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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:
Mlinar named minister in charge of cohesion policy
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly voted 44:43 to appoint Angelika Mlinar, an ethnic Slovenian from Austria, minister without portfolio in charge of cohesion policy, as the government secured a slim minority after several days of uncertainty. Mlinar said the vote showed that "we want to overcome borders". The vote came after Prime Minister Marjan Šarec urged the National Assembly to discuss the nomination on substance, as he criticised committee debates earlier this week that focused on her nationality and origin.
Environment minister urges leniency in carnivore management
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Environment Minister Simon Zajc told an ministerial that EU rules should consider specific circumstances of individual EU countries regarding their large-carnivore management. He called for a more flexible approach in dealing with wolves and bears, in particular when the species are not threatened but are thriving, as is the case in Slovenia. He sees improved management or new EU legislation as possible ways forward.
Bratušek corruption allegation returns after two years
LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption issued an opinion finding Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek was in conflict of interest in 2014, when she nominated herself for EU commissioner. Bratušek said she would challenge the claim, just as she had successfully challenged a previous opinion, which was dismissed by courts on procedural grounds.
Cerar praising CEI role in enabling EU enlargement
ROME, Italy - Attending the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Rome, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar highlighted the role of the forum in enabling European integration processes and paving the way for potential new EU member states. Other participants urged support for the countries aspiring to join the bloc as well.
Govt adopts resolution on environmental protection, changes to water law
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a draft resolution on the national environment protection programme for 2020-2030. To implement the national programme, an estimated 47 to 53 million euro a year will be needed. The resolution sets down goals, guidelines and tasks related to environmental protection, nature preservation and water management. It also adopted a set of changes to the water law which makes it easier for the state to provide financial aid for emergency works in natural disasters.
New reading promotion strategy adopted
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a national strategy on the development of reading literacy that revolves around the promotion of reading literacy as an essential skill throughout all age periods. The goal is to achieve a degree of reading literacy that will "make it possible for every individual to optimally develop skills for active life and work," according to the Government Communications Office.
Pension fund will need EUR 680m from state budget in 2020
LJUBLJANA - The budget of the ZPIZ pension fund will stand at EUR 5.8 billion in 2020, but the state will have to chip in almost EUR 680 million to balance revenue and expenditure. Under ZPIZ's financial plan for next year, adopted by the fund's council on Thursday, 84.2% of all revenue or EUR 4.9 billion will go for pensions. Another EUR 145 million is planned to be spent on the annual holiday allowance for all pensions, up EUR 4.6 million from this year.
Archbishop Zore keen to resume talks with state
LJUBLJANA - Archbishop of Ljubljana Stanislav Zore would like the Catholic Church to settle practical matters with the state, so they do not change with every change of government. Talking with the STA, he also discussed the changing manifestation of faith, denationalisation, and the negative image of the Church in the media.
Slovenia-Croatia relations remain frozen
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian-Croatian relations have remained burdened by Croatia's refusal to implement the border arbitration award in the past year, a source of instability that Slovenia's former ambassador to the country says is rubbing off on the whole region. Speaking to the STA, Ambassador Vojko Volk attributed the responsibility for the state of affairs mainly to Croatia, which he says has been unable to tackle border issues with any of its neighbours.
Hisense exec says Gorenje important in plans to grow
TIANJIN, China - Hisense, a Chinese conglomerate with global presence, said its Slovenian company Gorenje played an important role in its plans to grow; the multinational would like to double its revenue from last year's 17 billion US dollars in five years' time. The group's success also depends on home appliances maker Gorenje, which it took over in 2018, Gorenje CEO Lan Lin told reporters at Hisense's seat in China's Qingdao.
NEK expects to exceed annual production plan by 1-2%
KRŠKO - The management of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) has announced that if the operation remains stable until the end of the year and barring security issues, the plant will exceed the planned annual production of 5.43 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity by one to two percent. The operation is stable and reliable, and the objective for 2020 is operation at full capacity throughout the entire year, NEK chairman Stane Rožman said at the traditional end-of-year press conference.
Active employment funds to increase by third in 2020
LJUBLJANA - The government decided to increase the funds for active employment policy by nearly a third. While EUR 64 million were available this year to encourage employment, EUR 92.8 million will be available in 2020. Some 38,400 people are to be included in the policy measures. While nearly EUR 32 million will come from Slovenia's budget, the rest will be covered by the European Social Fund.
New collective agreement ups holiday allowance in construction
LJUBLJANA - Construction companies and trade unions have signed an annex to the existing collective bargaining agreement, improving the position of workers, including through higher lunch compensation and a holiday bonus of at least EUR 1,000. Employers' representatives and the trade unionists said that compensation for work on remote locations has been increased by 5%, while lunch compensation was set at a minimum of EUR 5 a day.
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