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This summary is provided by the STA
Šarec concerned by Croatia wire tapping revelations
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec expressed concern over the news that the Croatian Intelligence Agency was behind the wire tapping of Slovenia's arbitrator and agent in the border arbitration, which was the reason for Croatia to withdraw from arbitration. "If this is the modus operandi in the EU we are concerned," Šarec said after the government was briefed on the developments by the head of the Slovenian intelligence agency SOVA. Šarec would not go into detail, but said that what they heard was worrying. The Croatian side denied any involvement.
Cerar: Slovenia supports enhancement of NATO's deterrent stance
WASHINGTON, US - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar is in Washington for a special session of NATO foreign ministers, which included two working meetings and a working lunch. Cerar stressed that Slovenia supported all decisions which enhanced the defensive and deterrent stance of NATO, the Foreign Ministry said. At the same time, Slovenia supports enhanced dialogue between NATO and Russia, which is necessary in the given circumstances, he said, adding that "we must not forget about NATO partners in the region, in particular Georgia and Ukraine."
Govt reviews draft National Reform Programme
LJUBLJANA- The government was acquainted with the draft National Reform Programme for 2019 and 2020. The final version of the document, which refers to planned tweaks to the tax and pension systems, is expected to be endorsed by the cabinet next week before being sent to Brussels by 15 April. The government said the main goal of its economic policies remained stimulating the economy's competitiveness and productivity. This would be done through tax restructuring and pension reform measures raising the retirement age for those not yet completing 40 years of service.
Decree adopted to grant concession for Koper rail expansion
LJUBLJANA - The government issued a decree which will serve as the basis to conclude a concession contract with the state-owned TDK2 company for the construction and management of the EUR 1bn project to build a second rail track connecting the city port of Koper and Divača. The concession will be awarded for 45 years. Most importantly, the decree provides that 2TDK will carry the risks, except in exceptional cases when the state will assume them up to the limit set in the decree.
National Council debate stresses need to keep NATO in good shape
LJUBLJANA - The need to keep NATO in good shape through greater engagement by Europe and Slovenia as US support is no longer self-evident was highlighted as the National Council hosted the latest in a series of panels marking the 70th anniversary of NATO and 15 years of Slovenia's membership. Janez Janša, the leader of the Democrats (SDS) and former PM and defence minister, argued that Slovenia could an hardly contribute to joint security if it was incapable of defending itself, and former Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said Slovenia's involvement was almost invisible.
Slovenia to hire up to 90 doctors from third countries
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Aleš Šabeder signed a decree on Wednesday that allows hiring up to 90 doctors from non-EU countries this year in order to deal with an acute shortage of general practitioners in Slovenia. Up to 55 placements are for GPs. Šabeder also told two TV stations last night that the ministry was proposing speciality training for 49 trainee doctors this year. He promised further measures to follow soon to implement the workload standards and norms agreed with doctors.
Committee discusses possibility to shut down bad bank
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Finance Committee discussed the idea to close down the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) this year instead of in 2020 as planned . The Finance Ministry said it was not considering this option, also because BAMC had not yet sold 75% of the liabilities it had taken over. The bad bank's acting CEO Matej Pirc said that speculation about an early wind-down had been affecting the fluctuation of BAMC employees lately.
PM gets new top foreign policy aide
LJUBLJANA - The government appointed career diplomat Tadeja Forštner Perklič as the new state secretary at the Prime Minister's Office in charge of foreign policy. She will take on the job on 8 April, replacing Roman Kirn, who resigned at the end of last month. Media reported Kirn stepped down due to differences with State Secretary Igor Mally, who was one of those who advised Šarec not to address the European Parliament before the EU election.
Slovenia to open consulate in Katowice
LJUBLJANA - The government decided to open a Slovenian consulate in Katowice which will be headed by honorary consul Tomasz Zjawiony, considered a respected entrepreneur with extensive connections in the south of Poland. The consulate, which will cover the Silesian and Lesser Poland voivodeships, will make it easer to actively follow developments in various fields of economic and social life in the region and seek out business opportunities and activities that can deepen cooperation.
No major punishment for soldiers involved in ammunition theft
LJUBLJANA - The three army members suspected of being responsible for the theft of ammunition from a Slovenian army truck in Germany in October 2018 have been all but cleared in the disciplinary procedure opened against them. Two of them have reportedly been cleared of charges of careless handling of the army property. The procedure against the pair's superior officer concluded a while ago, without any major consequences for his job.
BKS Bank subsidiary reports record profit for 2018
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian subsidiary of the Austrian BKS Bank announced it had generated a record-breaking profit of EUR 6.4m in 2018, a 60% increase compared to 2017, becoming the major brokerage in Slovenia. "Taking over two brokerage businesses boosted the bank's growth," said BKS Bank board member Alexander Novak. BKS has been active in Slovenia since 2004, doing business as a universal bank since 2010. The bank has eight branch offices all the major Slovenian cities.
Milan Kundera to be decorated by Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Czech-French writer Milan Kundera will receive one of Slovenia's highest state decorations for raising his voice for Slovenia's independence and for outstanding contribution to understanding turbulent times in Europe. He will be given the Golden Order of Merit, which is bestowed on Slovenian or foreign citizens for outstanding merit in civilian, diplomatic or military areas. The initiative to decorate Kundera was given by France-based Slovenian philosopher and photographer Evgan Bavčar.
PEN meeting explores "the other" and reading among the young
BLED - The power of literature to tackle prejudice and the need to inspire young people to read and write so as to equip them with a moral compass were highlighted as the two central panel debates were held at the 51st International Writers' Meeting in Bled. Tone Peršak, a former Slovenian culture minister, wondered what clout literature had in promoting good today, as the number of readers is constantly declining. He feels that even if everything being written now was extremely positive, literature would not even come close to offsetting the intolerance and hate being spread on social networks.
Filmmaker Štiglic honoured with centenary celebrations
LJUBLJANA - A series of events is being launched to pay tribute to the director of the first Slovenian feature film, France Štiglic (1919-1993), who is considered one of the finest Slovenian film directors to date. Štiglic directed 15 feature films, including the first sound feature - On Our Own Land (1948), many short and documentary films, and several TV series. His Valley of Peace (1956), an anti-war classic, earned John Kitzmiller best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1957.
Dončić's rookie stats second only to NBA great Oscar Robertson
DALLAS, US - With his Dallas Mavericks having four games left to play in the regular season of the NBA, Slovenian sensation Luka Dončić has secured averages of at least 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game, which makes him only the second rookie to reach those benchmarks in the history of the league along with the great Oscar Robertson. The 20-year-old, who is a leading candidate for the NBA Rookie of the Year award along with Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, currently averages 21.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Novo Mesto boasts successful recycling project
NOVO MESTO - Novo Mesto launched a project of recycling drinks cartons three years ago, which has proved that circular economy works in a local community, that it can be efficient and sustainable. By systematically recycling milk and juice cartons, the community has helped preserve 22 areas of forest and prevented 68 tonnes of CO2 emissions. With a combined population of 65,000, the eight municipalities from the Novo Mesto area participating in the project produce 220 tonnes of waste drinks cartons a year.
