News

14 Oct 2021, 12:18 PM

Pakistani Migrant Smugglers Will Be Jailed, Expelled from Slovenia

STA, 14 October 2021 - Three Pakistani citizens were sentenced on Wednesday to prison for organising illegal transportation of foreigners across Slovenia as part of a criminal ring, and will also be expelled from the country for several years, the newspaper Dnevnik reported on Thursday. The trio had asked for international protection in Slovenia.

The prosecution held that 12 members of the ring organised and transported, or cooperated in, unlawful transportation of foreigners from the Croatian to Italian border, or from the Ljubljana Asylum Centre to Italy, in June 2019 and in June-to-October 2020. Among them were four Ljubljana taxi drivers, and three security guards from the asylum centre.

Judge Ana Klampfer Binder said when handing down the sentences at the Ljubljana District Court the Pakistanis, who had pleaded guilty, had abused asylum to commit crime.

They received sentences ranging from three years and a month to four years and four months, depending on the type of crime, the number of foreigners they helped cross the border, and the role they played in the ring.

The minimum prison sentence for such criminal acts is three years in prison and a fine. The three will thus also have to pay fines ranging from EUR 1,000 to EUR 5,000.

Dnevnik said that the three defendants have no assets, and in such cases the fine is transformed into additional days in prison.

As for the other members of the ring, Dnevnik said that several had also pleaded guilty.

The Prosecutor's Office told the STA that two sentences had been handed down in recent weeks, with one security guard receiving a year in prison and a EUR 700 fine.

The security guard, who will serve the sentence by doing 730 hours of community work, had left the door of the secured section of the asylum centre unlocked in order to obtain personal gain.

He had thus enabled five foreigners to leave before they would be fingerprinted and entered into the Eurodac, the EU's asylum fingerprint database, so that they could proceed towards their target EU country.

Four suspects refused to plead guilty at a pre-trial hearing and will go to trial, and one suspect has not been served the indictment yet because his whereabouts are unknown.

Prison sentences for smuggling foreigners for gain or acting within a ring increased in 2020 under the new legislation - from 1-8 years to 3-15 years.

14 Oct 2021, 11:29 AM

Slovenia’s Interior Ministry to Get Highest Ever Budget in 2022, More Police Spending

STA, 13 October 2021 - In line with the budget documents for 2022 and 2023, the budget of the Interior Ministry will reach EUR 553.75 million in 2022, which Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said in parliament today was a record high budget since the founding of the ministry. In 2023, the ministry is to receive EUR 542.2 million.

Hojs told the parliamentary Home Affairs, Public Administration and Local Government Committee that some major projects would be completed in 2022, so the spending would be a bit lower the year after.

This year's budget needed to be raised also due to higher wages of police officers and other employees during the Covid-19 epidemic. "In 2022 and 2023 the increase reflects the share of personal income that will increase in line with an agreement we have reached with both police trade unions," he said, adding that the condition for the rise was the adoption of the organisation and work of the police act, which was still under way.

Among the planned investments, the minister highlighted police equipment, new police vehicles, a purchase of a transport helicopter and two observation helicopters, and two vessels.

In line with the budget documents, the Public Administration Ministry will have EUR 172.7 million at its disposal in 2022 and EUR 191.7 million in 2023.

Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik said 51 people would be hired at administrative units across the country to help service citizens and that the funds would also be used for the construction of broadband networks of the next generation.

Digital Transformation Minister Mark Boris Andrijanič said EUR 22.38 million would be allocated for digital transformation in 2022 and EUR 35.97 in 2023.

The funded projects will focus on improving digital skills among vulnerable groups, support to the young in obtaining digital skills, and the setting up of Slovenia's development and economic representation office in the Silicon Valley, US.

Boštjan Koražija from the opposition Left welcomed the increase in funding for police protective equipment and better working conditions but expressed hope the money will not be used for "police repression".

He believes not one multi-purpose helicopter but at least three would be needed, for which the government would need to secure funding in the 2022, 2023 budgets.

Hojs later explained that in line with an agreement with the defence and health ministries, a decision had been made for the army to conduct emergency medical assistance, while the police would provide it "secondary assistance".

Andrej Rajh from the opposition Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) said the government was financially exhausting the state while on power while others would need to clean up the mess. He pointed to what he thinks is a big public debt.

Andrej Černigoj from the junior coalition New Slovenia (NSi) said Rajh was being populistic, as Slovenia's public debt was still well below the EU average.

Bojana Muršič from the Social Democrats (SD) said it was irresponsible to discuss the 2023 budget as a new government would be in power then.

