Fajon not in favour of ban on Russian tourists
ALPBACH, Austria - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is not in favour of the initiative that the EU should stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, telling the Alpbach Forum that the measure would also hurt those who oppose President Vladimir Putin's policies and would like to leave the country. The minister took part in a panel debate on the EU's political awakening, which discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the threat of energy and food crisis in Europe. Fajon again condemned Russia's aggression and appealed for the war to end as soon as possible.
Slovenia congratulates Ukraine on Independence Day
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob congratulated Ukraine, as the country observed Independence Day. In a tweet, the government cited Golob as saying that Slovenia remained a dedicated partner on Ukraine's path to recovery, wishing the country to become stronger, better and more resilient. The Foreign Ministry also extended congratulations to Ukraine. To mark the occasion, Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovenia Andrij Taran brought together fellow ambassadors in Ljubljana to unfurl a giant Ukrainian flag in the courtyard of Ljubljana castle. The Ukrainian community celebrated with events in Ljubljana and Ankaran.
Govt to intervene as it identifies disruptions in healthcare
LJUBLJANA - After examining relevant reports and data, the government announced that it would itself determine the content of the programmes of services covered by compulsory health insurance as it has established "serious disruptions that undermine the stability of the healthcare system". The decision comes after the government discussed a report on the financial operations of healthcare institutions in the first half of the year, waiting times, accessibility of primary care and the overall state of health of the population.
Small businesses say high energy bills threatening their existence
LJUBLJANA - A survey conducted by the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS) among its members has shown high energy costs are threatening the existence of one out of three businesses surveyed. As the situation is to worsen further, the chamber urged the government to set out measures to help the economy in 2023 as soon as possible. The survey conducted among 820 entrepreneurs members of the OZS in recent weeks showed that three out of four expect the high energy costs will slash their profits and 32% said the existence of their business was under threat.
Scientists speak out against Mokrice hydropower project
LJUBLJANA - More than 50 scientists have made an appeal to the government to annul the decision by its predecessor that the public interest of producing renewable energy overrides the public interest of nature conservation in the Mokrice hydropower station project. "We ask for a professionally and legally consistent reconsideration of the (un)reasonableness of encroaching on nature at the confluence of the Sava, Krka and Sotla rivers," reads the appeal, signed by representatives of natural sciences, including biochemist Tamara Lah Turnšek and researchers Darja Stanič and Al Vrezec.
RTV Slovenija employees call for dismissal of Urbanija
LJUBLJANA - The trade unions of RTV Slovenija and TV Slovenija have called on general director of the public broadcaster Andrej Grah Whatmough to dismiss the recently appointed director of TV Slovenija Uroš Urbanija over pressure and threats targetting evening news anchor Saša Krajnc and editor Vesna Pfeiffer. The two unions said that Urbanija had unlawfully bullied and threatened Kranjc and Pfeiffer with disciplinary action.
Christians offended by Mladina cover
LJUBLJANA - Brezje, Slovenia's main pilgrimage site, has responded to the latest cover of the weekly Mladina depicting an altered image of the 1817 painting of Mary and Jesus that is cherished in Brezje (NW). The head of the pilgrimage site, Robert Bahčič, said this was an "inadmissible insult of religious feelings of Christian believers". The 200-year-old painting Mary Help of Christians by Leopold Layer has been a symbol of profound religion of Slovenians for years, offering consolation and hope to Brezje pilgrims, Bahčič said in a press release, noting it was inadmissible to alter the famous art work.
Nearly 1,600 Covid cases confirmed on Tuesday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 1,592 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday as hospitalisations remained stable, shows fresh data from the Health Ministry. Another four Covid-19 patients died. The 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 of the population went down by four in a day to 874 and the 7-day case average dropped by 139 to 1,369, data from the National Institute of Public Health shows.
Bulk buy of medicines falls through a third time
LJUBLJANA - The National Review Commission has fully annulled a call to procure prescription drugs that was published in March by the Slovenian Pharmacy Chamber on behalf of 14 pharmacies. It is the third such bulk buy of medicines that has been annulled. A review was requested by the Competition Protection Agency (AVK) as an advocate of public interest, one of the charges against the Pharmacy Chamber being infringements of the principles of competition between bidders and the principles of economics, efficiency and effectiveness.
Minister meets Slovenian agricultural officials from four countries
GORNJA RADGONA - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon met representatives of Slovenian agricultural organisations from Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia at the Agra agricultural fair in Gornja Radgona. He stressed the importance of such cooperation, which he said could be extended to other fields, especially business. The meeting with representatives of Agraslomak, which has been successfully connecting Slovenian farmers in four counties for a decade, was also attended by Agriculture Minister Irena Šinko, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad said.
Conventa focusing on transformation of conference tourism
LJUBLJANA - This year's Conventa, a two-day business-to-business event for conference tourism starting today and featuring 93 exhibitors from 17 countries and 114 foreign and 32 guests from Slovenia, is focusing on the sustainable transformation of the industry. Gorazd Čad, Conventa co-founder, noted at today's press conference the event would be combined with the Conventa Crossover conference for a second year in a row. He said that the gist of the conference would be business-to-business meetings, with more than 2,200 such events expected to take place in the two days.
SPIRIT subsidising 15 business clubs abroad
LJUBLJANA - SPIRIT Slovenija, the public entrepreneurship, internationalisation and foreign investment promotion agency, is subsidising the work of 15 Slovenian business clubs abroad this year. The clubs help Slovenian companies to expand abroad and attract foreign investors to Slovenia. The clubs are located in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Canada, Kosovo, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Tunisia, Zambia and the US, SPIRIT announced.
Roglič loses red jersey at La Vuelta
BILBAO, Spain - Slovenian cyclist Primož Roglič of team Jumbo Visma lost the red jersey at the La Vuelta to Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ. Roglič crossed the finish line of the fifth stage of the Spanish Grand Tour in 23rd place, sliding to place five in overall standings. He was five minutes and nine seconds slower than the stage winner Marco Soler of UAE.
Slovenia co-hosting Volleyball Men's World Championship
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and Poland will co-host the Volleyball Men's World Championship, which will start on Friday and run until 11 September in what will be the second appearance for Slovenia on the world stage. Slovenia hope for a good result after finishing 10th in the Nations League and replacing the head coach right ahead of the tournament. The championship was originally planned to be held in Russia, but that changed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
