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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:
Šarec advocates proactive, balanced foreign policy
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec made the case for a proactive and balanced foreign policy as he addressed Slovenian diplomats gathered for their annual consultation. He highlighted the rule of law as a central tenet of Slovenia's foreign policy, and stressed Slovenia's continued commitment to a strong and effective EU and a firm transatlantic alliance. While relations with neighbours and like-minded EU countries remain a priority, he said it is also important that Slovenia expand its circle of partners and strengthen bilateral ties with other countries with shared interests.
In AP interview, PM warns of danger of populism
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec warned of the danger of populism in an interview with the Associated Press, arguing that the EU needed more efficient leadership to successfully counter the populist surge. Mainstream officials and parties have failed to deter right-wing groups, and populists are advancing in Europe because moderate parties have not been successful with their agenda, he said. "We need another leadership ... we need such leaders that will be proactive that will be more capable of fast decisions."
Parliamentary committees condemn Hungary's meddling in freedom of press
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary committees in charge of foreign affairs and culture condemned the interference of Hungary in the freedom of press in Slovenia, meeting almost three weeks after Hungarian Ambassador Edit Szilágyiné Bátorfi lodged a verbal note with the Foreign Ministry over the cover of the Mladina magazine portraying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban with his hand raised in a Nazi salute.
Foreign Minister Miro Cerar pledged to react decisively when basic values of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and Slovenia's sovereignty are under attack in the future.
Parties submit formal candidacies
LJUBLJANA - The Social Democrats (SD), Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), Modern Centre Party (SMC) and the fringe United Slovenia formally submitted their candidacies for EU elections with the National Electoral Commission. SD plans to focus on restoring trust in Europe by highlighting jobs, climate change, security and migration as the main issues, while DeSUS plans to focus its campaign on its top candidate, MEP Igor Šoltes, with the slogan Šoltes, Our Man in Brussels. The SMC counts on winning one seat in the European Parliament, while United Slovenia will campaign for Slovenia's exit from the EU.
Economy minister visits Hisense, promises govt's support
BEIJING, China - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek visited the headquarters of Hisense, the owner of household appliances maker Gorenje, on the second day of his visit to China. He said Hisense would get the government's support in simplifying procedures and having its investments approved in Slovenia. Počivalšek was received by Hisense group vice president Tang Yeguo and the delegation visited the manufacturing plant for cooling devices and the showroom, the company said in a press release.
Underfunded, scientists driven into bitter rivalry
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian researchers and scientists held a March for Science and a public debate in Ljubljana to draw the attention of the public and decision-makers to what they see as a flawed financing system that is driving cut-throat competition in science. They believe the current short-term project financing system is misguided, because the rivalry it produces impacts on the relationships between researchers and institutions. They want the state to secure more and steadier funding.
Yet another ruling against LB and NLB in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Finance Ministry announced that NLB bank and the defunct LB bank had lost another court case linked to Yugoslav-era bank deposits in Croatia as the Zagreb County Court upheld a ruling ordering them to repay more than EUR 8m in principal plus interest and litigation costs. The ruling runs afoul of Croatia's commitments under the 2001 Succession Agreement and the 2013 Mokrice Memorandum signed by Slovenia and Croatia. Should Croatia levy distress on NLB, the bank will be compensated by the Succession Fund, set up by Slovenia under legislation passed in July 2018.
Procedure launched to sell further 10% state stake in NLB
LJUBLJANA - The supervisory board of Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) gave its go-ahead for hiring a legal adviser to sell a further 10% minus one share in NLB bank after the state already sold 65% in Slovenia'sd largest bank last year. The state needs to reduce its stake to 25% plus one share under commitments given to the European Commission when it approved a EUR 1.56bn state aid for the bank in late 2013.
Business ties with Russian Samara region promoted
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) hosted a meeting of businessmen from Slovenia and the Russian Samara region as part of a visit by a government and business delegation led by Samara Governor Dmitry Azarov. On the occasion the GZS signed a cooperation agreement with its Samara counterpart that is expected to help boost bilateral trade and business links. Governor Azarov noted huge potential for cooperation in particular in science and education, industry and tourism.
Triglav completes acquisition of Alta Skladi
LJUBLJANA - The fund management branch of insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav completed the acquisition of fund manager Alta Skladi to become the leading provider of mutual funds in the Slovenian market with a 34% market share. Alta, then Slovenia's largest asset management group, was sold in September 2018. The Austrian BKS bank purchased the group's brokerage business, while the fund management business was sold to Triglav pending regulatory approval.
Business sentiment deteriorating
LJUBLJANA - Business sentiment decreased for the second month running in April. The indicator declined by 2.1 percentage points over March 2019 and by 6.4 points year-on-year, the Statistics Office said. The manufacturing confidence indicator had the greatest impact on the deterioration of the sentiment indicator at the monthly level, having dropped by 1.1 points.
Ceremony commemorates Jews deported from Lendava
LENDAVA - President Borut Pahor addressed a ceremony commemorating the Jews deported during World War II from Lendava at the synagogue in this eastern-most Slovenian town. He underlined that the great European idea of peace and security must be protected. Pahor dedicated his address to Erika Fürst, a holocaust survivor, inviting her to join him next year at the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Exhibition presents Slovenian scenography
LJUBLJANA - An exhibition offering an overview of set design in Slovenia from the 19th century to 1991 went on display at the National Gallery. More than 220 exhibits are complemented by videos of theatre performances and computer visualisations of contemporary sets. Numerous scale models, sketches of sets in various techniques, and photographs of theatrical scenery will be on display until 8 September.
