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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:
Slovenian, Croatian presidents urge resolution of open issues
OTOČEC - Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Croatia's Zoran Milanović called for the resolution of all open bilateral issues as they met just over a week after Milanović was sworn in. They urged the governments of both countries to work towards excellent relations in all fields. Speaking to the press after their meeting in Otočec in south Slovenia, Pahor and Milanović said they touched on all open issues, including the border and Croatia's entry into the Schengen passport-free zone, agreeing they will not be resolved overnight.
Govt adopts measures in preparation for coronavirus, warns against panic
LJUBLJANA - The outgoing cabinet adopted measures to contain the new coronavirus in case it spreads to Slovenia. It released strategic commodity reserves to ensure enough protective gear but noted that borders with neighbouring countries remained open and that there was no reason for panic. Criticising checks conducted by Croatia on border crossings, PM Marjan Šarec said responsible action was needed as the side effects of the protective measures could be more harmful than the virus itself. No coronavirus infection has been recorded in Slovenia as yet.
Government adopts National Energy and Climate Plan
LJUBLJANA - The outgoing government adopted the National Energy and Climate Plan, a set of energy policy and climate change mitigation measures until 2030. It called the document "a key step towards a climate-neutral Slovenia until 2050". Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek said the goal was to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 36%, improve energy efficiency by at least 35% and have at least 27% of energy come from renewable sources. The plan was slightly altered after the draft was criticised by both NGOs and industry - the latter primarily lamented the absence of new hydro plants on the central Sava river and the final version now includes plans for further use of hydro energy.
Slovenia warns against two-tier EU in green transition
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Economy Ministry State Secretary Aleš Cantarutti, who attended a ministerial of the EU Competitiveness Council, called for an appropriate way of dealing with energy-intensive industry in the new EU industrial strategy, highlighting the importance of swift restructuring of those industrial branches, and cautioned against a two-tier Europe in the green transition.
Commission vote on EU court judge nominees postponed
LJUBLJANA - The Privileges and Credentials Commission postponed a vote on the nominees for judges at the EU's General Court in a development that could signal the lack of support for either of the two nominees for one of the available seats. Klemen Podobnik is the candidate for one of the two seats reserved for Slovenia, while Jure Vidmar and Nina Savin Bossière have been shortlisted for the second. While Podobnik seems to have enough support, the decision on the second spot could be influenced by the recent change in the constelation of the coalition.
Sava approves merger with hotel operator
LJUBLJANA - The shareholders of one of the biggest tourism companies in the country, Sava Turizem, approved the merger with Hoteli Bernardin. The merger is seen as big step in the setting up of the planned state-owned tourism holding. Hoteli Bernardin, 87% owned by Sava Turizem, will expectedly confirm the merger tomorrow, while today's decision will be challenged by the Association of Small Shareholders. In a related development, the state asset custodian SSH, a key owner of the Sava holding, brokered a deal with York Global Finance to buy the fund's 43% stake in Sava along with outstanding claims. Delo reported the deal was worth EUR 50 million.
Mlekarna Celeia reduced workforce by almost 10% last year
ARJA VAS - The dairy Mlekarna Celeia last year failed to extend fixed-term contracts to 12 employees and was also forced to lay off 11 workers on open-ended contracts as it is cutting costs as part of a business restructuring process. The cooperatives-owned dairy, based in Arja Vas near Celje, said job cuts had been made in various segments, ranging from administration to production. Mlekarna Celeia added that it currently employed 209 people, nine of whom would meet the conditions for retirement this year, and would not be replaced.
Zoran Mušič's Dachau drawings on show at Moderna
LJUBLJANA - Zoran Mušič's iconic drawings from the Dachau concentration camp, including some not yet exhibited in Slovenia, went on display at Moderna Galerija, the Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition Condemned to Hope - Drawings from Dachau brings together Mušič's Dachau sketches from Slovenia, those discovered in Italy in 2016 and a selection of his impressions on paper from the series We Are Not the Last from public and private collections in Slovenia and Italy.
Four cities remain in race for European Culture Capital 2025
LJUBLJANA - The cities of Nova Gorica, Ptuj, Ljubljana and Piran have made it into the second round of the competition for the title of the European Capital of Culture 2025, Cristina Farinha, the chairperson of the European Capitals of Culture Expert Panel announced. Two cities, Kranj and Lendava, were eliminated today. The final pick is to be announced in December.
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