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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša, Kurz advocate joint approach to coronavirus, migration
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for a joint approach to coronavirus and to illegal migration as they met in Ljubljana. They agreed a full lockdown should be avoided this autumn, with Kurz stressing that a "light at the end of the tunnel" could be seen. Turning to illegal migration, Janša called for a strengthening of border protection, a joint EU approach and assistance to the countries that could be hit the hardest. Janša and Kurz agreed protecting the external borders was essential for removing check points on internal borders. Kurz also met President Borut Pahor, who welcomed the Austrian government's plan to tackle issues of minorities. After talks, Janša and Kurz climbed the North Face of Mount Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak.
Monday's new Covid-19 infections at 42, no new fatalities
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 42 new coronavirus cases from 1,581 tests carried out on Monday, which brings the overall tally of cases since the first one was confirmed in early March to 3,232. 546 cases are active, according to the national tracker site covid-19.sledilnik.org. No new Covid-19-related fatalities were reported, leaving the national total at 135. The number of hospitalisations rose by two to 28; four persons are in intensive care.
Several LMŠ MPs ordered to quarantine
LJUBLJANA - Several MPs of the LMŠ party of the former Prime Minister Marjan Šarec are self-isolating after coming into a contact with a person who had tested positive for the new coronavirus. Šarec said four LMŠ MPs had been issued quarantine orders, with two more to follow precautionary measures recommended by the National Institute of Public Health. They will work from home and expect to be able to cast their vote remotely as parliament votes on an opposition-sponsored proposal to oust Interior Minister Aleš Hojs on Monday. Speaker Igor Zorčič will put the proposal for remote vote for the vote on Friday.
Italy increases military and police presence on Slovenia border
TRIESTE, Italy - The Trieste-based Slovenian newspaper Primorski Dnevnik reported that Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese announced that Italy would not close small border crossings on the border with Slovenia due to increased migration, but would bolster the presence of the military and police in the border area. Visiting Trieste, the minister also announced that mixed border patrols would be reintroduced. Joint Slovenian-Italian border police patrols were discontinued when the Covid-19 situation started to escalate.
Opposition to media law changes continues as public debate ends
LJUBLJANA - Despite the public consultation period on the government-proposed media reform having expired, debate continues, as the public broadcaster and other media and associations involved continue to protest against the amendments, as do most of the opposition parties. RTV Slovenija director general Igor Kadunc said the broadcaster stood to lose EUR 7.7 million a year directly as a result of the amendments along with almost EUR 10 million in lost revenue from its transmitting business.
EU Commission approves EUR 80 million for Koper-Divača track
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission gave its go-ahead for an investment worth EUR 80 million out of the cohesion fund to co-finance the new railway from Divača to Koper, which is valued at EUR 1.194 billion. The funds will be spent on building a tunnel and two viaducts on the track, which is to improve rail interconnection. "The new section is vital for managing the growing demand along the track and for linking the key corridor in the core network and maritime routes," said the Commission.
ECHR denies appeal in Roma drinking water case
LJUBLJANA - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) grand chamber dismissed on Monday an appeal lodged by two Roma families in June who alleged violations of basic human rights because of inadequate access to drinking water and sanitation. The ruling, quashing such allegations, is thus final, said the State Attorney's Office. In March, the court found that Slovenia had taken adequate steps to provide Roma settlements with drinking water, rejecting an application by the Roma families.
Pivec discusses fisheries with German, Portuguese counterparts
LJUBLJANA - Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec held an online discussion with the German and Portuguese ministers in charge of fisheries to exchange views on open issues and talk about the development of fisheries during the EU presidency of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia. Slovenia advocates a balanced approach to the interests of the industry on the one hand and small, traditional coastal fishing on the other, Pivec said. The trio expressed hope for a timely agreement in the Brexit negotiations, but said the EU must prepare measures in case no agreement is reached.
Vrtovec attends conference on EU maritime shipping industry
HAMBURG, Germany - Infrastructure Minister Minister Jernej Vrtovec supported proposed European Green Deal measures and said Slovenia was in favour of cutting CO2 emissions in maritime transport at EU and global levels as part of the International Maritime Organisation, as he attended a conference of EU transport ministers in Hamburg. He said greening the maritime shipping industry should go hand in hand with its digital transformation.
Slovenia secures EUR 78m in fresh short-term borrowing
LJUBLJANA - The treasury has auctioned off three- and six-month T-bills for a total of EUR 78 million in fresh borrowing with negative yield. The sum secured with three-month bills was above and that raised through six-month bills below the planned amount. The state had set out to issue a total of EUR 60 million worth of three- and six-month treasury bills, of which EUR 20 million in three-month bills.
Finance Committee backs 2% rise in pensions
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Finance Committee backed a proposal for a 2% rise in pensions in December regardless of the amount of GDP growth in the past year, which would come at the cost of EUR 94 million. The government has not yet taken a position on the proposal, which is sponsored by the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS), one of the junior coalition partners, however the proposal appears to have been agreed within the ruling coalition.
Slovenia, Austria working to manage border Mura river together
BAD RADKERSBURG, Austria - The Slovenian Environment Ministry and the Austrian Agriculture Ministry held the first Forum for the Mura in Bad Radkersburg, Austria, as part of the permanent Slovenian-Austrian commission for the border river. The head of the Slovenian delegation, Mitja Bricelj, said this was the first such forum in Europe. It is to hear proposals from people living along the Mura for improvements, especially in light of climate change, which affects water levels.
Gorenje posts EUR 55 million loss in 2019
LJUBLJANA - Gorenje Group generated a net loss of EUR 55.2 million last year, down from 2018's EUR 111.2 million. One-off events excluded, the group's loss amounted to EUR 37.3 million. Revenue meanwhile rose by 4% to EUR 1.23 billion, shows the group's annual report published on the website of the AJPES agency. The group said the loss was largely a result of poor performance in the first quarter of 2019, when the volume of sales was rather low. The group expects to post a profit this year.
Vilenica literary festival fusing on-site and virtual events
LJUBLJANA - The 35th international literary festival Vilenica got under way with an international comparative literature colloquium streamed online via Zoom and an on-site event in Ljubljana showcasing Vinko Möderndorfer, the Slovenian author in spotlight. Most of the events running until Sunday will be virtual due to coronavirus concerns and restrictions, with a total of five held in-person in Slovenia and Italy. The Vilenica Prize had been presented to Slovak poet Mila Haugova ahead of the festival.
Bach's Mass in B Minor to open Philharmonic's ambitious season
LJUBLJANA - Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor opened the new season of the Slovenian Philharmonic at Cankarjev Dom. Bach's magnificent composition was conducted by Englishman Stephen Layton, featuring English soloists Anna Dennis, Helen Charlston, Ruairi Bowen and Laurence Williams. This was the first in a series of concerts this year marking the 30th anniversary of the Slovenian Philharmonic's choir.
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