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This summary is provided by the STA:
V4 prime ministers endorse Slovenia's presidency priorities
LJUBLJANA - The prime ministers of Visegrad Group countries endorsed the priorities of the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU as they held talks with Prime Minister Janez Janša. The statement adopted at the recent summit of the Visegrad leaders "largely reflects our priorities and to a large extent the positions that Slovenia has about all these topical issues," Janša said. Since it joined the EU, Slovenia has often cooperated with the V4 countries and coordinated priorities. "I'm glad that we are doing it at a time when Slovenia has additional responsibility ... and the EU faces many challenges that require timely answers," according to Janša.
Justice Ministry publishes new call for delegated prosecutors
LJUBLJANA - The Justice Ministry published a new call for applications for two European delegated prosecutors after the previous was annulled. The government expects six names, three for each post. Mirjam Kline from the Association of State Prosecutors said there was no basis for a list with six candidates. The State Prosecutor's Council indicated it would not go along with the new call. The two candidates whose selection has been annulled will challenge the government decision in court.
Pahor calls for sustainable development at Three Seas Initiative summit
SOFIA, Bulgaria - President Borut Pahor said at a meeting of leaders from the Three Seas Initiative that the initiative could only be successful if it acted in line with the goals, priorities and policies of the EU. He said one strategic goal must always be pursued, and that is sustainable development. He said the initiative contributed to European cohesion, its stability and prosperity. It will also enhance our trans-Atlantic ties. The president welcomed the declaration the leaders adopted which endorses the Paris climate agreement.
EU ministerial says dialogue key to resilient labour markets
BRDO PRI KRANJU - To have resilient and inclusive labour markets, a regular and constructive dialogue with the civil society needs to be boosted, EU ministers in charge of employment and social policy concluded after a two-day informal meeting in Slovenia as part of the country's EU presidency. "Only in dialogue can we look for joint solutions for a resilient and inclusive Europe," Slovenian Minister Janez Cigler Kralj said.
Covid certificate mandatory for entering Slovenia as of 15 July
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will tighten rules on the border starting on 15 July, as the colour-coded lists of countries will be cast aside in favour of the requirement that passengers who wish to enter the country will need to have a Covid certificate. Passengers will need a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, a negative rapid antigen test no older than 48 hours, certificate of vaccination, or proof that they have recovered from Covid. The EU's green digital certificate will be accepted, as will the equivalent certificates of third countries.
Public Health Institute endorses vaccine mixing
LJUBLJANA - Slovenians who wish to mix different coronavirus vaccines will be allowed to do that under new guidance issued by the National Institute of Public Health. The general rule is that the same vaccine be used for both shots, but if individuals express the wish to mix vaccines, they can do it. A four-week gap between the two jabs is mandatory.
Week-on-week increase in Covid cases continues
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 82 new coronavirus cases for Thursday in 1,696 PCR tests and over 24,000 rapid tests in what continues to be an upward trend in infections week-on-week, show data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). There were no fatalities. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents rose by two to 22. The 7-day average of new cases has increased to 44.
Changes to audiovisual media services act confirmed
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed changes to the audiovisual media services act under which content providers will have to earmark 6% of their gross annual revenue to a special fund to finance European audiovisual production. It was originally proposed that the levy be set at 2%, but the coalition partners pushed through an amendment raising the share to 6%. The legislation has been met with criticism from content providers and the Association of Slovenian Journalists, which said the levy was too high.
Early referendum voting draws record number of voters to polls
LJUBLJANA - More than 84,000 voters, or 4.96% of the electorate, cast their votes in a three-day early voting on the new waters legislation, which the National Electoral Commission says is the highest turnout in any early referendum or early elections voting in Slovenia's history.
Report shows police handled 25 June protest in line with the law
LJUBLJANA - An investigation into the conduct of the police at the 25 June anti-government rally has found no fault in the decision of police officers to remove a far-right group, though several irregularities in the policing of the event have been detected, including a failure to respond to at least four cases of violations among the protesters, shows a report presented by Police Commissioner Anton Olaj.
MPs harassed by anti-maskers
LJUBLJANA - At least three MPs were harassed by what appear to have been anti-maskers after the National Assembly passed amendments to the infections diseases act on Wednesday. NSi deputies Jožef Horvat and Tadeja Šuštar, and SNS leader Zmago Jelinčič have reported being heckled and spat on. The incidents were debated by deputy group leaders, who agreed it was necessary to change security around the building.
Slovenian Digital Centre opens
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Digital Centre opened at the BTC City shopping district to promote digitalisation of businesses and Slovenian society. The centre will foster cooperation among Slovenian companies and other organisations and promote them abroad during Slovenia's EU presidency. 80 events are planned to promote some 200 companies during the coming six months, with business delegations to come from Slovakia, France, Hungary, Austria and Japan.
Warnings about corruption risk in mega rail project
LJUBLJANA - A task force keeping an eye on the construction of the new rail track between Divača and Koper has warned there are "significant corruption risks" in the project worth EUR 744 million VAT excluded, in particular with regard to the disposal of excavated material. "If you do not provide a detailed breakdown for EUR 50 million [for the removal of excavated materials], there is something wrong. We estimate this constitutes a very high corruption risk," said Emil Milan Pintar of the Project Council for Civilian Oversight.
EU Justice Scoreboard: Trust in Slovenian judiciary improving
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's judiciary is stable and the public's trust in it is improving, shows the EU's latest report on EU justice systems released on Thursday. The 2021 EU Justice Scoreboard focusses on digitalisation, where Slovenia placed 7th in digital options to initiate and follow proceedings in civil/commercial and administrative cases. After Slovenia placed 24th in terms of perception of independence of the judiciary in 2017, its standing has improved to 20th spot, the Supreme Court said.
Carthago planning expansion of production
ORMOŽ - The German motorhome maker Carthago, which has a large production location in Odranci in eastern Slovenia, plans to expand to nearby Ormož in the coming years. Under an agreement signed with the local community, Carthago plans to buy a 100,000 m2 plot of land in the Ormož industrial zone. Production is set to start in early 2023 and the company plans to employ 300-400 workers there initially, said Sandra Županec, the director of Carthago's Slovenian subsidiary.
May's exports of goods up by 31% year-on-year, imports by 52%
LJUBLJANA - In May, Slovenia exported EUR 3.2 billion worth of goods and imported EUR 3.4 billion. The value of exports was 31.2% higher than a year ago, while the value of imported goods increased by 51.6%. The value of imports was higher than that of exports for the second month in a row. The export/import coverage was 93.4% and the deficit amounted to EUR 200 million, according to data published by the Statistics Office.
Industrial output up 22% year-on-year in May
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian industrial output was up 22.1% in May over the year before on the back of a strong performance in manufacturing and exceeded the pre-crisis level, the latest Statistics Office data show. Manufacturing surged by over 24% on the year before, whereas electricity, water and steam supply posted a 1.2% gain and mining declined by 6.2%.