14 Oct 2021, 04:40 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 14 October 2021

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

EU parliament fact-finding mission starts visit

LJUBLJANA - A fact-finding mission of the European Parliament started its visit to Slovenia with the head of the delegation, Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld (Renew), saying their goal was to gather facts not bring down the government. The head of the DRFMG monitoring group for democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights said the idea was to meet as many representatives of various spectres of society and institutions to get as wide as possible insight into developments in the country. She hopes they can meet Prime Minister Janez Janša sometime until Friday although a meeting has not been scheduled.

Janša for more inclusion of local and regional communities

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša outlined the priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency to the European Committee of the Regions, highlighting post-Covid recovery, green transition and the EU's strategic autonomy, while also touching on subsidiarity. He argued for a greater degree of inclusion of local and regional communities and called for respecting subsidiarity and the fact that EU countries are representative democracies as a way to bring the EU closer to citizens.

Parliamentary inquiry told about pressure and reassignments in police force

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary inquiry into alleged political interference in the police force conducted first interviews, hearing from the former leadership of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) about pressures during supervisions over the work of the NBI, as well as abut dismissals and reassignments under the current government. The session also dealt with the police search at the home of Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek in the summer of 2020 and whether he might have been forewarned.

One candidate for Constitutional Court potentially electable

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor indicated that one of the four candidates for Constitutional Court judge may have a chance to be appointed by the National Assembly, but he plans to undertake "additional inquiries" after completing a round of consultations with all deputy groups. "There are indications of sufficient support" for Rok Svetlič, an associate professor on philosophy of law who teaches at two private Slovenian law schools, the Alma Mater Europaea and the European Law School, Pahor's office said.

350 to lose jobs as Revoz scales down production

NOVO MESTO - Revoz, the Slovenian subsidiary of Renault, announced it would scale down production over the uncertain situation in the car industry, switching from two to one and a half shifts in mid-November. As a result around 350 of the company's more than 2,400 workers will lose their jobs. A daily output of 650 cars will be reduced to 480. The company is "committed" to helping the displaced workers find new jobs together with the Employment Service and partner agencies, pointing to great demand in the labour market.

Tensions run high but weekly protest passes off peacefully

LJUBLJANA - Tensions were running high in Ljubljana as opponents of Covid-19 restrictions took to the stress for the fifth consecutive week, disrupting traffic in the town centre for several hours. A water cannon was at the ready as the police sought to disperse the crowd, but was not used. Unlike the week before the protest passed off peacefully, although police apprehended several protesters and used tear gas against individuals.

Slovenia records 1,227 new coronavirus cases in renewed uptick

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 1,227 new cases of coronavirus for Tuesday, the second day in a row that the case count increased on a weekly level. Almost 22% of all PCR tests came back positive. Another five Covid-19 patients died. Hospitalisations decreased to 420 as ICU cases were up by six to 122, according to government data. The National Institute of Public Health estimates there are currently some 11,500 active cases in the country. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents dropped by ten to 539.

Ruling in STA debt enforcement claim expected by early December

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana District Court said that it would hand down a ruling in a debt enforcement case brought by the STA against the Government Communication Office (UKOM) at the end of November or early December. Judge Jelka Rozman said this was a purely legal issue that did not require testimony by witnesses, hence rejecting a proposal by the State Solicitor General to hear as a witness UKOM director Uroš Urbanija. Outgoing STA director Bojan Veselinovič said the matter could end up at the Higher Court, which makes it impossible to say how long it might take for any decision to become final.

Foreign Policy Committee goes through 2022-2023 budgets

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Policy Committee discussed the draft budgets for the Foreign Ministry for 2022 and 2023, which stand at EUR 131.96 million and EUR 109.15 million, respectively, down from EUR 148.93 million for this year. FM Anže Logar announced some of the funds in 2022 would be invested in improving the security of communication systems between diplomatic and consular offices. He also announced that Slovenia intended to open a new diplomatic and consular representation office, with the location yet to be selected.

Vrtovec discusses sustainable air transport post-pandemic

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec is attending in Brussels a conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation on sustainable air transport post-Covid pandemic. He is discussing pandemic-related challenges with the aim of ensuring greater commitment of the contracting states to post-pandemic recovery. While air transport in Europe is not far from pre-pandemic level, recovery of inter-continental travel is expected to take longer, which is why a lot of effort will need to be invested at ICAO level to revive global air travel, he said.

