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This summary is provided by the STA:
MPs pass stimulus package for tourism
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed an emergency bill worth EUR 243.5 million to help tourism and other sectors most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. The legislation also brings a series of measures to help companies in tourism, convention industry, restaurants, sports and culture. The short-time work scheme has been extended at least until the end of September with the possibility of extending it until the end of the year. New holiday vouchers have been introduced for a wide range of services, including accommodation facilities, restaurants, bookshops, theatres, concerts or various sports and other activities. The opposition warned that the measures came too late and were insufficient.
Ways to improve vaccine uptake discussed as govt meets local officials
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Government officials and health professionals called on mayors to help convince the people to get vaccinated, warning that the situation is serious, with infections on the rise again. Prime Minister Janez Janša said it was quite clear what lay ahead in the coming weeks and months if adequate vaccination was not achieved. If we do not seize the opportunity, we will also waste the chance to recover from the epidemic, said Janša, recalling that the economy was doing well at the moment and money for investments would be available. "But if we have to deal with lockdowns again, we will miss our chance," Janša added.
EU Commission upgrades Slovenia's GDP growth forecast to 5.7%
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission projects that Slovenia's economy will expand by 5.7% this year, a 0.8-point increase on its May forecast. The outlook for 2020 was slightly downgraded to 5%. The eurozone as a whole is expected to post growth rates of 4.8% and 4.5%, respectively. The Commission said Slovenia's recovery was buoyed by growing private spending, investments and exports, with merchandise exports already at pre-crisis levels. In general the impact of the pandemic is still cushioned by significant government measures in support of jobs and corporate liquidity.
NBI oversight reveals shortcomings, Minister Hojs calls for staff changes
LJUBLJANA - The Interior Ministry's oversight of police tasks and powers at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has revealed several shortcomings, including too long investigations and mistakes related to house searchers. Based on the report, Minister Aleš Hojs believes that "certain staff changes" should be made at the NBI. The report shows 95% of the detentions ordered during NBI-conducted house searches were disproportionate, Hojs told the press as he presented the report. As for lengthy investigations, he said they could "last for five years, while things are in the drawer for a year or more", which he labelled scandalous.
Article 7 hearings on Slovenian EU presidency agenda, says Logar
STRASBOURG, France - On behalf of the Council of the EU, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar told the European Parliament that hearings under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union regarding Poland and Hungary were on the agenda of Slovenia's EU presidency as many MEPs were critical of the stalling of sanctions procedures in question. Logar said that the Slovenian presidency attached great importance to respect for the rule of law and protection of basic rights. He also highlighted the joint responsibility for promoting common values, vowing that the Slovenian presidency would make use of tools at its disposal and promote a joint culture of the rule of law in the EU.
73 new coronavirus infections confirmed in Slovenia on Tuesday in new uptick, one death
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases rose to 73 in Slovenia on Tuesday in what is the highest number in almost three weeks. The 7-day average of new cases rose by four to 30 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents by one to 19, data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) show. A total of 2,104 PCR and 17,150 rapid tests were conducted yesterday. There are currently 52 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, including 10 in intensive care. One patient died on Tuesday, breaking a 12-day period with no deaths reported. More than 50 new infections have been traced to a senior trip to Lore de Mar, Spain, the NIJZ said.
Parliament passes bill on emergency measures in healthcare
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill on emergency measures in healthcare which the government had fast-tracked through parliament. The bill, worth EUR 66.6 million, introduces some temporary measures to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic while also seeking to cut long waiting times. The legislation provides a basis for extending several measures, including subsidies for workers in quarantine or in case of force majeure from 1 July until the end of 2021. It extends into 2022 a tender which also allows private doctors to help cut waiting times in the public system, which has earned it criticism of fostering privatisation.
Amendments to communicable diseases act passed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the communicable diseases act after the Constitutional Court declared parts of the act and by extension the measures introduced during the epidemic unconstitutional. The amended act determines that expert assessments are required for some measures, and that certain indicators must be taken into account when restrictions are adopted. It also introduces curbs on the duration and location of the measures. In case of restrictions that would strongly affect human rights and fundamental freedoms, there will be a special mechanism under which individual measures in place for more than 90 days can only be extended by the National Assembly.
