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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:
Šarec says dialogue with Turkey a must as refugee crisis looms
SKOPJE, North Macedonia - In the wake of Turkey's threats to open the door to the EU to millions of refugees accommodated in its territory, Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Šarec said that dialogue with Ankara was a must. Speaking for the public TV station RTV Slovenija on Thursday as he visited North Macedonia, Šarec said he believed that the EU would still be able to find solutions to regulate migration in an effective way. Slovenia has called on Turkey to end the military operation, protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law, with the Foreign Ministry expressing deep concern over the operation.
EU was more dedicated to resolving economic than migration crisis, Pahor says
ATHENS, Greece - Slovenian President Borut Pahor attended a meeting of the Arraiolos group which focussed on solidarity in addressing internal and external security challenges plus the economic and refugee crises, as the key to a stronger EU. He said at the meeting, which featured heads of state of Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Portugal, the EU had been much more successful in addressing the economic crisis than it was now in addressing the migration crisis. He believes a coordinated and effective approach of the entire international community will be needed to address the refugee crisis.
Pahor and Mattarella to commemorate centenary of burning down of Trieste institution
ATHENS, Greece - President Borut Pahor met Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the sidelines of the Arraiolos meeting in Athens. The pair agreed they will together attend a ceremony marking 100 years since the Fascists burnt down Narodni Dom (National Home) in Trieste next year. They believe this will reaffirm the genuine friendship between the two neighbouring countries and nations, Pahor's office said. The Arraiolos meeting, also featuring the presidents of Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Germany, Poland and Portugal, is discussing the economic situation, migration crisis and the safety of the EU.
Japanese forwarder sets up subsidiary in Slovenia
KOPER - Yusen Logistics, a Japanese supply chain logistics company, opened its subsidiary in the port city of Koper, thus becoming the first Japanese freight forwarder in Slovenia. The launch is an important step for the Slovenian port operator Luka Koper as well since it promotes the transport route via Koper. Yusen Logistics, employing more than 24,000 workers and managing a global network of subsidiaries, has been so far providing services for Slovenia from their Budapest division.
Cerar calls for empowering youth through education
BARCELONA, Spain - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar called for empowering youth through education and intercultural dialogue at the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean in Barcelona, which was attended by foreign ministers of northern and southern Mediterranean. In his address at the plenary, Cerar said that Slovenia had contributed to the Union for the Mediterranean by initiating the Positive Agenda for the Young in the Mediterranean campaign, which encourages youth empowerment through education and intercultural dialogue.
More funds for defence, yet still not enough for breakthrough
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee discussed the state budgets for 2020 and 2021, when funds for the national defence system will nominally rise. In 2020, the Defence Ministry will get EUR 545.85 million and in 2021 EUR 561 million. The latter figure is nominally higher but not if measured as a share in GDP, Defence Minister Karl Erjavec told the MPs. Maj Gen Alenka Ermenc, chief of the general staff, said the funds would be enough to improve the army's readiness and consolidate the achieved level of development, but not "for the much needed development breakthrough".
SOVA says its boss will not resign
LJUBLJANA - Rajko Kozmelj, director of Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA, will not step down, SOVA said as it responded to yesterday's call by opposition SDS leader Janez Janša for Kozmelj to resign. The call came after SOVA refused to give the parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Commission certain information on its staffing practices, arguing it feared further leaks of classified information. SOVA said Kozmelj would continue to focus his efforts on "implementing the strategic goals of SOVA's development". It also said that under Slovenian law, its staffing practices can only be checked by the public administration inspection service.
SDS, NSi and SNS challenge wine, forest, park fines at top court
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Democrats (SDS), New Slovenia (NSi) and National Party (SNS) have asked the Constitutional Court to review fines set in the wine, forests and Triglav National Park (TNP) acts. The parties believe the fines are not only too high but also uncalled-for. The parties recalled a court ruling stating that over-the-top fines without a justifiable reason meant violating the principle of equality before the law, the SDS told the press.
Slovenia suffer setback in Euro 2020 qualifiers in Skopje
SKOPJE, North Macedonia - After scoring three wins in a row, the Slovenian men's national football team suffered a setback on its way to the final tournament as it lost 1:2 to North Macedonia in Skopje last evening. Slovenia will now have to go for a win against Austria in Ljubljana on Sunday to remain in play. Three matches to go in Group E of the qualifiers, Slovenia are tied with North Macedonia at eleven points, trailing Poland (16) and Austria (13).
Short-race cycling specialist Špilak announces retirement
LJUBLJANA - Simon Špilak, one of the most successful Slovenian cyclists, announced retirement from professional competition at the age of 33. His top results include two Tour de Suisse victories and one overall win at the Tour de Romandie. The member of the Swiss team Katusha-Alpecin, who is known for targeting one-week races rather than the three-week Grand Tour races, said the decision had been made "intuitively, from my gut, as they say".
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