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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša tells diplomats debate about core Europe involves false dilemma
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša dismissed at the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats concerns Slovenia is drifting away from the EU's core countries, saying the "saga about a core Europe" was a false dilemma that testified a lack of confidence. However, Slovenia does not have an inferiority complex, added Janša. He said Slovenia was looking for various alliances in the EU, since the EU "is an alliance of compromises". Excluding certain alliances in advance would be imprudent, he argued. Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, Janša expressed hope a vaccine or cure would come soon.
Slovenian, French FMs discuss cooperation among respective EU presidencies
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Slovenian and French foreign ministers Anže Logar and Jean-Yves Le Drian coordinated the preparations of their two countries for their upcoming EU presidencies in the second half of 2021 and first half of 2022, respectively, as Le Drian was a guest at the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats, presenting a vision for a more confident EU. The foreign ministers underlined the importance of coordinated presidency programmes among incumbent Germany, as well as Portugal in the first half of 2021 and Slovenia after that. Le Drian said the conclusions adopted at the July EU Summit would have to be implemented by "us", the member states leading the EU Council after the summit.
Tusk says freedom and fundamental values cannot be negotiated
LJUBLJANA - Donald Tusk, the president of the European People's Party (EPP), visited Slovenia to honour the 20th anniversary of New Slovenia (NSi), underscoring that even though EU countries and EPP parties may pursue different interests, the EU's fundamental values such as freedom of speech, tolerance and the rule of law, were non-negotiable. Commenting on the developments in Poland and Hungary that prompted the European Commission's procedure over the allegations that the rule of law is at risk, Tusk insisted that when freedom was at stake, there was no room for negotiation.
Pahor, French minister warn against east-west divide in EU
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, with the pair calling for efforts to avoid a divide between east and west in the EU so that the Iron Curtain is not replaced by a Velvet Curtain. They agreed that the upcoming conference on the future of Europe should be used for an honest and strong debate on the joint European project - the project of peace and all-around development.
Janša, Le Drian discuss business cooperation
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the sidelines of the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats. The talks focussed on cooperation between Slovenia and France, especially in business. According to Janša's office, the prime minister also presented Slovenia's priorities for the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency in the second half of next year.
NSi celebrated as bridge between left and right
LJUBLJANA - The New Slovenia (NSi) marked its 20th anniversary with its head Matej Tonin labelling the party as a bridge between the left and right political poles. "I believe we can create a wave of cooperation together, which is to unite Slovenian politics," The president of the European People's Party (EPP) Donald Tusk said both Slovenia and Europe needed the NSi, a party choosing dialogue over confrontation, and bridges over walls.
47 new coronavirus cases in 1,733 tests in Slovenia on Thursday
LJUBLJANA - A record 1,733 tests conducted on Thursday confirmed 47 new Sars-CoV-2 infections in Slovenia, a slight drop on the 53 and 55 cases discovered on Wednesday and Tuesday. No new fatalities were reported, meaning the death toll remains at 134. The number of hospitalised patients decreased by two to 24, with three in intensive care. The total number of quarantine orders currently in force exceeds 9,000 and there are 505 active cases currently.
Minister Pivec and party colleague investigated by corruption watchdog
LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) named as suspects Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) president and Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec and her party colleague, Izola Mayor Danilo Markočič, in an investigation looking into alleged wrongdoing on Pivec's semi-official-semi-private trips to the coast and Kras. The names were released now, as both Pivec and Markočič have received mail informing them that they are being investigated, the KPK said.
NSi leader says DeSUS crisis not affecting govt
LJUBLJANA - The government has no problems as it has a majority in parliament, New Slovenia (NSi) leader Matej Tonin said as he commented on the leadership crisis in the fellow coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and a communication breakdown between the DeSUS leader and its MPs. However, there is now more focus on direct communication with DeSUS MPs, Tonin said, adding that DeSUS MPs seemed to support the government, so he would like it to stay that way.
Committee okays EUR 780m military investment in next six years
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee confirmed on Thursday evening a government-sponsored bill on investment in the Slovenian army for 2021-2027. The coalition MPs were inclined to the plan to modernise the army, while the opposition, in particular the Left, opposed the plan to spend EUR 780 million for the military.
Army chief of staff supports EUR 780m investment in military
LJUBLJANA - As debate on the government's plan to spend EUR 780 million for the military in the next six years is heating up, Brigadier General Robert Glavaš, the chief of the general staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF), has assessed that the planned investments are necessary for the existence of the SAF. Pointing out there was hardly any investment in the SAF in the last ten years, Glavaš said the army had its commitments to meet both at home and abroad, adding that the army needed the planned funds so it could implement the tasks it was required to by the law and constitution, and in line with the commitments to NATO.
Slovenia needs smart projects to use EU funds, debate hears
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will be eligible for large amounts of EU funds in the coming years, but it will have to do a good job conceiving and implementing development-oriented projects, participants in a video debate hosted by the European Parliament in Slovenia agreed. Economist Mojmir Mrak said that the amount of EU funds available to Slovenia in the coming years will be the largest ever, noting that a proportion will have to be drawn fast. "There isn't a lot of time," he noted, but emphasised the positive aspect of the government responding to the situation rapidly.
Hungary grants border opening appeals from Slovenian minority
SZENTGOTTHARD - The Hungarian authorities granted an appeal from the Slovenian ethnic minority to open another border crossing for the locals, re-opening the Ketvolgy/Verica-Čepinci crossing as of Saturday between 6am and 6pm. The Hungarian authorities also granted an appeal to reopen the border crossing with Austria at Alsószölnök, which is used by Slovenian daily migrant workers. It is expected to be opened on Saturday and stay opened between 7am and 7pm.
Builder Kolektor Koling secures another major deal in Croatia
RIJEKA, Croatia - Builder Kolektor Koling signed the latest in a series of high-value construction contract in Croatia, this time for a EUR 35 million reconstruction of transport surfaces and rails at the port of Rijeka. The Slovenian builder will renovate over 110,000 square metres of surfaces, 1,625 metres of crane tracks and over 12 kilometres of rail tracks along with several other essential infrastructure segments at the port.
Telekom Slovenije selling its media arm TS Media
LJUBLJANA - Telecoms incumbent Telekom Slovenije is selling TS Media, a subsidiary running several online businesses, including the popular siol.net news portal. TS Media had 55 employees at the end of 2019, and generated EUR 6.4 million in revenue and a loss of EUR 318,000.
Filmmaker Maja Weiss honoured at docu festival
MARIBOR - Slovenian screenwriter and director Maja Weiss is in the focus of this year's Docudoc, the 9th festival of documentary film, which opened tonight. She will receive the Documentary Name 2020 citation for her outstanding contribution to the development of Slovenian documentary film. "This is not an award just for me but for all who have worked with me making documentaries over the past 35 years," the film director wrote in her thank-you note.
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