the other side, Slovenia still has work to do in the field of defining strategic directions of approaching poverty reduction in the middle income countries, as well as working on thematic and geographical focus of its development aid; in reviewing business model to enhance impact of bilateral programme; Slovenia should consider the helpfulness of multilateral organisations in achieving strategic aims; make Framework Programme a comprehensive, whole-of-government tool; mainstreaming gender and environment across development co-operation; defining the nature of strategic partnerships with NGOs and private sector; improving transparency about international development; encouraging stakeholders to integrate evaluation and building knowledge and experience in fragile contexts.
Since the first Peer Review of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) was carried out in Slovenia at the beginning of 2017 with the aim of reviewing the implementation of the development cooperation and humanitarian assistance commitments this year’s Slovenian Development Days hosted a panel discussion, moderated by Dr Boštjan Udovič of Faculty of Social Sciences. The panellists Andrej Logar, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Marjeta Jager, DEVCO Deputy Director General at the European Commission, Lotta Karlsson, Director for Administrative and Legal Development Cooperation Matters, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Albin Keuc, Director of SLOGA Platform, addressed the opportunities and challenges of development cooperation, deriving from the recommendations of the Peer Review that provide orientations for future work, and indicates the priorities and challenges of Slovenia’s development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Special emphasis was given on the importance of cooperation between all stakeholders, development agencies, ministries, NGOs and companies.
A project titled “Global for local – local for global” was presented, where students of Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Education, under the leadership of two mentors, prof. dr. Maja Bučar and Ms Adriana Aralica, SLOGA, were enhancing young people’s awareness about sustainable development through the prism of migration and disseminating sustainable development goals together with the Agenda for sustainable development 2030. A multidisciplinary group of students prepared 10 sets of contents on the objectives of sustainable development through the prism of migration and verified them with the implementation of workshops in Ljubljana. Prepared contents are intended for teaching staff to support them in addressing sustainable development and the migration in the classroom.
A special workshop, moderated by Dr Melita Gabrič, Acting Head of the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance, was carried out on the topic of DAC Peer Review recommendations and their implementation, focusing on interministerial cooperation, improvements of the Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) and mainstreaming of the cross-cutting issues (gender equality and environment).
An insight of children and youngsters was contributed through the opening of the exhibition “Europe at School”. The exhibition presents the awarded works created for the competition ‘The World I Want to Live In’ by children and young people from elementary and secondary schools who participated in four categories: art, writing, photo and video.
The second day of the event will focus on the role of the Slovenian private sector in development cooperation, integration of Slovenian companies and investments.
3. 10. 2017 | PR
Among a series of events marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia’s participation in international operations and missions (IOM) Centre for European Perspectives today participates at the inter-ministerial conference entitled 20 Years in the Service of Peace at the Brdo Congress Centre. CEP’s project manager Ivana Boštjančič Pulko addressed the panel entitled “Slovenian Police and 20 Years of Commitment to International Security”.
The two-day inter-ministerial conference organised by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs started on 2 of October 2017. Today’s first panel entitled “Slovenian Police and 20 Years of Commitment to International Security” was opened by Vesna Györkös Žnidar, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, and continued with a discussion moderated by Mr Vladimir Pocek, Head of International Police Operations Division, Service of the Director General of the Police.
Ivana Boštjančič Pulko contributed an insight into the importance of civilian contribution to peacekeeping and conflict prevention. She emphasized that it is necessary that civilians deployed to the missions are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge before their deployment and that training should be specifically emphasized in terms of improving the effectiveness of the missions. She explicitly thanked the Slovenian Police and the Armed Forces for offering extensive support in CEP training activities, preparing the international civilians to be deployed to the civilian peacekeeping missions.
CEP has been offering various types of certified trainings in the last decade and this field is gaining its importance especially through recognising the concept of ‘duty of care’ by the seconding authorities. She furthermore underlined that various countries follow different approaches related to secondments of civilians, for example Germany seconds approximately one civilian per seven military personnel, or Finland one to five, whereas this ratio in Slovenia stands for over 20 military secondments per one civilian, those being primarily police officers in EU missions.
CEP has been also researching the effectiveness of EU missions and operations in the last years, partnering with various think tanks and universities though various projects and plans to further strengthen its analytical part related to peacekeeping and conflict prevention.
The panel was addressed by panellists Anton Pozvek, Secretary General of Sever Association, Boris Kankaraš, Head of Port Security Department at Port of Koper, Ernest Salkič, President of the Association of Peacekeepers in Peacekeeping Missions, Edo Behlič, Senior Police Inspector at the Police Directorate Ljubljana, Robert Urek, Senior Police Inspector at the International Police Operations Division and Assist. Prof. Maja Garb from Faculty of Social Sciences as well. They focused on police perspective of peacekeeping and discussed the history of Slovenian contribution to civilian missions as well as development of the national civilian peacekeeping platform and its challenges.
