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This summary is provided by the STA:
EU presidency priorities in focus as Janša visits Poland
WARSAW, Poland - Prime Minister Janez Janša met his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki during a visit to Warsaw, to discuss bilateral relations, the priorities of Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU and the future of Europe. In addressing reporters Janša highlighted boosting the bloc's resilience for health crises and cyber security as two key priorities of the presidency. He said Slovenia would like the conference on the future of Europe to involve "a discussion free from value monopolies". Janša invited Morawiecki to visit Slovenia.
EU issues, post-pandemic recovery to agenda as Greek president visits
LJUBLJANA - EU issues and the post-pandemic recovery dominated talks as Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou was received by Slovenian President Borut Pahor for the first official visit by a head of state since the start of the epidemic. Pahor said they both shared the conviction that the post-pandemic recovery needed to be leveraged to the maximum possible extent for a transition to sustainable development. The debate also revolved about Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency, with Sakellaropoulou praising the presidency priorities, in particular the tackling of the health crisis.
Commissioner Johansson, Minister Hojs discuss presidency tasks
LJUBLJANA - European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and Interior Minister Aleš Hojs discussed the priorities of Slovenia's upcoming EU presidency. They highlighted the new Schengen strategy, migration pact and the Western Balkans as some of the key areas of interest. Johansson said the new Schengen strategy would be "an important task for the Slovenian presidency" since it is important that Schengen be re-established as an area of security, freedom and justice. Hojs said Slovenia supported the expansion of the Schengen zone, in particular to Croatia.
Johansson hopeful STA financing to be resolved ahead of Slovenian presidency
LJUBLJANA - EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and Interior Minister Aleš Hojs broached the issue of media freedom in Slovenia and the financing of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) as they met in Ljubljana. The commissioner said the freedom and pluralism of media was a cornerstone for democracy, and played important part in the annual rule of law report. Hojs said media freedom "is absolute in Slovenia", while he also announced the business documents handed over by the STA today in a bid to save a hundred jobs would be "the basis to sign a new contract". Johansson hopes "these issues can be resolved ahead of the Slovenian presidency".
Govt plans to buy transport aircraft, two helicopters by 2023
LJUBLJANA - The government amended on Wednesday the medium-term defence programme until 2023 to adjust it to the latest priorities in development of military capabilities. Procedures to buy a tactical transport aircraft and two medium-sized transport helicopters are expected to be completed by then. The government said the "deterioration of the global security situation, increased participation of the Slovenian army in crisis response operations and their increased geographical remoteness, there is a greater need for own air transport capabilities".
Government adopts resolution on climate neutrality by 2050
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a resolution on Slovenia's long-term climate strategy until 2050 on Thursday in what Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak sees as an important symbolic act marking Earth Day. Slovenia's goal will be zero emissions by 2050 or climate neutrality. Under the strategy, Slovenia is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% by 2050 compared to 2005 and boost the implementation of the policies of adjusting to climate change and providing for climate safety of the people. Vizjak expects parliament to pass the resolution before the summer recess.
Johnson & Johnson jab recommended for over 18s
LJUBLJANA - The national advisory committee on immunisation recommended the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against Covid-19 for everyone over the age of 18, in line with the guidance issued by the European Medicines Agency. The same decision was taken for the AstraZeneca jab. Given the planned vaccine supplies, Slovenia expects to inoculate at least 50% of its population or 63% of its adult population by the end of June, said Milan Krek, the head of the National Institute of Public Health.
Chinese, Indian vaccines added to quarantine-free border pass
LJUBLJANA - The government decided on Wednesday to expand the exceptions for quarantine-free entry into Slovenia to people vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines produced in China and India. It also made several changes to border restrictions. Under the new rules, quarantine-free entry to Slovenia will be possible with a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours issued also in the UK or US, not only the EU or Schengen Area countries. The new decree will enter into force on Sunday.
Downward coronavirus trend continues
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases dropped to 745 in Slovenia on Wednesday, after 1,034 new cases were recorded a day before. Hospitalisations dropped from 631 to 620, while the number of patients in intensive care increased by one to 154. The rolling 7-day average dropped from 706 to 684. A total of 4,258 PCR test were conducted for a positivity rate of 17.5%. Eleven people died.
New stimulus package for tourism forthcoming
LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek announced the government would shortly unveil a new stimulus package tailored specifically to the tourism, hospitality and events industries. The legislation will involve an extension of the furlough subsidies, compensation of fixed costs and income support until the end of the year, with new measures added, including compensation for loss of income for tourism operators that have been shut down longest, Počivalšek told the management board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS).
IMAD: Recovery measures should be combined with structural reforms
LJUBLJANA - Measures designed to help the economy recover should be combined with structural reforms to make the Slovenian economy and society more resilient to future shocks, the government's macroeconomic think-tank said in its 2021 Development Report, which the government reviewed yesterday. The Covid pandemic-induced crisis suspended the multi-year economic growth and favourable labour market trends, while government measures significantly cushioned the negative impact on the economy and households, the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD) added.
Constitutional Court looks back on busy 2020
LJUBLJANA- Constitutional Court Rajko Knez presented the court's report for 2020 which shows 26% more cases had been resolved than the year before, while the growing trend of new cases was reversed even if the court received around 180 initiatives to assess epidemic-related restrictions. The court received 1,319 cases, down 17.5% over 2019. The figure however does not include class actions, which there were 570, almost a third of all new cases.
Petrol shareholders to get dividend of EUR 22 per share
LJUBLJANA - The annual general meeting of energy company Petrol decided to pay out a dividend of EUR 22 gross per share, as proposed by the management board, which is on a par with last year. EUR 45.22 million will thus be paid out in dividends out of a total of EUR 45.36 million in last year's distributable profit. Chairman Nada Drobne Popović told the AGM a damages suit had been filed against the former management over the purchase and recapitalisation of mBills and several other smaller companies.
Slovenska Potica protected at EU level
BRUSSELS - Slovenska Potica, a rich traditional cake made of special dough and usually walnut filling, has been protected with the traditional specialities guaranteed label, meaning the cakes sold under the name will need to be certified for their shape and recipe, while not geographically limited to Slovenia. Slovenska Potica can have five different traditional fillings and must be baked in a round baking pan to produce a hole in the middle. All producers will have to get a certificate, while others can continue selling potica as "potica" or "walnut potica".
Pošta Slovenija with EUR 5m in net profit
MARIBOR - National postal company Pošta Slovenije finished 2020 with EUR 5.2 million in net profit at group level, of which EUR 4.5 million was generated by the parent company. The unaudited figures show the group generated almost EUR 411 million in net sales revenue, 6% more than planned in the revised business plans. Revenue from mail delivery remained its strongest segment, accounting for 40% of all operating revenue. It was down 2% over 2019 but 4% more than planned.
Adient workers to receive higher than legal severance
SLOVENJ GRADEC - The workers of the Slovenian subsidiary of the US multinational Adient, which is closing down at the end of the year, will receive higher severance pay than set down by the law. Trade unions were happy with the outcome, but would not disclose the figure. The deal should allow all 430 employees to "somehow weather the financial problems they will be faced with when seeking new employment", union representatives Bojan Rošer and Jaka Šilak said in a joint statement.
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