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This summary is provided by the STA:
Croatia put on Slovenia's coronavirus red list as of Friday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia put Croatia on the red list of countries from which travellers must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine effective on Friday, but the government also put in place a number of exemptions to make sure trade, commerce and cross-border ties run smoothly. There are exemptions for daily and weekly cross-border commuters, persons who have health reasons to visit Croatia and several other groups, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said. There is also a special exemption for owners of boats and real estate in Croatia. They will be allowed to go to Croatia for 48 hours to sort out any errands concerning their property without having to quarantine on return.
New daily confirmed Sars-Cov-2 cases rise to 43 in Wednesday's testing
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 43 new confirmed Sars-Cov-2 infections in 1,168 tests on Thursday, a figure that had last been seen on 3 April and means a new record for the second wave which has seen a steady rise in the last 10 days. No Covid-19 patients died on Wednesday, which means the death total remains 129. Seventeen patients need hospital treatment, two are in intensive care. There have so far been 2,536 confirmed Sars-CoV-2 infections, with 313 active at present. The younger population continues to stand out among the cases discovered during the second wave. On Wednesday, 10 cases were in the 15-24 age group, 11 among 25 to 34-year-olds, seven among people aged 35-44, and four among 45-54-year-olds.
Govt demographic office set up, to be led by DeSUS minister
LJUBLJANA - The government established an office for demographic affairs, which will be up and running in 15 days. Led by a minister without portfolio from the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), the office will be headquartered in Maribor. Aleksandra Pivec, DeSUS leader, said that with the new office Slovenia was getting "a specialised institution to address demographic challenges". The establishment of the office also fulfils some of DeSUS's and the government coalition's strategic commitments, she stressed. The office "focusing on the consequences of ageing and on strengthening human resources at all levels" represents a strong expert-based and political platform for the field.
Supreme Court rules fast-track returns of migrants to Croatia legal
LJUBLJANA - In a landmark ruling for the rights of migrants entering Slovenia, the Supreme Court has overturned an Administrative Court ruling that allowed for no return of migrants to Croatia without a formal decision, the newspaper Dnevnik reported. The Supreme Court argues this is allowed under an agreement on fast-track returns signed by Slovenia and Croatia in 2006. Deciding in a case of a Moroccan migrant, the Administrative Court had ruled fast-track returns based on an inter-state agreement but without an issued decision and thus a chance for appeal violated European and Slovenian legislation and constitutionally secured rights.
Inspectors checking protection of classified information at NBI
LJUBLJANA - The Internal Affairs Inspectorate has launched a review of the protection and handling of classified information at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), weeks after a review of several closed cases had been ordered by the interior minister triggering accusations of political meddling in police work. The inspectors are checking whether NBI staff are handling and protecting classified information in line with the law on classified information and other regulations, the General Police Directorate told the STA. The confirmation comes after the portal 24ur.com reported that inspectors were not only checking the handling of classified information but looked for classified documents even though they are not allowed to check the content thereof.
New defence intelligence service boss appointed
LJUBLJANA - The head of the Defence Ministry's Intelligence and Security Service (OVS), Andrej Osolnik, was relieved of his duties and Jaroš Britovšek was appointed acting director general by the government. The government said in a press release that Osolnik asked to be relieved of his duties on 15 August, which Defence Minister Matej Tonin accepted. Osolnik handed in his resignation five months after being appointed for a full five-year term at the government's maiden session. Britovšek will take over as acting director general on 1 September. He will serve in this position until a full-fledged director general is appointed.
Government proposing e-tolling for cars
LJUBLJANA - The government amended the road tolling act to put in place a legal basis for an electronic tolling system for cars as of 1 December 2021. The Infrastructure Ministry said that e-tolling would be a fairer version of the current tolling system because subscription would be valid for a year, whereas the vignettes are only valid until 31 January of the following year. Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said that the new system would be based on the screening of licence plates. Motorway company DARS will be in charge of the system. Subscriptions purchase is to be possible via app, online or at gas stations.
Sava H1 revenue up by 16.6% to EUR 314.2m, net profit by 42% to EUR 32.2m
LJUBLJANA - The insurance group Sava generated EUR 314.2 million in operating revenue and a net profit of EUR 32.2 million in the first half of 2020, 16.6% and 42% increases year-on-year, respectively, shows the group's business report. The group's "operating revenue reached 51.5% of the original full-year 2020 target, and the net profit 71.5% of the original annual target", says the report. There was also a 2% drop in the group's non-Slovenian non-life premiums and operating revenues of assistance business also saw a decline. "Covid-19 had a major impact on the financial markets, eroding the value of assets under management in pension companies and in the fund management company," the report says.
Trimo sold to Irish building materials company Kingspan
TREBNJE - Polish private equity fund Innova Capital has sold the outright stake in Trimo, the Trebnje-based maker of prefabricated building components, to Irish concern Kingspan. No details are known yet about the deal which needs to get regulatory approval, probably in the last quarter of the year. Trimo said in the new ownership structure the company was to keep its development, decision-making and corporate brand independence. "We are happy that Trimo will continue to develop independently and promote its brand on the global market," said CEO Božo Černila. Trade unionist Peter Štrekelj said he was "happy that the new owner respects our independence and that no major changes are expected when it comes to employees".
GZS urges investments in six priority fields to boost economy
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has come up with a document proposing projects with which it believes Slovenia should give its economy a fresh impetus post-Covid, including by encouraging domestic consumption and infrastructure projects and by investing in digitalisation, R&D and smart specialisation. "It is of utmost importance for Slovenia's development how we support development projects which will have a long-term impact on sustainable business transformation and which will stimulate productivity growth," the GZS said asi it presented Fresh Economic Impetus for Slovenia 5.0, a document with six priorities to achieve economic revival and social progress.
Festival honouring Tartini's 250th death anniversary
PIRAN - The 19th Tartini Festival will get under way tonight as part of more than 60 events dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the death of Piran-born Italian Baroque composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770). The opening concert will be given at St George's Church in the coastal town of Piran by the Venice Baroque Orchestra and acclaimed violinist Giuliano Carmignola. The festival's series of 13 concerts connecting Piran and Koper will then wrap up in Ljubljana on 3 December at the Slovenian Philharmonic Hall.
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