eLastovka za varnejša potovanja v tujino

V novi epizodi vladnega GOVSI podkasta je gostoval Viktor Mlakar, vodja konzularnega sektorja na Ministrstvu za zunanje in evropske zadeve. Z voditeljico Petro Prešeren Golob sta govorila o konzularni pomoči slovenskim državljankam in državljanom v tujini, ravnanju v kriznih razmerah ter aplikaciji eLastovka.Poletje je čas dopustov in potovanj, zato je pomembno, da se na pot v tujino dobro pripravimo. Večina poti mine brez zapletov, kadar pa se v tujini znajdemo v težavah, so ključne hitre, zanesljive in preverjene informacije.Viktor Mlakar je pojasnil, da konzularna pomoč pomeni pomoč slovenskim državljanom v tujini, kadar se znajdejo v težavah. Najpogosteje gre za izgubo ali krajo osebnih dokumentov, nesreče, hospitalizacije, pripore ali zapore, pa tudi za upravno-pravne zadeve, povezane z življenjem v tujini, kot so rojstvo otroka, prijava državljanstva ali izdaja dokumentov.Ob tem je poudaril, da konzularna pomoč ne pomeni, da država lahko plača hotelsko nastanitev, letalsko karto, zdravljenje ali odvetnika. Zato je pred potovanjem zelo pomembno skleniti ustrezno potovalno zdravstveno zavarovanje ter preveriti veljavnost dokumentov, vstopne pogoje, morebitne vizumske obveznosti in varnostne razmere v državi, kamor potujemo.Poseben poudarek pogovora je bil namenjen aplikaciji eLastovka. Namenjena je vsem, ki potujejo v tujino – turistom, študentom, poslovnim potnikom in tistim, ki v tujini bivajo začasno. Uporabnikom omogoča dostop do informacij o varnostnih razmerah v posameznih državah, kontaktov slovenskih veleposlaništev in konzulatov ter nujnih telefonskih številk v državi potovanja.Registrirani uporabniki lahko v aplikaciji prijavijo tudi svoje potovanje. Če se na območju, kjer se nahajajo, zgodi krizni dogodek, jih lahko ministrstvo obvesti prek SMS-sporočila, potisnega sporočila ali elektronske pošte. Prijava potovanja je prostovoljna, podatki pa se uporabljajo samo v primeru izrednih razmer in se po koncu potovanja samodejno izbrišejo.Aplikacijo je mogoče uporabljati tudi brez registracije, vendar v tem primeru uporabnik ne more prijaviti potovanja. Še vedno pa ima dostop do informacij o državah, potovalnih priporočil in kontaktov pristojnih predstavništev.Mlakar je popotnikom svetoval, naj pred odhodom preverijo vse potrebne informacije, sklenejo ustrezno zavarovanje in razmislijo o registraciji poti v eLastovki.Vabljeni, da prisluhnite pogovoru. GOVSI podkast lahko spremljate tudi na vseh aplikacijah za podkaste in na vladnem kanalu YouTube.[ENGLISH VERSION]eLastovka for safer travel abroadThe latest episode of the government GOVSI podcast  features Viktor Mlakar, Head of the Consular Sector at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. In conversation with host Petra Prešeren Golob, he discussed consular assistance for Slovenian citizens abroad, how to act in crisis situations, and the eLastovka application.Summer is a time for holidays and travel, which is why it is important to prepare well before travelling abroad. Most trips pass without complications, but when difficulties arise abroad, fast, reliable and verified information is essential.Viktor Mlakar explained that consular assistance means helping Slovenian citizens abroad when they find themselves in difficulty. The most common cases include lost or stolen personal documents, accidents, hospitalisations, detentions or imprisonment, as well as administrative and legal matters connected with living abroad, such as the birth of a child, registration of citizenship or the issuing of documents.He emphasised that consular assistance does not mean that the state can pay for hotel accommodation, airline tickets, medical treatment or a lawyer. It is therefore very important to take out appropriate travel health insurance before travelling, and to check the validity of documents, entry requirements, possible visa obligations and the security situation in the country of destination.A special focus of the conversation was the eLastovka application. It is intended for everyone travelling abroad – tourists, students, business travellers and those staying abroad temporarily. The application provides access to information on the security situation in individual countries, contact details of Slovenian embassies and consulates, and emergency telephone numbers in the country of travel.Registered users can also register their trip in the application. If a crisis occurs in the area where they are staying, the ministry can notify them by SMS, push notification or email. Trip registration is voluntary, and the data is used only in the event of an emergency and is automatically deleted after the trip ends.The application can also be used without registration, but in that case users cannot register their trip. They still have access to country information, travel advice and contact details of the relevant representative offices.Mlakar advised travellers to check all necessary information before departure, take out appropriate insurance and consider registering their trip in eLastovka.The government podcast GOVSI is available on all podcast platforms and on the Government YouTube channel.