This year Slovenia marks 20th anniversary of its first deployment to an international peacekeeping mission. That first secondment was to the Operation ALBA in Albania in 1997, under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – the first international organisation Slovenia joined as an independent state 25 years ago.
Republic of Slovenia has in the past 20 years continuously upgraded and enhanced its participation in the efforts for international peace and security with military and civilian capabilities, and has established itself as a reliable member of the international community committed to solidarity and international peace and ready to take on an active role in joint efforts to support security and stability in different crisis areas. The Republic of Slovenia has so far deployed over 5,300 members of the Slovenian Armed Forces and civilian functional experts to a total of 25 international operations and missions under the auspices of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and other international organisations, or within bilateral relations or coalitions. As part of international stabilisation efforts, 174 members of the Police have also participated in 16 international civilian missions, and three representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have taken part in three international missions. It should be noted that a considerable proportion of these participants were deployed several times, which is why the total number of deployments to international operations and missions exceeds 13,500. About 345 members of the Slovenian Armed Forces and civilian functional experts, 12 police officers and a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are currently active under the auspices of NATO, the EU and the UN, and within other frameworks.
Access for more information about the event here: https://www.20letmom.si/en/
Check out our Photo Gallery here:
29. 9. 2017 | PR, ROSE
The basis for a new Slovenian eInvoicing standard is being set up in the framework of the “Readiness Of Slovenian E-Invoicing” (ROSE) Action and major steps are being taken towards compatibility with the newly adopted EU standard. In order to improve efficiency in eInvoicing and automatization of the eInvoice recipients recognition, an eInvoices recipients eDatabase is being set up. In the process of preparation, suggestions of providers of the ERP systems and other business solutions are being taken into account. Last week, a kick-off conference took place and attracted over 140 participants, who are involved in the process of eInvoicing in accordance with the European Directive 2014/55/EU.
Kick-off conference “Will we be ready for European standard for e-invoicing?”
The conference devoted to the introduction of the new obligations for the European public service providers in the field of eInvoicing in the European standard was prepared by the ROSE Action stakeholders at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. Over 140 participants of the conference, to a large extent represented public service providers, whether or not they are budget users, showed great interest for the topic addressed. They followed carefully to the presentation of the upcoming reforms and they greeted the suggested solutions and trainings that will be offered in the framework of ROSE Action.
Update of the Slovenian eInvoice standard
Due to various eInvoicing standards in the European Union, the EU Member States and the European Commission introduced European standard for eInvoices. The variety of standards leads to unneccessary complexitz and higher costs for the subjects. Following the EU standard for eInvoices will be now obligatory for all public service providers. They will be obliged to receive eInvoice if sent in one of the standard forms, confirmed by the European Commission. ROSE Action is rapidly setting up the solutions and specifications for the new Slovenian standard eSlog 2.0 aligned with the EU standard. At the same time, technical solutions are being developed, allowing the public service providers to translate eInvoices, sent in EU standard, to the new Slovenian standard eSlog 2.0.
eInvoices recipients eDatabase
The new EU legislation contribute to digitalization, standardization and interoperability in the provision of services that serve the citizens, economic subjects and member states. In order to digitalize and simplify the operations of all subjects involved, ROSE Action aims to set up a single eInvoices recipients eDatabase. It will increase operability on the local and national level, simplify cross-boarder communication, and make smooth circulation of the eInvoices in the EU possible.
The topics above were discussed at today’s 4th Steering Board meeting of the ROSE Action, a Connecting European Facility Action, co-financed by the European Union and implemented by the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, ZZI d.o.o., Mojdenar IT d.o.o. and Centre for European Perspective.
Access the press release in Slovenian language here.
27. 9. 2017 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
National Assembly confirmed new Resolution on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of the Republic of Slovenia, the main strategic document of the state in this field. The document defines the goals and principles of Slovenia’s development assistance, specifies geographic and substantive priorities and devotes special attention to the international humanitarian aid.
Under the title “Together for well-being and sustainable future” it specifies key stakeholders on national, regional and global level, including foundations as a group of development cooperation providers that have been established or co-established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in order to cover specific thematic areas.
Centre for European Perspectives has for more than 10 years executed development projects and activities in the Western Balkans countries, focusing on the capacity building for integration and accession to the European Union. Activities are tailored for each recipient country and aim for sustainable, fair, inclusive and secure development.
CEP successfully conducted over 100 development projects in the Western Balkans region. In 2017/2018 we are conducting the following projects:
- Empowering Kosovo and BiH’s Young Entrepreneurs
- Assistance to Montenegro on EU Accession
- Support to Albanian Local Governments on the Preparation of EU/International Projects
- Support to Macedonia in the EU Accession in Chapter 24 – Financial Investigations
- Capacity Building on Illegal Migration Information Exchange (Serbia)
- Support to the Development of Efficient Use of Resources Policies (Montenegro)
- Enhancing digital diplomacy activities in the Western Balkan and Eastern European countries
Read more about development projects.