DeSUS MPs are not planning to change course

LJUBLJANA - After the council of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) adopted a resolution yesterday denying the government any further support, the party's MPs said they were planning to continue with the same course of action as so far where they agree what their vote will be on each legislative proposal on a case-by-case basis. Speaking to reporters, both MP Branko Simonovič and Ivan Hršak said they would continue to support proposals that they thought were good for the party and its voters.

Top innovators honoured

LJUBLJANA - Products developed by nine Slovenian companies, including foldable skis, a special steel, and cutting-edge valves, were honoured as top innovations as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) honoured the country's best innovators on Tuesday evening. The Occupational Activity Centre Zasavje won a special commendation for a project called Building an Inclusive, Innovative and Connected Zasavje, which was also the innovation of the year as selected by the public. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said the innovators were the flag-bearers in the transition from the "commercialisation of brawn to commercialisation of brain".

Tourism to shift focus from numbers to quality

POSTOJNA - Tourism is in for a challenging period of recovery and transformation after the pandemic, agreed participants of Days of Slovenian Tourism in Postojna. "If we merely wanted to return to pre-pandemic times, we would have missed a valuable lesson. Now is the time for improvement and upgrades," said Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek. The event called for new indicators of success, focusing on the satisfaction of tourists and local population. Climate expert Lučka kajfež Bogataj urged applying indicators of green tourism such as the use of energy per night and the carbon footprint of visitors.

European audiovisual and media content discussed in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - A two-day international conference held as part of the Slovenian EU presidency in Ljubljana discussed the accessibility and competitiveness of European audiovisual and media content. Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti said only a strong European audiovisual sector could be competitive on the global market. Giuseppe Abbamonte, who is in charge of media policy at the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the Commission, said the Commission was monitoring the trends in audiovisual and media industries to make sure that European contents were not excluded.

Indigo Festival brings Varoufakis-Žižek talk, Mouse on Mars concert

LJUBLJANA - The 6th Indigo Festival, running at Cukrarna in Ljubljana until Friday, brings a series of events to offer a reflection on some of the most pressing issues of today's world under the slogan Mass Hypnosis. A talk between Slovenian philosopher of world renown Slavoj Žižek and Greek economist and left-wing movement DiEM leader Yanis Varoufakis is scheduled for 21 October. The organisers say the talk will be "far from a polite exchange of opinions by two like-minded colleagues".

Photo portraits by Nadar on show at National Gallery

LJUBLJANA - Masterpieces of Portraiture, an exhibition showcasing 41 portraits by the French 19th century photographer known as Nadar, opened at the National Gallery. Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, known from his 20s as Nadar, is credited with having significantly contributed to the development of photography as art. Some of his subjects include the writers Victor Hugo, George Sand, Charles Baudelaire, Emile Zola and Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev, and the painters Eugene Delacroix, Gustave Courbet and Edouard Manet.

13 Oct 2021, 21:27 PM

Another Anti-COVID Measures Protest in Ljubljana (Video)

STA, 13 October 2021 - Tensions were running high in Ljubljana as opponents of Covid-19 restrictions took to the stress for the fifth consecutive week, disrupting traffic. A police water cannon was at the ready as the police were trying to disperse the crowd blocking a major crossroads in the centre of Ljubljana.

Like the week before, the protesters gathered in the large square in front of the parliament building before heading on to proceed through the surrounding streets, carrying banners, whistling and chanting slogans against the Covid pass mandate and repression.

Prihajajo nove policijske okrepitve, dogajanje na terenu še naprej spremlja naša ekipa z @MihaOresnik in @MarkoRabuza.
Več na ?https://t.co/g6MJPheBDy pic.twitter.com/320Zo9pxQo
— N1 Slovenija (@n1slovenija) October 13, 2021

Na začetku Tržaške se napetost stopnjuje. Policija znova opozarja, da je shod razpuščen, odmevajo glasni žvižgi, razlega se zvok piščalk, ragelj in trobelj. #protest @24ur_com pic.twitter.com/Y7iw1HjXM3
— Tina Hacler (@TinaHacler) October 13, 2021

Unlike the week before, when the police repeatedly fired tear gas and water cannon against the demonstrators in a bid to disperse them as Slovenia hosted an EU summit, this time around the protest has largely unfolded peacefully, although the situation has been tense.

After their way was blocked by the police, the protesters became stranded at the crossroads at the innermost Ljubljana ring, in the vicinity of Hotel Lev. They failed to obey orders to disperse but riot police eventually got them to move back into the town centre and Republic Square where the protest started.

