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A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
FM: To join Schengen, Croatia has to meet legal standards
NEW YORK, US/LJUBLJANA - Commenting on the unofficial media reports about Croatia getting a go-ahead to enter the Schengen area in October, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar said that it was in Slovenia's interest to see its neighbour joining Schengen, but only if Croatia showed respect for all EU democratic and legal standards. Meanwhile, Matjaž Nemec, the head of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee, indicated that Slovenia might raise an objection to Croatia's joining the Schengen area. The Social Democrat (SD) MP also said that respect for the rule of law should be a key criteria in observing Croatia's compliance.
Adria given a week to present restructuring plan
LJUBLJANA - Adria Airways extended suspension of all its flights bar one daily to and from Frankfurt at least until Friday as the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) gave the German-owned carrier a week to submit a credible financial restructuring plan or else lose its operational licence. The restructuring plan must be supported by signed lease contracts for aircraft and an air operator's certificate, CAA director Rok Marolt said after meeting the Adria management. Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, who met the carrier's staff, repeated that solutions would be sought within a comprehensive restructuring.
Šarec highlights Slovenia's ambitious pursuit of 2030 Agenda goals
NEW YORK, US - PM Marjan Šarec addressed the first summit dedicated to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. He noted trends that present challenges, and Slovenia's ambitions pursuit of the agenda's goals. Šarec also attended the opening of the general debate of the 74th General Assembly session, the lunch hosted by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar attended a meeting of the Global Governance Group, saying that it was important the voice of small and medium-sized countries be heard.
Left proceeds with health insurance reform alone
LJUBLJANA - The Left tabled a legislative motion that would in effect abolish supplementary health insurance and replace it with a progressive levy, having failed to find common ground with the coalition parties despite weeks of talks. The motion, in the form of two bills, came despite pleas by the government that it needed more time to hash out the proposal considering its significant effect on public finances. Coalition partners also called for a joint approach to the issue.
Minister reports judge to anti-graft watchdog
LJUBLJANA - The newspaper Dnevnik reported that Justice Minister Andreja Katič had reported Maribor Labour Court president Stanko Omerzu to the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption for having employed at the court a daughter of a witness who testified in his favour in a case in which he stands accused of stalking his ex-lover. The Higher Labour and Social Court will also look into the matter. Omerzu had already been subject to a disciplinary procedure for obstructing justice, but was cleared.
Maribor chancellor urged to resign over suspicious payments
MARIBOR - The teachers' trade union SVIZ urged University of Maribor Chancellor Zdravko Kačič to consider resigning over the contentious payments at the university. The union blames Kačič for failing to immediately present all the facts to the public and notify the police of potential irregularities related to EUR 50 million being paid through works contracts. The trade union of university teachers VSS also demanded explanations. Kačič sees no reason to resign, asserting he was dealing with the situation.
Požar under scrutiny over campaign funding
LJUBLJANA - Bojan Požar, the editor of online tabloid Pozareport who formed a party in 2018, has come under fire over advertising contracts with several state-owned companies, raising concerns about illegal campaign funding. The 24ur.com news portal reported that Požar, who ran without any noteworthy success in both the 2018 general and local elections, received at least EUR 111,000 from Telekom Slovenije and motorway DARS in the election year alone. The Court of Audit indicated it would look into the matter.
Breakthrough innovations honoured
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) conferred awards for breakthrough innovations at the 17th Innovation Day. Pharma company Lek won two top awards, for a new procedure for the purification of biopharmaceuticals and a new generation of probiotics, while its rival, Krka, was honoured for an innovative generic drug. Other winners were caravan maker Adria Mobil, Domel, ETI Elektroelement, Mediainteractive, Titus Dekani and Lama Avtomatizacija.
Govt tax take rose by 7% last year
LJUBLJANA - General government receipts from taxes and social contributions increased for the fifth year running last year, by 7.2% to EUR 17.3 billion, fresh data from the Statistics Office show. Tax revenue rose by 7.4% to EUR 10.1 billion and the take from social contributions increased by 6.8% to EUR 7.2 billion in 2018. Corporate income tax increased the most, by as much as 16%, and personal income tax rose by 11.5%. Overall tax revenue represented 22% of GDP in 2018.
Laminated wood factory launched in Kočevje
KOČEVJE - The company Koles inaugurated a new facility to produce laminated wood from local timber in the Kočevje industrial park. The EUR 6.13 million investment is expected to create some 25 jobs to the area struggling with high unemployment. The entire production is automated, supervised and controlled, with the current annual capacity in two shifts estimated at 18,000 cubic metres of wood. A third shift is planned to be introduced eventually.
Writer Štefančič wins 2019 Rožanc Prize
LJUBLJANA - Author and TV moderator Marcel Štefančič Jr. was declared the winner of this year's Rožanc Prize for the best essay collection. On Saturday, he will receive the prize for his collection Ivan Cankar: Eseji o Največjem (Ivan Cankar: Essays About the Greatest) about the nation's most honoured writer. Štefančič says that Cankar had a supreme ability to paint stories and write down images.
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