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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
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This summary is provided by the STA
Brexit extension compromise beneficial to both sides, Šarec says
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec said after the EU summit that the extension of Brexit until 31 October agreed by the EU leaders was in the interest of the bloc as well as the UK. This will allow the EU to discuss other, more important topics than Brexit, he said. Šarec added that the EU could not focus exclusively on Brexit, as it had already paralysed the work of the EU to an extent because it prevents discussions about more important issues.
Šarec talks economic cooperation with Chinese counterpart
DUBROVNIK, Croatia - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec met his Chinese counterpart Li Kequiang on the sidelines of the summit of the 16 Central and East European countries and China. According to a press release from the Government Communication Office, Šarec and Li "noted the traditionally good relations between the two countries, which are being deepened still in many areas". The main part of the summit of the 16+1 initiative will be held on Friday.
MPs tell govt to advocate minority representation with Italian officials
LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Affairs Committee and the Commission for Slovenians Abroad agreed Slovenia should start advocating in talks with high-ranking Italian officials that Italy find a solution that would guarantee representation of the Slovenian minority in parliament in Rome. The government was also advised to recommend to Italy to set up a separate electoral district for the Slovenian community. Several MPs said Slovenia treated minorities in its territory in an exemplary way and that reciprocity was expected from Italy.
Erjavec denies blame for arbitration scandal
LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec, who served as foreign minister in the previous cabinet, denied any blame by the ministry for the 2015 border arbitration phone tapping scandal. He welcomed the decision to investigate the Slovenian border arbitration agent, he however feels the Slovenian arbiter should also be interviewed. This was after the parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Commission decided on Wednesday to reopen an investigation against Simona Drenik, the Slovenian agent whom Croatian intelligence intercepted discussing arbitration details with arbiter Jernej Sekolec.
UK-Slovenian chamber of commerce panel welcomes Brexit extension
LJUBLJANA - A panel on Brexit hosted by the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce agreed that the Article 50 extension means more time for the best possible solution, meaning one based on a deal. British Ambassador Sophie Honey believes the extension until 31 October does not mean a prolongation of uncertainty but more time for the best possible approach. UK Trade Commissioner for Europe Andrew Mitchell said a no-deal Brexit would have substantial consequences for the economy, while the extension provides an opportunity to reach a deal and enable the firm economic ties to be preserved in the future.
Slovenian bishops adopt zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Bishops' Conference adopted a directive instituting a zero-tolerance policy in matters of sexual abuse. Members of the clergy will now be required to immediately report any suspicions, evidence or information of sexual abuse to public authorities and to collaborate with them in the subsequent investigation. Following this directive, adopted at a meeting of the permanent council of the Slovenian Bishops' Conference, clergy members are also required to collaborate with public authorities in all the stages of a potential investigation.
Survey unemployment in 2018 lowest in a decade
LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office reported that the survey unemployment rate decreased for the fifth consecutive year in 2018. It hit a ten-year low of 5.1%, which was 1.4 percentage points lower than in 2017. The rate remains the highest, at 9%, among those between 15 and 29 years of age. However, this group has also been seeing a steady decrease in unemployment, with the most recent figure being 10.1 percentage points lower than its highest value in 2013. Slovenia's active population increased by 0.7% year-on-year to 1.034 million.
Small shareholders unhappy with bill on wiped-out subordinated bonds
LJUBLJANA - Two associations of small shareholders are not happy with the bill the government adopted on Tuesday to provide recourse for holders of subordinated bank liabilities who were wiped out in a EUR 5.5bn bank bailout in 2013. The VZMD does not support the government bill, but the one adopted only a day after the government by the upper chamber of parliament. The MDS, on the other hand, urged the government to combine both bills into a new one to provide for the best of solutions.
Slovenia step closer to UNESCO AI centre
LJUBLJANA - UNESCO endorsed Slovenia's plan to set up a UNESCO-sponsored international research centre for artificial intelligence (AI) in the capital Ljubljana. The proposal was endorsed by UNESCO's executive committee in Paris after it was backed by the Slovenian government last month. The centre would advise governments, organisations, legal entities and the general public on systemic and strategic solutions in implementing AI. The final go-ahead needs to come from the UNESCO conference in November.
Slovenia to provide EUR 50,000 in aid for Venezuela
LJUBLJANA - The government said Slovenia would provide EUR 50,000 in humanitarian aid for Venezuela, as the humanitarian situation in the country has worsened. The funds from the Foreign Ministry's budget will be sent via the European Commission's Directorate for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. The government explained that Venezuela was in a deep political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis. The falling oil prices and poor management without any sustainable investments have brought hyperinflation and food shortages, it added.
Krka proposing 10% higher dividends than last year
NOVO MESTO - The supervisory board of pharmaceutical company Krka and its management board proposed a EUR 3.20 gross per share dividend on Wednesday, with Krka noting that the figure represents a 10.3% increase over last year's dividend. The supervisors and the management will propose at the AGM scheduled for 4 July that shareholders earmark for dividends EUR 101.84m out of a total of EUR 189.47m in distributable profit. Just under EUR 43.82m is to go for other reserves from profit and an almost equal amount is to be transferred to next year.
President decorates members of Slovenian minorities abroad
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor honoured several members of the Slovenian communities in Italy and Hungary, giving out four state decorations. Former Italian MP Tamara Blažina received the order of merit, while Alojz Debelis, a farmer in Italy, the Hungary-based Mukič family and Austria-based historian Janez Stergar received medals of merit. The highest decoration went to Blažina, who was honoured for her work to further the Slovenian community in Italy during her two terms in Italian parliament, the president's office said in a press release.
Survey: Slovenia 15th in EU in terms of employed new graduates
LJUBLJANA - A survey on the share of employed new graduates in Europe has shown that a number of EU countries have made progress in terms of new graduates' employability. Slovenia has place 15th among them and its share of employed new graduates reached more than 80%. Slovenia gained seven places compared to last year's study and was among the EU countries which have moved closer to the goal of the 82% share of employed new graduates until 2020.
Slovenians to be able to officially have several names and surnames
LJUBLJANA - The government proposed changes to the personal name act that allow citizens to officially have more than two first and two second names. Also being made possible is the use of initials or name abbreviations as part of the name listed in official affairs. The restricted number of names proved problematic in practice above all in cases of dual citizens who had to give up some of their names for their entry in the Slovenian civil registry.
Unknown Kosovel published in monumental book
LJUBLJANA - Poems, texts, fragments and notes by Slovenian avant-garde poet Srečko Kosovel (1904-1926) that had never been published before were released in a two-volume book featuring almost 2,000 pages. Vsem Naj Bom Neznan (Let Me Be Unknown to All) was compiled and edited by Slovenian poet and art historian Miklavž Komelj, and published by publisher Goga. Kosovel is often labelled a leading constructivist in Europe due to his progressive and ground-breaking work.