Sprehod skozi center Ljubljane. Ob tem vzklikajo “Vsi na ulice!” in pa “Ulice so naše!”. Naprej po nabrežju Ljubljanice, kjer so ljudje tudi na večernih pijačah. pic.twitter.com/93IuOSQw8E
— Neža Pušnik (@NezaPusnik) October 13, 2021

Po Čopovi na Slovensko. “Prijel” se je slogan “Vsi na ulice”. pic.twitter.com/hgUqJAYXZc
— Neža Pušnik (@NezaPusnik) October 13, 2021

There has been heavy police presence, including mounted police, and a helicopter has been circling above the city centre. Police have had the water cannot at the ready at several locations, but have not used it, while they have used tear gas against individual protesters, media reports say.

POP TV has reported that the police have apprehended several protesters who have carried granite pavement stones.

Commenting on the developments at a session of a parliamentary committee, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs described protesters' actions today as a "blatant violation of public peace and order". He said the police would "remove them one by one from the public spaces" if need be.

Zoran Stevanović, the informal leader of protesters, has been spotted at the protest. In a statement for some media today, he blamed mainly police for the riots a week ago. But he called for peaceful protest as have the police.

Two weeks ago, the protesters blocked traffic in Celovška, the capital city's main throughfare, and the Ljubljana motorway ring road. The police used tear gas and water cannon on that occasion as well.

13 Oct 2021, 14:00 PM

“Mass Hypnosis: Indigo Festival Opens Today in Ljubljana, Ends Next Week with Varoufakis-Žižek Talk

STA, 13 October 2021 - The 6th Indigo Festival, starting at Cukrarna in Ljubljana today and running until Friday, brings a series of events to offer a reflection on some of the most pressing issues of today's world under the slogan Mass Hypnosis. A talk between contemporary thinkers Slavoj Žižek and Yanis Varoufakis is scheduled for next week.

Slovenian philosopher of world renown Žižek and Greek economist and left-wing movement DiEM leader Varoufakis will discuss "the issues faced by today's Left" on Thursday, 21 October.

The festival's organisers have announced that the talk with Varoufakis moderated by Žižek will be "far from a polite exchange of opinions by two like-minded colleagues".

While the tickets for the talk have already sold out, it is still possible to buy them to watch the live stream.

Cukrarna says the pandemic has shaken up the world and changed it completely, while the world's antagonisms and problems have remained with their destructive power having increased.

"Neoliberal constructs, populisms and ideologies that we thought had disappeared are on the rise. Climate change determines our daily lives. Lies and untruths have conquered the digital media. In short, an accumulation of 'unbalanced' events and people is changing the world we were used to."

The organisers say that without realising it, the world has slipped into a "mass hypnosis of a state of numbness", which is the reason why the festival will try to uncover "the causal connections that have led to this state".

The festival brings several talks, including with Slovenian artist Marjetica Potrč, Cukrarna artistic director Alenka Gregorič, and talks with and concerts by Mouse on Mars, Stephen O'Malley and Kali Malone, among others. An art book fair Caffeine Hours 2021 will bring together designers, illustrators, photographers and publishers.

A Friday highlight will be a talk accompanying the Slovenian translation of Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism: Is There no Alternative featuring philosophers Mladen Dolar, Nina Power and Gregor Moder.

Learn more at the Indigo Festival website

13 Oct 2021, 10:36 AM

Chamber of Commerce Honours Nine Slovenian Innovators

STA, 13 October 2021 - Products developed by nine Slovenian companies, including foldable skis, a special steel, and cutting-edge valves, have been declared top innovations as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) honoured the country's best innovators.

Castoola won the award for a platform for targeted TV advertising, sports equipment maker Elan for Voyager foldable skis, and the winery Radgonske Gorice for the first sparkling wine produced and drank in the dark.

? Zlato priznanje tudi podjetju @RadgonskeGorice d.o.o. za inovacijo Untouched by Light – prvo peneče vino na svetu, ki se proizvaja in okuša v temi. #inovacije2021 #gzsinovacije pic.twitter.com/w6Xm1lffsL
— Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (@GZSnovice) October 12, 2021

A novel regulation valve brought the honours to valve producer Danfoss Trata, electric motor maker Domel developed and commercialised a new type of motor, and industrial conglomerate Hidria devised a new type of electronic ventilator.

Electronics maker Red Pitaya received the award for a new type of device for data capture and processing, cleaning technology developer Iskra Pio for a decontamination system, and steelworks Metal Ravne for a new type of steel with better electrical conductivity.

