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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša: Post-Covid recovery and setting strategic goals key EU challenges
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The key challenges for the EU in the coming period are getting back on its feet after the Covid-19 pandemic and setting itself strategic goals, including expansion to the Western Balkans, PM Janez Janša said as he addressed Slovenian diplomats. EU enlargement is particularly important for Slovenia because of its proximity to the region, but it is also a strategic response to security challenges, Janša said. In the post-pandemic period, the EU will have to focus on "how to again put security and the unification of Europe, which will be at peace with itself, at the top of every agenda."
Reynders urges Slovenia to fulfil its obligations regarding delegated prosecutors
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - The European Commission is in contact with the Slovenian authorities for Slovenia to fulfil its obligations regarding the appointment of its European delegated prosecutors as soon as possible, European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said. "I have had many contacts with the Slovenian authorities at the level of the government to see if it would be possible to appoint the European delegated prosecutors," Reynders said as the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) was launched. He said they had not received a positive answer yet.
Prosecutors to propose bringing action against govt
LJUBLJANA - The Prosecution Council will propose that the State Attorneys Office file a lawsuit against the government for breach of law to the detriment of public interest after the government annulled the procedure to appoint Slovenia's two European delegated prosecutors (EDP), the chair of the Council Tamara Gregorčič said. The Council reiterated today that the procedure had been in line with regulations and the candidate picks had been based on expert assessment. All available legal remedies will be used, she said.
MPs reject motion for referendum on Demographic Fund
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly rejected in a 46:43 vote a proposal from the centre-left opposition for a consultative referendum on the government-sponsored bill on the national Demographic Fund. The opposition argued that the fund would not shore up the public pension fund as is its stated purpose, but give the government centralised control over ownership and management of state assets. The coalition argued the bill marks clear progress in the management of state assets and would shore up the underfunded pension system.
Parliament passes law on transportation platforms
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed in a 50:36 vote amendments to the act on road transport that create the legal basis for transportation platforms such as Uber or Lyft, changes that the government argues will facilitate the digitalisation of the transport sector. The proposal sets down that drivers using digital platforms would need to get a licence, just like regular taxi drivers, whereas taximeters would no longer be mandatory for taxi drivers, who would be allowed to use software instead.
Tonin says govt decree in the making to tackle STA situation
LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister and Deputy PM Matej Tonin told the commercial broadcaster POP TV on Monday that a government decree was in the making to tackle the situation regarding the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), which has not received state funding for its public service since the beginning of the year. "We've discussed just today that a special decree is in the making where we will solve the situation between the STA and the state," said Tonin without specifying further.
323 new cases, one Covid-19 death on Monday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 323 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, as the rolling seven-day average of new daily cases dropped by one to 275. A total of 3,378 PCR tests were performed for a positivity rate of 9.6%. One Covid-19 patient died, while hospitalisations dropped by 18 to 227, government data show. Overnight, 4,265 little Slovenian flags appeared in Ljubljana's Tivoli Park with a sign saying that they stand for Covid-19 fatalities. It is not clear who put them up.
Retrial in Janša journalists' defamation case starts
LJUBLJANA - A retrial started at the Celje District Court in which Prime Minister Janez Janša is accused of defaming two journalists, whom he called "washed up prostitutes". This comes after the court's suspended prison sentence for Janša was annulled on appeal. Janša reiterated his original defence that the accusations against him were absurd, and that the tweet from March 2016 was seen only by about 100 people. The journalists said they perceived it as an attack on their professional and personal integrity.
Top court annuls local decree renaming Tito Road
LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court annulled a decree whereby Tito Road in Radenci was renamed Road of Slovenian Independence in December 2020. The court argues that by promulgating the decree before a deadline for a potential referendum request expired, Mayor Roman Leljak acted unlawfully. The city council decided over a year ago to rename the street to no longer bear the name of Yugoslavia's communist leader Josip Broz - Tito, triggering a legal battle with the locals who opposed the move. They also challenged the decree renaming the street.