Aid confirmed for farmers stricken by spring frost
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously endorsed a law on measures to help farmers affected by the spring frost. The legislation provides the basis for a final damage assessment and for emergency measures. The majority of deputy groups were in favour of making the aid available as soon as possible. The frost has caused exceptional damage to fruit and wine production. The law creates the legal basis for providing aid to affected agricultural holdings in the form of soft loans to finance running costs, a reduction or waiver of pension and disability insurance contributions, and a waiver of lease payments to the Farmland and Forest Fund.
Brijuni Declaration remembered as making Slovenia international subject
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor recalled the unity from 30 years ago as he hosted a ceremony in Ljubljana to mark three decades since the Brijuni Declaration, a document that ended the ten-day war for Slovenian independence, was adopted on 7 July 1991. Pahor believes the agreement was an important step towards Slovenia's international recognition, something the then president of the Slovenian presidency, Milan Kučan, and then Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel agreed with. Kučan said the Brijuni talks had asserted Slovenia as a European negotiator and international subject. Rupel focussed on the role of the declaration for Slovenian diplomatic service and shed light on diplomatic efforts.
Tonin visits Slovenian troops, NATO mission commanders in Latvia
RIGA, Latvia - Slovenian Defence Minister Matej Tonin visited the Slovenian soldiers serving in NATO's mission Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. Together with his Montenegrin and Macedonian counterparts, Olivera Injac and Radmila Šekerinska, he met the mission's senior officers at the Adazi base, where Slovenia's 9th contingent is serving, the Slovenian Defence Ministry said in a statement. They discussed the role of the countries in the mission. Tonin also met his Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks to discuss the security situation in the Baltic region and bilateral defence and military cooperation.
Govt discusses development projects, pay system with mayors
BRDO PRI KRANJU - Public sector pay system and regional development topped the agenda as Prime Minister Janez Janša hosted a working meeting with mayors, with ministers announcing more funds for school and sport infrastructure and for primary healthcare. Janša also announced that the government planned to visit all Slovenian regions in the coming six months despite the country's presiding the Council of the EU. He pinpointed the public sector pay system as one of the obstacles to development, with mayors agreeing that low wages at public institutions were a problem.
Migration and digital crime discussed in Portorož
PORTOROŽ - Informal meetings of the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) and the Council's Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security (COSI) started as part of Slovenia's EU presidency. The SCIFA meeting will focus on dossiers dealing with migration and border management. The COSI meeting will discuss ways to fight crime in the digital age and the influence of artificial intelligence on police work, Slovenian officials said.
Businesses warn another lockdown would be costly
LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) warned that a potential new lockdown would be prohibitively expensive for businesses and the state as it called on people to get vaccinated against coronavirus to prevent another shutdown of public life. The GZS estimates a new lockdown in autumn would result in a EUR 1.7 billion revenue shortfall for the corporate sector, wiping out EUR 400 million in value added and 2,500 jobs. Government support for the economy would cost EUR 800 million.
Europe Readr venue launched in Izola under Slovenian EU presidency
IZOLA - The coastal town of Izola now boasts a special place to read and reflect on a number of issues in its park near Izola Lighthouse. The art installation My Reading Room, which opened today, is Slovenia's contribution to Europe Readr, the international cultural project of the Slovenian EU presidency, the Foreign Ministry said. The Slovenian EU presidency has put books from all member states at the heart of public space, said State Secretary Gašper Dovžan at the opening ceremony. My Reading Room will be open every day between 10am and 6pm until the end of September.
Cigarette prices to rise by almost 5% in August
LJUBLJANA - The Finance Ministry proposed a rise in excise duties on cigarettes that comes with an average 5% increase for a pack of cigarettes. The rise, which is expected to take effect in August, is reckoned to bring in an additional EUR 18 million a year. Under the proposal, which will be discussed by the government at one of its forthcoming sessions, excise duty per 1,000 cigarettes will rise from EUR 120 to EUR 127. Taking into account the increase and VAT, the average price of a pack of cigarettes will stand at EUR 3.24 from 1 August.