? Za inovacijo Naprava za zajem in obdelavo podatkov SIGNALlab 250-12 zlato priznanje prejme Red Pitaya d.d. #inovacije2021 #gzsinovacije pic.twitter.com/zgHk1sDGL0
— Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (@GZSnovice) October 12, 2021

? #Iskra PIO d.o.o. prejme zlato priznanje za inovacijo PIO Flash® dekontaminacijski sistem. #inovacije2021 #gzsinovacije pic.twitter.com/ftAeG4E0Q6
— Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (@GZSnovice) October 12, 2021

The Occupational Activity Centre Zasavje won a special commendation for a project called Building an Inclusive, Innovative and Connected Zasavje, which was also the innovation of the year as selected by the public.

Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek told the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening that the innovators were the flag-bearers in the transition from the "commercialisation of brawn to commercialisation of brain".

"The only way to achieve a successful transition to a more advanced economy is to fly on the wings of innovation. This is a key factor of corporate success," according to Počivalšek.

13 Oct 2021, 10:33 AM

Economist Sees a Relatively Good 2022 for Slovenia

STA, 12 October 2021 - Economist Velimir Bole told the Portorož Business Conference on Tuesday that the economic outlook for 2022 was relatively favourable, as the external factors were expected to calm down, including the growth in prices of raw materials. He nevertheless noted that events that trigger uncertainty could happen any time.

Short-term price expectations are very high, including in industry, construction sector and services, and only in commerce they are at ordinary levels, Bole told the first day of the two-day conference hosted by the publisher Finance.

The scientific advisor at the Economic Institute of the Ljubljana Faculty of Law added that short-term expectations regarding production activity and employment in industry and construction were at the 2016-2018 level.

The external factors of business are expected to calm down in 2022, and when it comes to global prices of raw materials, growth is expected to drop below 4% a year.

Bole said that the consensus forecasts of economic growth in the eurozone, Southeast Europe and Slovenia ranged from 4.2% to 4.6%.

Presenting the trends during the Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 to the beginning of 2021, he noted that expenditure in Slovenia had increased at a higher rate than in the eurozone on average and in Southeast Europe.

However, this has not had as favourable effect on the gross domestic product (BDP) or social security, Bole said.

Comparative data on added value, employment and hours worked also show that the measures taken by the state, in particular subsidies to companies for workers who were not able to work, have not been very well targeted.

There was excessive support for industries that were not strongly affected by the closure of public life, while there was too little support in industries that were the most affected - commerce, transport, warehousing and hospitality, Bole said.

The economist noted the high increase in the general government sector debt. While he does not claim that high debt will not be sustainable in "normal" circumstances, it will be important how Slovenia will be perceived by investors.

The expected calming down of the growth in prices of raw materials reduces the probability of the European Central Bank "pulling the handbrake", i.e. introducing a stricter monetary policy. If it does, consequences will come quickly.

"Forecast for next year is favourable ... and debt will be sustainable if what happened in the eurozone, when mark-ups increased and the ECB started to intervene, does not happen here," Bole added.

According to him, an increased debt will reduce the potential of the state to support long-term technological restructuring as part of green transition and for some other major fiscal commitments, such as investments in healthcare.

13 Oct 2021, 09:34 AM

Slovenia Joins Call for EU to Recognise Nuclear Power as Low-Carbon Energy

STA, 12 October - Ten EU countries, Slovenia included, have asked the EU Commission to recognise nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source that should be part of the Union's transition towards climate neutrality and help reduce the bloc's energy dependence.

The ten countries say nuclear is a "key affordable, stable and independent energy source" that could protect EU consumers from being "exposed to the volatility of prices," Euronews has reported.

"While renewable energy sources play a key role for our energy transition, they cannot produce enough low-carbon electricity to meet our needs, at a sufficient and a constant level," the letter says.

The signatories also highlight nuclear as a way of improving the bloc's energy independence. "The rise of energy prices have also shown how important is it to reduce our energy dependence on third countries as fast as possible," reads the letter.

Commenting on the letter, Slovenian Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec wrote on Twitter that nuclear energy was "crucial for energy independence. More and more countries now realise that."

Slovenia's sole nuclear power station in Krško accounted for 45% of all energy produced in Slovenia last year. Plans have already been set in motion to replace the ageing reactor with a new unit.

Commenting on the matter during a visit with Slovenian automotive suppliers in Idrija, Prime Minister Janez Janša said it would be impossible to provide sufficient supply of the population or achieve carbon-free society by 2050 without increasing production at nuclear power plants in Europe.

The countries that will not opt for nuclear energy for one reason or another will have to abandon their reservations about those who will or else the formula will not work out, said Janša.

He noted that nuclear energy is a political issue and one involving prejudice because of disasters such as the one in Chernobyl in 1986. "However, it's necessary to realise that since Chernobyl the technology has become more advanced and safety mechanisms have become much better."