Presidents inaugurate Slovenian-Portuguese friendship bench
KRANJ - Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Portugal's Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa unveiled a friendship bench in front of Prešeren Theatre in Kranj, the latest in a series of such benches that Pahor has installed with foreign heads of state. The location was picked because the celebrated Slovenian Romantic poet France Prešeren, after whom the theatre is named, took inspiration for some of his sonnets from Luis Vaz de Camoes, who is considered Portugal's greatest poet, Pahor wrote on Twitter.
Diaspora minister visits Trieste
TRIESTE, Italy - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch visited Trieste on Monday for to meet Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, Slovenian municipal councillors and other representatives of the Slovenian community. The talks focussed on the restitution of National Hall (Narodni Dom) to the Slovenian community and on Slovenian schools and kindergartens. Jaklitsch thanked the Trieste mayor for his personal engagement in the return of National Hall, which he said would proceed as agreed by Slovenia and Italy last year, on the centenary since the hall was burnt down by the fascists.
Fundraising campaign for STA ending
LJUBLJANA - A month-long fundraising campaign by the Association of Slovenian Journalists (DNS), which has raised EUR 264,500 for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), is coming to a close. Donations via SMS are no longer possible, but if anyone wishes to donate, they could still do that by bank transfer until the end of June. The amount raised has exceeded expectations, the DNS said, thanking all those who have made a donation.
PEN writers to discus future of freedom
BLED - The 53rd International Writers' Meeting will open in the Alpine town of Bled on 9 June under the slogan The Future of Freedom, bringing together around 50 writers in-person and at least as many virtually. The meeting, organised by Slovenian PEN, will for the first time feature a walk for peace around Lake Bled. A reading of poems by late Slovenian poet Tomaž Šalamun (1941-2014) and a screening of a film on PEN International's centenary will be at the heart of the opening event.
Netrebko and Domingo to perform at Ljubljana Festival
LJUBLJANA - The 69th Ljubljana Festival, starting on 1 July, will feature international stars, including Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo and Martha Argerich, as well as Slovenian performers. The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, will perform on the opening night, paying a piece by Slovenian composer Marjan Kozina (1907-1966). A new composition by Vito Žuraj will be performed by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the closing event on 8 September.
Pandemic brings net loss for Goodyear Slovenija
KRANJ - Tyre maker Goodyear Slovenija last year generated EUR 195.01 million in net sales revenue, which is 13.7% less than in the year before. While the company posted a EUR 8.02 million net profit in 2019, it recorded a EUR 80,000 loss last year. The total number of produced tyres followed the trends in the European market, dropping by 15% to 5.99 million units, the company said.
BTC reports almost EUR 6m net profit for 2020
LJUBLJANA - The BTC group, the operator of Ljubljana's shopping and logistics hub BTC City, saw its net sales revenue drop by 7% last year to EUR 66.5 million, and net profit shrink by 19.5% to EUR 5.9 million as shopping malls were closed for six months. This was offset by the logistics segment, which exceeded the planned profit. The BTC group said the closure of its shopping malls at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic had cost it some EUR 6 million in revenue.
Slovenia's bathing waters among best in EU
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is among the eleven EU member states where all bathing water sites, on the coast and inland, are suitable for bathing, a report on European bathing water quality for 2020 shows. Presenting the report, Slovenia's Environment Agency (ARSO) said that 85% or 40 of a total of 47 bathing sites in Slovenia were excellent, 8.5% good, 6.4% satisfactory and none poor. First test results from this year indicate that bathing waters will also be very good this season.
New direct bus lines for Ljubljana hospital staff
LJUBLJANA - Employees of the UKC Ljubljana medical centre and the Institute of Oncology will now be able to use a direct bus link from two parking zones on the outskirts of the city. The two lines, operated by the Ljubljana public transport company, will take passengers directly from Stožice and Barje to the UKC and back. The EUR 1.20 fare also includes all-day parking. On 1 July, an electric vehicle will start driving around the hospital's campus free of charge for patients and staff.
