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This summary is provided by the STA:
Golob sees "important step" taken for Bosnia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - While Slovenia did not succeed with its proposal that Bosnia-Herzegovina be granted EU candidate status along with Ukraine and Moldova at the EU summit, PM Robert Golob said an "important step" had nevertheless been taken since the country has been put back on the EU's agenda. Golob said Bosnia had been "plucked back from a kind of oblivion" in which it had spent several years, and now the EU leaders have a rough time frame in which the topic will be back on the agenda. FM Tanja Fajon also said the proposal opened a very important debate and showed proactivity and unity.
Prime minister to visit Germany in July, hopes for good relations with all neighbours
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob has told Delo that his first official bilateral visit will be to Germany in the first half of July. He also indicated Slovenia was in no hurry when it comes to the border arbitration agreement with Croatia. He said many European countries had open issues with their neighbours. "The award of the arbitral tribunal is a fact and any debate about that is unnecessary. The agreement will be implemented sooner or later, and we wish that Croatian politics slowly accepted that," he said.
Slovenian NGO wins 2022 European Citizens' Prize
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, a Slovenian network of NGOs that has played a major role in challenging controversial government restrictions during the Covid pandemic is among the recipients of this year's European Citizens' Prize conferred by the European Parliament. It has received the recognition for a project supporting individuals and organisations in the use of legal means to challenge measures, procedures and policies that are unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Strategic council united that Ukraine war should end ASAP
LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry's strategic council held its maiden session to discuss the Ukraine war. After an almost three-hour debate, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said that despite some differences in views, all members agreed the war should end ASAP. She also revealed she would meet her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in July. A key message was that Slovenia and the EU must remain united in their responses to the Ukraine crisis. Fajon asserted Slovenia would continue to help Ukraine "wherever possible"
Parliamentary committee opposes referendum on RTV Slovenija
LJUBLJANA - The Culture Committee rejected an opposition-sponsored motion to call a referendum on the changes to the RTV Slovenija act which would make the now mandatory RTV Slovenija licence fee voluntary. The Democrats (SDS) filed the motion in mid-May after tabling the bill in parliament. The motion delayed the final decision on the changes by the then emerging coalition led by the Freedom Movement, which intended to vote them down in parliament.
Digital minister discusses immersive tech at EU event
TOULOUSE, France - Slovenia's Minister for Digital Transformation Emilija Stojmenova Duh attended the annual EU Digital Assembly in Toulouse, France in the middle of this week. Taking part in a panel on immersive technologies in Europe, the minister said such technologies had an immense potential and their use would only increase in the future. The Government Office for Digital Transformation quoted her as saying that immersive technologies enabled a more friendly access to the virtual world.
Activist petitioning for referendum on govt restructuring bill
LJUBLJANA - Political activist Vili Kovačič launched a petition for a referendum on a bill that would allow the prime minister to shape the cabinet as he sees fit. The changes, expanding the number of ministries by three, are a disgrace for democracy, he said, adding he would call on PM Robert Golob to withdraw them from procedure. He intends to challenge all coalition-sponsored bills passed in parliament in the future.
Clashing responses to US overturning Roe v Wade in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Responding to the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, two Slovenian organisations displayed opposite views. The feminist NGO 8 March Institute condemned the decision, whereas the March for Life civil initiative, an anti-abortion organisation, welcomed it.
Melamin accident did not cause pollution in Kočevje
KOČEVJE - Analyses of samples taken from the soil near chemical plant Melamin in Kočevje, south Slovenia, which was devastated by a massive explosion in mid-May, have shown no signs of soil pollution, the Environment Agency said. "No substances connected to the explosion or Melamin's operations were found in any of the samples ..." said the report. Samples were taken from the soil on the day of the accident and the day after by Talum Institute.
Tourist arrivals in May up three-fold year-on-year
LJUBLJANA - A total of 461,000 tourist arrivals were recorded in tourist accommodation facilities in Slovenia in May, which is over three times more than in the same month last year. The number of overnight stays generated by tourists in May was meanwhile up by 258% to 1.137 million, the Statistics Office said. The number of tourists from non-European countries increased significantly.
Business sentiment down in June
LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment in Slovenia dropped by two percentage points in June over May, reaching 0.8 percentage points. Compared to June 2021, the sentiment dropped by 7.1 percentage points. All confidence indices affected the sentiment, with manufacturing lowering it by 0.6 percentage points, consumers by 0.5 points, services by 0.4 points, construction by 0.3 points and retail by 0.2 points.
Coronavirus case count up 40% on a weekly basis
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus infections, at 645 on Thursday, was up by almost 40% on a weekly basis. Hospitalisation numbers remained stable, while one Covid-19 patient died, the fresh official statistics show. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population increased by 17 to 298, and the 7-day case average is at 536, up by 25 on a daily basis.
Koper police bust two international criminal gangs
KOPER - In cooperation with the Italian authorities, the Koper police dismantled two internationally-organised criminal gangs involved in smuggling and trafficking large quantities of illegal drugs. They arrested eleven suspects and seized several kilograms of cocaine and cannabis and over EUR 60,000 in cash, the Koper Police Department said.
Tour of Slovenia attracts huge crowds both in person and on TV
LJUBLJANA - The Tour of Slovenia road cycling race that took place last week produced some impressive viewership numbers, as it was seen in person by some 300,000 people, while almost 11 million people saw it on the Eurosport TV network, which is 1.5 million more than last year. The race was also a big hit on social networks.