Janša agrees that nuclear plants are not fully sustainable due to the problems of fuel and waste, but he said "all that is solvable".

"Either we opt for nuclear energy or we burn candles, a consideration will have to be made what poses a greater risk to the civilisation," said Janša.

13 Oct 2021, 05:07 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 13 October 2021

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Logar vows Slovenia's support for Bosnia's EU accession efforts

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar assured his Bosnian counterpart Bisera Turković of Slovenia's support for Bosnia-Herzegovina's EU accession process, including when it comes to reforms the country needs to adopt to join the bloc. Turković said her country was ready for EU candidate status. Logar told Turković during her working visit that "empty statements saying the EU has no serious desire for enlargement should not and cannot be a reason to stall reforms".

EU ministers call for unified criteria regarding Covid pass

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The informal meeting of the EU health ministers in Brdo pri Kranju called for as unified as possible criteria for the implementation of the recovered-vaccinated-tested rule. Speaking after the hybrid event, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides also called for coordination. Asked about more unified rules regarding vaccination against Covid-19, Slovenian Minister Janez Poklukar said national authorities should adjust decisions to EMA's recommendations.

EU ministers reach deal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - After tough talks, EU agriculture ministers chaired by Slovenia's Jože Podgoršek reached a political agreement in Luxembourg on the total allowable catch in the Baltic Sea next year which would cut the catch for some fish stocks. Podgoršek said the agreement was balancing the interests and socio-economic needs of the Baltic fishing communities with the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in the region. Debating the Fit for 55 package the ministers raised risks to the competitiveness of European agriculture and a potential impact on food prices.

Minister calls for safeguards in tech take-up by judiciary

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič warned at an EU ministerial forum on the digital judiciary that technological solutions being deployed in the judiciary, including artificial intelligence, must come with safeguards that will ensure the respect of fundamental rights. The forum is conceived as a platform for the exchange of experiences in digitalisation of the judiciary in individual member states.

Logar addresses OSCE Mediterranean Conference

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar discussed the need to build resilience to future crises and the importance of stability and security in the Mediterranean as addressed by video link the annual OSCE Mediterranean Conference. The conference was organised by Poland, which is chairing the group of OSCE Mediterranean partners. These are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel. Logar also raised the issue of climate change as a security challenge and a threat multiplier.

State secretary attends Non-Aligned Movement event in Belgrade

BELGRADE, Serbia - Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stanislav Raščan attended an event marking the 60th anniversary of the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade, Serbia, on Monday to meet several Serbian officials on the sidelines of the event to discuss topical issues, such as Serbia's EU integration and succession to the former Yugoslavia.

Four opposition parties announce motion to oust interior minister

LJUBLJANA - Centre-left opposition parties announced a motion to oust Interior Minister Aleš Hojs over violent crackdown on protests, and politicisation of the police force. Hojs said he had not been acquainted with the content so he would not comment at this stage. The motion, which is to be filed next week, had been drawn up by the Left, with the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Social Democrats (SD) and the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) joining in.

DeSUS council denies support to govt, MPs disagree

LJUBLJANA - The council of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) adopted a document whereby it denies any further support to the government, while calling on the government to resign immediately and call a snap election. Addressing reporters, party leader Ljubo Jasnič said that while it may benefit individual members of DeSUS to support the government, such support was extremely harmful for the party. It is unlikely DeSUS MEPs will follow the decision as two of them present at the meeting opposed it.

Slovenia joins appeal to Brussels to label nuclear energy green

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Ten EU countries, Slovenia included, have asked the EU Commission to recognise nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source that should be part of the Union's transition towards climate neutrality and help reduce the bloc's energy dependence. The ten countries say nuclear is a "key affordable, stable and independent energy source" that could protect EU consumers from being "exposed to the volatility of prices," Euronews reported. PM Janez Janša said increasing production at nuclear power plants in Europe was essential to securing sufficient supply and achieving carbon-free society by 2050.

Govt expresses support for major green mobility project

IDRIJA - The government expressed support for an initiative by ten automotive suppliers to form a partnership with the government and scientists in the field of green mobility whose ultimate goal is to increase total annual sales of the automotive industry in Slovenia from EUR 3 billion today to EUR 5 billion by 2030. Prime Minister Janez Janša and other government officials were presented the project by the participating companies and the Slovenian Automotive Cluster as they visited Idrija, a major car part maker hub.

