Central bank expects economy to expand by 5.2% this year
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's central bank has markedly upgraded its economic growth forecast for the country since December and is now projecting the economy to expand by 5.2% this year, up 2.1 percentage points, followed by a 4.8% growth in 2022, up from 4.5% forecast in December. Further afield, Banka Slovenije has kept its projections unchanged, which means it still expects GDP growth to ease to 3.1% in 2023. Despite the upbeat forecast, Vice-Governor Jožef Bradeško highlighted the persistently demanding environment and great uncertainties.
Ljubljana Airport gets new passenger terminal
BRNIK - A new passenger terminal was inaugurated at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. The expansion brings 10,000 square metres of new surfaces, including more space for security checks and baggage handling, and more check-in points. The works on the new terminal started in July 2019. The construction cost EUR 17 million and the equipment another EUR 4 million. The new terminal will open on 1 July, just in time for the start of Slovenia's EU presidency.
Epidemic formally over, restrictions remain
LJUBLJANA - The Covid-19 epidemic, which was declared in Slovenia in October, has officially ended, but all existing restrictions remain in place. Although the state of the epidemic has not been extended, the same rules will continue to apply for entrance into bars and restaurants, attendance of cultural and sports events and in accommodation facilities, which means guests have to be either vaccinated, tested or have proof they have recovered from Covid-19. Health Minister Janez Poklukar urged yesterday everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
118 infections confirmed as 7-day average continued to drop
LJUBLJANA - A total of 2,643 PCR tests were performed in Slovenia on Tuesday for 118 new coronavirus infections to be confirmed, with the seven-day rolling average dropping from 132 to 113. The situation in hospitals also improved slightly, while one Covid-19 patient died. The test positivity rate for yesterday was 4.5%, a drop by 0.3 of a percentage point compared to Monday. A total of 121 Covid-19 patients were in Slovenian hospitals this morning, one fewer than on Tuesday, of whom 38 require intensive care, two fewer than yesterday.
Biden sends congratulations to Pahor ahead of Statehood Day
LJUBLJANA - US President Joe Biden has sent his congratulations ahead of Statehood Day to President Borut Pahor. He described Slovenia as an esteemed partner and friend of the US, and a leading promoter of regional security. He stressed the importance of the fact that the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence coincided with Slovenia's second stint at the helm of the Council of the EU, which he sees as a great opportunity for the country to contribute to the EU's resilience to health crises and cyber attacks.
Logar advocates for credible enlargement to W Balkans at GLOBSEC forum
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Foreign Minister Anže Logar argued for a credible continuation of the process to expand the EU to the Western Balkans as he took part in the Global Security Forum in Bratislava on Wednesday. Advancing the countries' sustainable development, stability and prosperity, such a process is directly in the interests of Slovenia and the whole EU, he said. Logar argued the EU should think geo-strategically and preserve and enhance a high level of trust for the Western Balkans.
College of Commissioners to visit for EU presidency kick-off on 1 July
LJUBLJANA - The government will host the College of European Commissioners, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the country takes over the rotating presidency of the EU on 1 July. A plenary session is planned along with bilateral meetings, with Prime Minister Janez Janša holding talks with von der Leyen and ministers meeting individual commissioners to discuss the programme and priorities of the Slovenian presidency.
Law professor Kukovec nominated for EU General Court
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor has nominated Damjan Kukovec, senior lecturer in law at Middlesex School of Law in London, for one of Slovenia's two judicial posts on the EU's General Court. Kukovec's was one of the eight applications in the open call. He was endorsed as the most suitable candidate by the Judicial Council. The government has not issued an opinion on any of the candidates. To be appointed, Kukovec needs to be endorsed by 46 MPs in Slovenia's 90-member legislature.
UKOM head urges STA director to stop pressuring public employees
LJUBLJANA - The head of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), Uroš Urbanija, urged the director of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Bojan Veselinovič, to stop violating personal rights and stop exercising pressure on the independent and professional work of public employees. Veselinovič sees this as additional pressure on the agency. Urbanija is the one exercising the most pressure on employees and the autonomy of journalists, he said.
Report: AIK to buy regional Sberbank branches, including Slovenian
LJUBLJANA - The business newspaper Finance reported that the Serbian AIK Banka is close to signing a deal to buy all of Russian Sberbank's operations in Southeast Europe, including those in Slovenia. A potential merger of Sberbank in Slovenia and Gorenjska Banka, which is owned by AIK, would create the third largest banking group in the country.
Illegal migration drops by a quarter in first five months y/y
LJUBLJANA - In the first five months of the year, the Slovenian police recorded 2,440 illegal crossings of the border, about 25% less than in the same period last year. The most frequently processed illegal migrants were Afghans, while there was a decrease in the number of Pakistanis and Moroccans. As noted by the police, lately there has been a marked increase in the number of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
Violent protester gets two years and eight months in prison y/y
LJUBLJANA - A 26-year-old man from Maribor who assaulted two police officers, two reporters and a photo journalist during a violent protest in Ljubljana last November has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Gregor Mitev, who had already signed a plea agreement in May, told the Ljubljana District Court today he regretted his actions, apologised to the victims and said he had committed the crimes while under the influence of alcohol.
Luka Dončić makes All-NBA First Team again
NEW YORK, US - Slovenian basketball superstar Luka Dončić has been selected to the All-NBA First Team alongside Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serb Nikola Jokić and Americans Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard in what is a second All-NBA First Team pick for the Slovenian in his three seasons in the NBA. Earning 55 votes, Dončić became the first NBA player since Tim Duncan (2000) to be selected for the First Team at least twice in his first three seasons.
