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This summary is provided by the STA:
Slovenia logs 304 coronavirus cases on Sunday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 304 coronavirus cases on Sunday from 3,831 tests in what was a continuation of a steady week-on-week decline and one of the lowest daily tallies since mid-October. An additional 12 Covid-19 patients died, official data showed. The PCR positivity rate stood at 15%. Hospitalisations increased by 15 to 946 on the day before, whereas the number of patients in intensive care was level at 160. The 7-day daily average of new cases decreased to 1,011, further nearing the threshold for additional easing of restrictions set at 1,000. Slovenia expects the next batch of the Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow when 17,500 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are scheduled to arrive, said the NIJZ.
Slovenia to reduce troop size in KFOR mission in Kosovo, Tonin says
PRISHTINA, Kosovo - Defence Minister Matej Tonin and Major General Robert Glavaš, the chief of the general staff, visited Slovenian troops that currently serve in the NATO KFOR mission in Kosovo. The pair met Major General Franco Federici, the KFOR commander. Tonin announced Slovenia will somewhat reduce the number of troops in the mission since a part of them will be moved to Bosnia-Herzegovina and other EU missions, read a press release by the Defence Ministry. "Despite that, KFOR will remain the most important and key mission for Slovenia," Tonin said. It is not yet clear how many of the Slovenian soldiers serving in KFOR will be relocated. Currently, there are slightly over 250 in Kosovo.
President calls for culture of dialogue on Culture Day
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor hosted the annual Culture Day reception in Presidential Palace, receiving this year's Prešeren Prize and Prešeren Fund Prize recipients. Pahor called for culture of dialogue, noting that politicians should be particularly aware of the importance of this concept due to their impact on public discourse. Author Feri Lainšček, one of the laureates, meanwhile highlighted the role Slovenian culture played in the country's independence efforts. Earlier, Pahor laid a wreath at the France Prešeren monument in central Ljubljana along with Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti. Slovenian Ambassador to Croatia Vojislav Šuc announced that Slovenia will put up a monument to honour Prešeren in Zagreb, Croatia's capital, in the summer.
On Culture Day PM says one would expect more constructive attitude from artists
LJUBLJANA - In his Culture Day address, Prime Minister Janez Janša said that culture was one of key foundations of Slovenia as a nation and independent country. Given the purpose of culture, one would expect a more constructive attitude from the cultural sphere as the current situation is too grave to respond to it by "street activism and threats", he said. Since the epidemic has raised important issues in culture as well, "perhaps it is now the time for culture to hold the mirror up to itself as well", he added. The address also noted that there will be opportunities to promote Slovenian culture during the country's EU presidency in the second half of this year.
Culture should not become collateral damage of epidemic, says speaker
LJUBLJANA - Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said in his Culture Day address that culture and art "are not and should not be considered a privilege, but above all they should not become the collateral damage of the epidemic". Everyone has an option to support artists, he added. "Almost 30 years ago we realised the hundred years-long dreams of our own country through indomitable will and pluck. These dreams were co-created by our intellectuals and cultural workers," he said.
UAE donates seven tonnes of supplies to Covid fight in Slovenia
BRNIK - The United Arab Emirates donated to Slovenia seven tonnes of personal protective equipment and coronavirus tests. Accepting the donation, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Stanislav Raščan highlighted good cooperation between the two countries and the role of solidarity in the joint fight against the pandemic. Emirati Ambassador to Slovenia Ibrahim Salem Mohammed Al Mashrekh said that the donation was a reflection of his country's commitment to the fight, expressing interest on behalf of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen ties between the two countries in all areas.
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