Petrol announces major price hikes as ministry analyses situation

LJUBLJANA - Petrol, Slovenia's largest energy company, will significantly increase the prices of electricity and natural gas on 1 December due to higher energy prices in international markets. Power is to go up by 30% and of natural gas by 12%. Other suppliers are expected to follow suit. Higher energy prices are a major problem for the entire EU economy not just for Slovenian's, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said. The situation is being analysed and he hopes solutions will be found for each segment.

IMF upgrades growth forecast for Slovenia

WASHINGTON, US - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded the forecast for the Slovenian economy. It projects the country's GDP will grow by 6.3% this year, up 2.4 percentage points from its spring forecast. The forecast for 2022 was however lifted by only 0.1 of a point, to 4.6%. The IMF forecast is now almost exactly the same as the projection by the government's macroeconomic think-tank IMAD made a month earlier.

Govt approves fiscal plan for 2022

LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed a draft budgetary plan for 2022 setting out the country's fiscal policy for next year. This is a document all EU members have to send to the European Commission as part of coordination of fiscal policies by mid-October. The plan projects for the general government deficit to fall from 7.5% of GDP this year to 5.4% in 2022 and further to 3.3% in 2023, while it should drop below 3% in 2024. Debt is to be reduced to 77.5% of GDP in 2022 and to 76% in 2023.

MPs told economy ministry's budget huge on recovery funds

LJUBLJANA - The Economy Committee discussed the draft 2022 and 2023 budgets for the relevant ministry, with the funds being increased for next year, while a cut is envisaged in 2023. Nevertheless, the ministry believes the set goals would be achieved in both years, while support for companies in recovering from the Covid-19 crisis would continue. The ministry's 2022 budget is being raised from EUR 289.3 million to EUR 360.4 million. In 2023, it is to get EUR 216.9 million.

Diaspora office looking at record budget in 2023

LJUBLJANA - The Office for Slovenians Abroad is to see its annual budget increase from EUR 10.17 million this year to EUR 10.7 million in 2022 and to a record EUR 11.3 million in 2023. This follows from the national budget documents for the coming two years that were reviewed by the parliamentary Commission for Slovenians Abroad. Commission members from the coalition and the opposition as well as State Secretary Dejan Valentinčič hailed the increase in budgetary funds for the office.

Tourism to get EUR 200m in investment funds

LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek announced the Slovenian tourism industry would get EUR 200 million in investment funds through various calls in the near future, as Tourist Organisation (STO) director Maja Pak said the country would see an 11% rise in arrivals this year compared to 2020. The pair spoke to reporters in Ljubljana ahead of the Days of Slovenian Tourism, the industry's major annual event, to be held in Postojna over the next two days.

Number of new coronavirus cases up slightly week-on-week

LJUBLJANA - After a week-long downward trend, the number of new coronavirus topped 1,000 on Monday, standing at 1,005, in what is an increase over the week before. The PCR test positivity rate was at 22%. Hospitalisations are also up slightly today and one more Covid-19 patient has died, government data show.

CoE urges more focus on socially vulnerable women in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The first evaluation report on Slovenia's implementation of the Istanbul Convention notes a number of positive measures but points out that more attention should be paid to forms of violence against women other than domestic violence. The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence highlighted Slovenia's significant progress "towards building a comprehensive legal, policy and institutional framework in the field of prevention of domestic violence" before and after its 2015 ratification of the convention.

Festival of Slovenian Film opens in Portorož

PORTOROŽ - The 24th Festival of Slovenian Film opened in the coastal town of Portorož with the screening of Inventura, a film by Darko Sink. Until Sunday, a total of 54 films will compete for the festival's awards. Inventura, which premiered at the San Sebastian film festival, is a story of a man whose illusions of the world come crumbling down. "The irony and force of this collapse can be compared to the present, when it is no longer clear what is true and what is 'fake'," Sink said about his first film.

Luka Dončić and Mark Cuban honoured as tourism ambassadors

LJUBLJANA - Young Slovenian basketball ace Luka Dončić is being honoured by the Slovenian tourism community with the Crystal Triglav, awarded to those who contribute the most to Slovenia's promotion around the world. Mark Cuban, the owner of Dončić's NBA team Dallas Mavericks, became the ambassador of Slovenian tourism for 2021. The award ceremony will be held in the Postojna Cave on Wednesday.

Slovenia fail to make it to World Cup after loss against Russia

MARIBOR - The Slovenian men's football team conceded defeat to Russia (1:2) in Maribor on Monday evening. Thus, Slovenia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The eighth match of the qualification was fatal for the Slovenian side, which will miss out on the World Cup in Qatar. The team still has two more matches to play, one in Slovakia and one at home against Cyprus.

