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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša in EU Parliament: EU should start acting more strategically
STRASBOURG, France - PM Janez Janša said as he addressed the European Parliament that he believed the time had come for the EU to start acting more strategically, including in the Western Balkans. Presenting the Slovenian EU presidency's priorities, he said the first short-term priority was to do everything to prevent the fourth wave of the pandemic. Janša considers it key to convince people to get vaccinated. "Every citizens should do everything to stop the pandemic," he said, adding that ad hoc solutions should be replaced by sustainable structural measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile stressed the role of values and the rule of law. She said the July EU summit showed how central they were.
Slovenia highlights importance of European path for Albania, N Macedonia
STRASBOURG, France - Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed the importance of a breakthrough that would enable the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania as he presented the priorities of the Slovenian EU presidency to the European Parliament. He believes there is a possibility concrete steps will be taken in relation to North Macedonia and Albania ahead of an EU-Western Balkans summit that will be held in Slovenia in October. If the EU is not enlarging to the region, others, who do not contribute to stability, are, Janša reiterated.
MEPs convey stark message about rule of law in debate on EU presidency priorities
STRASBOURG, France - MEPs from the majority of political groups in the European Parliament sent PM Janez Janša some stark messages about the rule of law after he presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the Parliament. Most of the criticism centred on the non-appointment of European delegated prosecutors, media freedom and independent judiciary, while a lack of ambition in fighting climate change was also singled out. Janša's EPP too urged him to promptly appoint the two prosecutors.
Slovenian MEPs divided along party lines in reactions to Janša's address
STRASBOURG, France - MEPs from Slovenia were divided along partisan lines in their comments of the presentation of Slovenia's EU presidency priorities delivered by PM Janez Janša in the European Parliament. Romana Tomc (EPP/SDS) said she strongly believed the government would carry out the presidency successfully, while Tanja Fajon (S&D/SD) said that Slovenia's reputation had been undermined and that many people were wondering "about our values and European orientation".
Janša gives no comment on European political future of his party
STRASBOURG, France - Prime Minister Janez Janša did not wish to comment on the European political future of his Democrats (SDS) as he visited Strasbourg to address the European Parliament. Asked about the SDS's membership in the European People's Party (EPP), he said that his party was not dealing with such issues but was focused on current challenges. He said that the European political arena was dynamic and would change, adding that the next Parliament would be different as it had been after every EU election. "We'll see what happens," he said.
Vrtovec talks efforts to boost cross-border connectivity with EU and region's peers
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec hosted ministers in charge of transport from Slovenia's neighbouring countries and the Western Balkans to discuss efforts to improve cross-border connectivity between the EU and the region, with an emphasis on upgrading traffic infrastructure and border crossing management. Vrtovec said a proposal to adopt appropriate measures to boost connectivity would be presented to heads of state at an EU-Western Balkans summit that will be held in Slovenia in early October.
Easing of restrictions likely on hold as fears mount over delta-driven new wave
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar indicated Slovenia would put any further easing of restrictions on hold over concerns that the delta variant of the novel coronavirus could lead to a renewed surge in infections. Slovenia is entering a period when the easing of restrictions will likely stop and emphasis will be placed on implementation of the protocol under which those who have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered from coronavirus have access to certain services, he said. "The better we implement this protocol, the fewer other restrictions there will be."
Slovenia logs 48 new coronavirus infections for Monday
LJUBLJANA - Out of 1,695 PCR tests performed in Slovenia on Monday, 48 returned positive, according to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). The 7-day average of new cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents stand at 26 and 18, respectively. Hospitals are still treating 59 Covid-19 patients, one more than yesterday, including 15 in intensive care, which is one fewer than the day before, according to data from the Covid-19 tracker site Sledilnik.
Allegations of voter suppression as referendum voting starts
LJUBLJANA - Proponents of the referendum on the waters act have sharply criticised the organisation of the voting, alleging voter suppression regarding information on how and where people can vote early and polling station staffing. There were reports of long waiting lines in Ljubljana, where there was just one polling station for early voting, and confusion in Maribor, where there were seven instead of one. "We are faced with inadmissible curtailing of voting rights," Aljoša Petek of the Legal Information Centre said.
Hojs: Police ordered Yellow Jackets removal before call from protest organisers
LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs told MPs on Monday that he was not familiar with the police report on the 25 June rally of anti-government protestors in Ljubljana. But from what he has heard, he believes police ordered action against a Yellow Jackets group a few seconds before the protest's organisers had urged them to remove the group from the event.
Traffic steadily picking up at Ljubljana Airport
BRNIK - The Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport has seen traffic tick up at the start of the summer tourism season. Scheduled flights to eleven destinations and charter flights to twenty destinations are currently available, with 2,000-2,500 passengers passing through the airport daily. Janez Krašnja, head of airline management at airport operator Fraport Slovenija, said six more destinations would be added in the coming months. "Barring any fundamental changes in the epidemiological situation, we will have 17 scheduled lines this summer, which is a good achievement for the first year of recovery."
Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates 170 years
DOB - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) marked its 170th anniversary on Tuesday as it received a Golden Order of Merit from President Borut Pahor for the promotion of Slovenian business at home and abroad. The chamber also conferred awards for exceptional business achievements. The recipients are Zdenko Zanoški, the director of flavourings maker Frutarom Etol, Marta Klevišar, the director of mobile home maker Adria Dom, Marko Lukić, the director of pre-fab house maker Lumar IG, and Jasna Dominko Baloh, the director of the private educational institution DOBA Fakulteta.
