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This summary is provided by the STA:
Pahor and Steinmeier for a strong & united EU
BERLIN, Germany - President Borut Pahor and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a strong and united EU as they held a working meeting. Pahor said Slovenia wanted to remain part of the core EU countries while Steinmeier pointed to the union's common future. The presidents had a long, in-depth and friendly conversation focussing on the EU's future and ways of ensuring its unity, opening a number of topics, Pahor's office said. They shared the belief that the debate on the EU's future should be intensified and should address common European values and a vision of ever stronger integration.
Military taking additional measures to help police guard border
LJUBLJANA - The defence and interior ministries agreed to boost cooperation in guarding the state border. The Defence Ministry said it will tweak the rules and prepare four levels of deployment in line with provisions of the defence act which enable SAF members to help the police patrol the border without having any police powers. The green level will signal the deployment of 150 soldiers along the border, the yellow level 400, the orange level 800 and the red level will mean 2,000 soldiers are to be deployed, reads the ministry's press release.
Police presence beefed up in Roma settlements
LJUBLJANA - Novo Mesto police have recently intensified their presence and preventive activity in areas Dolenjska populated by the Roma community in a bid to prevent high rates of violence and crime. "I feel something positive is happening in the Novo Mesto Police Department area," Interior Ministry State Secretary Anton Olaj told the press after the first meeting of a new task force for Roma issues that he chairs. But he also warned that police were facing staff shortages, including due to increased presence on the border with Croatia.
Unions fear long-term care bill will lead to privatisation
LJUBLJANA - ZSSS, the largest confederation of trade unions in Slovenia, expressed criticism of several parts of the government-proposed bill on long-term care and is concerned that it "opens the door wide to pure private practice". Lidija Jerkič, the president of the ZSSS trade union confederation, said that while a long-term care bill was needed immediately, "this does not mean we need it at any cost." ZSSS said it was problematic that the standard package of services is not defined, so it is unclear what services would be covered from the mandatory insurance contribution.
Slovenia supports Germany's model of European Peace Facility
BERLIN, Germany - Defence Minister Matej Tonin backed at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers Germany's idea for a two-pillar European Peace Facility. In line with the proposal, the financing of operations and missions would be separated from support measures. The efficiency of training missions would also be boosted through closer cooperation with international organisations such as NATO, the UN and the African Union, the Defence Ministry said in today's press release.
Luka Koper to pay out EUR 15m in dividends
KOPER - The shareholders of port operator Luka Koper will get EUR 1.07 gross a share in dividends, the company's AGM decided. In total, EUR 14.98 million will be paid out, while EUR 15 million in profit will remain undistributed. While the management wanted a smaller sum to be paid out, EUR 12.88 million or EUR 0.92 gross a share, the AGM confirmed a counter proposal filed by the Sovereign Holding (SSH).
Cinkarna Celje H1 revenue down by 4% to EUR 88.7m, net profit by 21% to EUR 9.9m
CELJE - Cinkarna Celje, the Celje-based chemical company, saw its net profit plummet by 21% in the first half of the year to EUR 9.9 million while revenue was down 4% to EUR 88.7 million. Operating revenue decreased by 22% year-on-year, show the company's unaudited results. Cinkarna explained that it changed is valuation system for stocks of finished products this year. This boosted net profit in the first half by 2.35 million.
Sava Re intends to pay out dividends
LJUBLJANA - Insurer Sava Re will notify the Insurance Supervision Agency of its plan to pay out dividends for 2019 this year. If the regulator has no objections, Sava Re will call an AGM to decide on the dividend payment. The development comes after the insurance sector was recommended not to pay out dividends due to Covid-19 uncertainties. Sava Re said it would provide strong arguments for its decision.
Most tourism vouchers by far redeemed in hotels
LJUBLJANA - Since tourism vouchers became valid on 19 June, by far the biggest number has been redeemed in hotels, followed by apartments, apartment complexes and camps, show data from the Financial Administration (FURS). So far, a total of 511,554 Slovenian residents have used their vouchers, which is 25% of all beneficiaries. The data for until 23 August shows that a total of 204,010 vouchers were used in hotels, in the total value of EUR 31.1 million, which is 43% of all used vouchers and 47.8% of the entire value spent.
Boris Pahor, fighter against totalitarianisms, turns 107
TRIESTE, Italy/LJUBLJANA - Boris Pahor, an acclaimed Slovenian writer from Italy's Trieste, a Nazi camp survivor and an outspoken fighter against all totalitarianisms, turned 107 today. While only last year he still attended a special event celebrating his birthday, an online event will be organised this year due to his health concerns. In a video posted by the Ljubljana-based publisher Mladinska Knjiga, Pahor points to the three main postulates for the 21st century - freedom, justice and truth.
Medieval town listening to poetry in dark over wine
PTUJ - The 24th Days of Poetry and Wine festival will start in Ptuj featuring more than 30 poets, including this year's guests of honour Scottish poet and novelist John Burnside and Italian poet Patrizia Cavalli. The festival's Open Letter to Europe will be penned by Hungarian author Krisztina Tóth. Apart from the main venue, the oldest Slovenian town, events will take place until Sunday in various other towns and cities across Slovenia.
Dance festival deems art vaccine for maintaining humanity
MURSKA SOBOTA - The 15th Front@ contemporary dance festival got under way in Murska Sobota highlighting that art is a vaccine for preserving humanity. Matjaž Farič, the festival's head, has said that art and culture help maintain some kind of normalcy in our lives, pointing out that digital technology cannot replace the value of live events. The events, running until Friday, will heed public health precautions, but they will raise awareness not merely abut the importance of physical health, but mental health as well.
Celje in Europa League qualifying after defeat against Molde
CELJE - Slovenian football champions Celje will seek their fortunes in the second-tier Europa League after they lost 1:2 to four-time Norwegian champions Molde in the second round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. Mitja Lotrič scored the only goal for the home side.
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