12 Oct 2021, 16:08 PM

Food Price Inflation Hit Slovenia in 2020, Average Slovene Ate 88kg Meat, 64kg Potatoes

STA, 12 October 2022 - Most basic food products became more expensive in 2020, the year marked by the Covid-19 epidemic, the Statistics Office said on Tuesday in light of the upcoming World Food Day on 16 October. They added that price rises were the most substantial in apples (+35.4%) and minced meat (+22.8%).

Other basic foodstuffs that have recorded price rises in 2020 include a packet of 10 eggs (+9.8%), a kilogram of bread (6.6%) and a litre of milk (+4.1%). Meanwhile, the price of potatoes was down 18.9%.

Last year, the average Slovenian consumed 119 kilograms of vegetables, 116 kilograms of cereals, 88 kilograms of meat, 64 kilograms of potatoes, five kilograms of rice and one kilogram of honey.

The agricultural products self-sufficiency rate in Slovenia increased last year compared to 2019 for all products included in the Statistics Office's calculations, most prominently in honey and cereals.

The highest levels of self-sufficiency were recorded in eggs (95%) and cereals (89%), followed by meat (84%), potatoes (60%) and vegetables (48%).

Meanwhile, the most imported food products in Slovenia last year were vegetables and fruit, with a total value of EUR 488 million, the Statistics Office said.

The most valuable exports were dairy products and eggs, valued at EUR 250 million. The most food imports in value terms came from Italy, and the most exports went to Croatia.

Food manufacturing companies in Slovenia generated just under EUR 2 billion in sales last year, a decrease of 3.6% compared to 2019. Food production contributed 7.1% to the total manufacturing turnover.

12 Oct 2021, 12:37 PM

Council of Europe Report Calls for Slovenia to Do More for Vulnerable Women

STA, 12 October 2021 - The first evaluation report on Slovenia's implementation of the Istanbul Convention, released on Tuesday, notes a number of positive measures but points out that more attention should be paid to forms of violence against women other than domestic violence. Efforts to help women from socially vulnerable groups should be boosted.

The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has highlighted Slovenia's significant progress "towards building a comprehensive legal, policy and institutional framework in the field of prevention of domestic violence" before and after its 2015 ratification of the convention.

The group points to improvements in legislation, including redefinitions of rape and sexual violence based on the yes-means-yes concept and criminalising stalking and forced marriage.

"The measures taken by the Slovenian authorities demonstrate their clear commitment to eliminate gender-based violence against women," said the GREVIO delegation to Slovenia.

However, the report also points out that "less policy attention, funding, and political support is directed towards other forms of violence against women covered by the convention, in particular rape, stalking, forced marriage/abortion/sterilisation and female genital mutilation".

Slovenia is hence urged to step up efforts to address all types of violence against women, particularly sexual violence. It is key the state adopts a new strategic document to improve the situation.

When it comes to vulnerable women, such as Roma and other national minorities or women with disabilities, efforts by NGOs to take into account their specific needs are lauded, but generally speaking, these women still face discrimination, says the report.

"Women victims without a permanent residence permit are of special concern, as they don't have access to safe houses," warned GREVIO, calling on Slovenia to continue with its relevant efforts, including by improving access to shelters for Roma women and migrant women without a permanent residence permit.

Moreover, efforts should be stepped up to ensure that legislative, training and awareness-raising measures to address the different forms of violence against women as a gendered phenomenon.

The report also warns that Slovenia's data collection should be improved to provide an integrated system that would cover all the forms of violence.

A stronger criminal justice response is also needed. What raises concern is "the high level of attrition rates in relation to several forms of violence against women, in particular domestic violence and rape, and the lack of effort to identify its causes".

In response to the report the Human Rights Ombudsman called on the relevant Slovenian authorities to adopt a strategy for the combat against all forms of violence against women.

The ombudsman described the report as an important mechanism for the protection of human rights which sheds light on where improvements can be made.

Noting progress identified by the report, the ombudsman also highlighted issues such as a lack of trainings and protocols that would lead to suitable institutional response, and a lack of coordination at the level of policies.

The ombudsman's office said they had established many shortcomings themselves and GREVIO representatives also met Ombudsman Peter Svetina during their visit to Slovenia.

The ombudsman called on those responsible to examine the recommendations and take measures to implement them as soon as possible.

The Association for Non-Violent Communication fully endorsed the report, its head Katja Zabukovec Kerin telling the STA that a focus in the coming years should be on specially vulnerable groups of women as well as on tackling the issue of parents' contacts with their children when violence is present.

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