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This summary is provided by the STA:
Pahor says new government could have long-term prospects
LJUBLJANA - In an interview with the public broadcaster TV Slovenija on Frida, President Borut Pahor has talked about the international circumstances, noting that the government is in for deliberation about how to remain an ally in helping Ukraine, while wisely "regulating sanctions so that we can help ourselves". He also spoke about the long-term prospects of the new cabinet, saying it had a solid political majority that made it possible to "look a little bit further into the future", and saying that Prime Minister Golob has the required ability and intelligence.
Slovenia received many congratulations on Statehood Day
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia received congratulations from world leaders on Statehood Day, with President Borut Pahor getting messages from Queen Elizabeth II, US President Joe Biden, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others. Pahor also received messages from Spanish King Felipe VI, King Philippe of Belgium and Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and the leaders of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Finland, Switzerland, Egypt, Georgia and Kenya.
President hands out two state decorations on Statehood Day
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor conferred the Golden Order of Merit on Ludvik Toplak, a former rector of the University of Maribor, and Roberto Battelli, a former MP for the Italian minority, at a ceremony that also marked Statehood Day. Toplak was honoured for "outstanding contribution to the democratisation and independence of Slovenia and its promotion internationally and in the academic circles." Battelli received the decoration for his work and contribution to the development of democracy in Slovenia and for his merits in connecting and preserving the Italian minority in Slovenia, the president's office said.
Fajon to visit Berlin and Zagreb soon, new ambassadors to stay
LJUBLJANA - In an interview with the STA, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon expressed the hope that the war in Ukraine would end as soon as possible and announced a visit to Berlin as a sign of return to the core EU countries. She will also work on having good relations with Croatia, which is however unlikely to join the Schengen Area any time soon. Asked about the government's announcement of revision of the appointments of ambassadors by the previous, Janez Janša government, Fajon said that the appointments had been approved at all levels and there was no legal basis for recalls.
First Slovenian president, PM would like to see more unity
LJUBLJANA - On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of independence, Slovenia's first President Milan Kučan and first Prime Minister Lojze Peterle said they would like to see more unity of the nation. Kučan, who served as the president of the republic in 1991-2002, said that "when people feel that there is no unity between what people think and what politics does, big projects do not even start, let alone are concluded." Peterle, who served as prime minister in 1990-1992, said he would like to see politicians be able to stand together on essential issues, and more dialogue and more high political culture.
US assistant secretary of state to visit Slovenia
WASHINGTON, US - Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele Sison will pay a visit to Vienna, Rome and Ljubljana, the US Department of State announced on Friday, but it has not yet revealed when exactly the visit will take place. In Ljubljana, Sison will meet with Slovenian officials "to discuss shared interests at the UN", including Slovenia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from the beginning of 2024 to the end of 2025.
Štore Steel posts record sales for 2021
ŠTORE - Štore Steel, a leading Slovenian steel producer, had a record year in 2021 with EUR 144.6 million in revenue, a 69% increase from the year before and 38% above projections. Profit stood at EUR 6 million, compared to a EUR 2.5 million loss in the year before. Steel sales were 30% higher than in 2020, reaching 145,577 tonnes, which is 7.8% higher than projected. The average price of steel was EUR 991 per tonne, said the CEO Jani Jurkošek for the STA. He estimates that the increased revenue is mainly due to increased prices of iron and alloys, which represent the variable part of the company's prices.
Number of newborns in Slovenia up one percent last year
LJUBLJANA - A total of 18,984 children were born in Slovenia last year, which is 217 or 1% more than in 2020. The average age of the mother at the birth of her first child was 29.6 years, and at the average age at any birth was 31.1 years, the Statistics Office reported. There were 9,822 newborn boys and 9,162 newborn girls last year, and the number of newborns per 1,000 residents in 2021 was nine, up from 8.9 in the year before. On average, 52 children were born every day, which is one more than in 2020. There were 264 pairs of twins, with 84 pairs of boys and 91 pairs of girls.