Click here for Slovenian version.
25. 9. 2017 | Danube, PR
The EU macroregional strategies conference on Media and Communication »Know thy neighbor« that was held between 20 and 22 September 2017 in Portorož, Slovenia, addressed key issues that stakeholders are facing at their daily work. That is especially how to improve the visibility of macro-regional strategies in the public sphere and how to strengthen the media support to macro-regional endeavors. For the first time in the history of macro-regions, communication officers of all 4 macro-regions (Baltic, Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine) joined to discuss the synergies they could all benefit from and how to overcome the common obstacles in reaching out to general public.
Conference brought together over 160 representatives of media, practicians, academia, general public and interested stakeholders from the four EU macroregional strategies to discuss the topics, platforms, tools and process that would improve connectivity within the macro-regions and contribute to visibility of their work and projects. The emergence of macro-regional strategies (MRS) has been driven by a number of EU countries and regions as a complement to traditional national policies on territorial management. The aim of a macro-regional strategy is to mobilise new projects and initiatives thereby creating a sense of common responsibility.
Prominent and experiences professionals from the world of communication shared their views and opinions, suggested concrete steps for consolidation of the communication, improved communication channels and added an important view of journalists on the outputs and functioning of the macro-regions. During the workshops and joint efforts participants contributed their experiences as each macro-region has its own approach for coordination of the activities and involvement of media and wider public.
Participants by the end of the gathering agreed that a single horizontal pillar for all 4 EU macro-regional strategies is needed as it would be of help in creating sufficient visibility for macro-regional strategies’ joint endeavors and understanding, and support for the exchange of ways of thinking and acting within the MRS.
![ROSE Action conference offered new solutions for Slovenia and European Union in exchange of e-Invoices in public procurement]()
22. 9. 2017 | PR, ROSE
“Readiness Of Slovenian E-Invoicing” (ROSE), a Connecting European Facility Action, co-financed by the European Union and implemented by the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, ZZI d.o.o., Mojdenar IT d.o.o. and Centre for European Perspective, was today presented officially at the kick-off conference “Will we be ready for European standard for e-invoicing?” in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The conference provided an in-depth insight into the upcoming requirement for European public service providers to be able to receive e-Invoice when sent to them in European standard. The purpose was to clarify what is Slovenia doing to prepare and be ready to implement the Directive 2014/55/EU on eInvoicing in public procurement and to present how will public service providers be supported, especially through the activities, trainings and solutions provided by “Readiness Of Slovenian E-invoicing” (ROSE). The new EU legislation in the field of digitalization, standardization and inter-operability in public services are crucial due to their positive effect on citizens, economic subjects and EU member states, among them high quality and low cost public services, new employments, sustainable development and more interconnected, stronger Europe.
Dušan Zupančič, director of the Association of Informatics and Telecommunications at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, emphasized a long-term commitment of Slovenia to digitalization and simplification of e-commerce in his introductory remarks. The main message of mag. Aleksandra Miklavčič, director general of the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, was to point out that the success of introduction of e-commerce in Slovenia depends on cooperation between public sector, business sector and other stakeholders. In her presentation of e-commerce in state accounting, Milena Bremšak, director general at the Directorate for Public Accountancy at the Ministry of Finance, explained the development of e-commerce in state accounting and presented her views on future developments.
Tina Šinkovec of the Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia offered an insight into the duties and responsibilities according to the EU Directive on eInvoicing in public procurement, and pointed out that the directive binds the subjects listed in the Public Procurement Act. Andreja Dolničar Jeraj, programme director at Centre for European Perspective and ROSE Action coordinator, presented the activities under the ROSE Action so far and called upon the participants of the conference to get prepared to receive e-Invoices sent in European standard and to use the support and solutions offered through the ROSE Action.
Dušan Zupančič, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, clarified EN 16931 standard for e-Invoice and announced that a list of good practices in different sectors will be compiled as part of the ROSE Action. Igor Zorko, director of ZZI d.o.o., introduced the newly developed registry of e-Inovice recipients and presented an overview of useful solutions offered by ROSE Action, while dr. Rok Bojanc, ZZI d.o.o., explained how to receive e-Invoice in European standard. Jorgo Bertalanič of Public Payments Administration of the Republic of Slovenia elaborated on the key novelties and changes, among others also an upgrade of a single entry point for e-Invoices at the Public Payments Administration.
The conference brought together over 140 representatives of the enterprises that are involved in the public procurement processes.
See the photo gallery from the conference below.
