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This summary is provided by the STA:
FM Logar calls for EU unity on Middle East
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Foreign Minister Anže Logar called for EU unity and active engagement towards finding a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as he attended a virtual session of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council. A political solution based on negotiations is the only way to achieve just and lasting peace based on the two-state principle that would fulfil the legitimate expectations of Palestine and Israel, Logar was quoted as saying by the Foreign Ministry.
CO2 emission cuts, biodiversity in focus of Slovenian EU presidency's environment agenda
BRUSSELS, Belgium - A demanding legislative package to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and biodiversity will be at the core of Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the field of environment in the second half of 2021, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak said during. Biodiversity will be another key priority, and will be given roughly the same attention because it is an important topic for Slovenia. The main goal is to involve the protection of biodiversity in all policies.
Minister presents Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in education
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency to her EU counterparts. She said experience related to Covid-19 would be an important topic. Slovenia will strive for the young to be heard, for everyone to obtain quality education and for the European model of sports. A special debate is also envisaged on the experience related to Covid-19 and adoption of measures that would help bring life back to normal.
Simoniti talks Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in culture in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti met Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Youth Mariya Gabriel, as he was in Brussels to attend a session of the EU Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport and to present the priorities in the culture, media and audiovisual sectors during Slovenia's EU presidency. The innovative potential of culture and the competitiveness of European culture will be at the forefront of Slovenia's EU presidency alongside efforts to address the consequences of the pandemic in the culture and creative sectors.
Student self-testing to be launched next week
LJUBLJANA - Student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible. Student self-testing remains voluntary and will be conducted at home. Initially it had been planned that the self-testing would start in schools on 16 April, however the situation hit a standstill due to delays in testing kits deliveries, which then had to be certified by health authorities.
Almost 500 coronavirus new cases logged as hospitalisations drop below 400
LJUBLJANA - A further 497 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Monday and six patients with Covid-19 died as hospitalisations dropped below 400 for the first time in nearly seven months, official data show. Data released by the government show 4,232 PCR tests were performed, for a positivity rate of 11.7%. The latest daily case count marks a slight increase (1.4%) from Monday a week ago, but data from the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) show the 7-day average of new cases remains flat at 444. Hospitalisations were at 383, the lowest figure since 21 October.
Professional firefighters preparing for strike
LJUBLJANA - The trade union representing professional firefighters announced it was preparing for a strike after its calls for implementing the 2018 strike-averting agreement had been completely ignored by the government. "Despite several months of efforts to continue the implementation of strike-averting commitments with the new government after the previous stepped down, the talks have not even started as Defence Minister [Matej] Tonin has been ignoring us completely," the trade union said. Under the agreements, all operative firefighters should get higher wages. It was also agreed that the ministry would change the law on firefighting in the part dealing with a loyalty bonus.
Centre-left opposition still think they lack representation in working bodies
LJUBLJANA - After the unaffiliated MPs got 12 seats in parliamentary working bodies, the centre-left opposition still insist that the new breakdown of seats does not reflect the actual balance of power between the coalition and opposition, noting the opposition is still eight seats short. They propose proposed to parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič two possible approaches to ensure a fairer representation - either assigning additional eight seats to the centre-left opposition or coming up with a completely new structure in the working bodies.
NGO files criminal complaint against UKOM head over STA funding
LJUBLJANA - An NGO that offers legal support to individuals and organisations that find themselves in legal proceedings because of their non-violent public activity has filed a criminal complaint against the head of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) over suspension of funding to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA). The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy argues that UKOM head Uroš Urbanija has abused his office, crossed the boundaries of his official rights and failed to conduct his official duties, thus causing substantial damage to the STA.
Govt approves EUR 1 million incentive for Hisense TV plant
LJUBLJANA - The government approved the Chinese-owned group Hisense Europe Electronics EUR 1 million in non-refundable funds for its TV production plant at the existing Gorenje operation in Velenje. It included the project to expand TV production capacities in Velenje in the state budget plan of development programmes for the 2021-2024 period, approving up to EUR 997,734 as incentive for the initial investment. "The project crucially contributes to regional development through creation of new and preservation of existing jobs," the government said.
Triglav's group net profit up 18% in Q1
LJUBLJANA - Insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav saw group net profit rise by 18% in the first quarter to EUR 26.6 million as gross written revenue increased by 7% over the year before to almost EUR 372 million. Gross claims paid amounted to EUR 171.3 million, down by 4% year-on-year, as there were no major catastrophic events in the first three months of 2021. Assets managed in mutual funds and discretionary mandate assets increased by 13% to EUR 1.307 billion, the company said in an earnings release.
Church-state dialogue welcomed by both sides in a symposium
LJUBLJANA - National Council President Alojz Kovšca pointed in an online symposium on religious freedom to the importance of the state's role in promoting and protecting religious freedom, while Apostolic Nuncio Jean-Marie Speich recalled the role of Pope John Paul II in Slovenia's independence. Owing to the personal decision of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See was among the first to recognise Slovenia as an independent state, he said. Both welcomed this type of dialogue between church and state as they addressed the event as a prelude to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence.
Bee Family wins Mugerli EU Prize for Literature
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Anja Mugerli has been declared one of the 13 winners of the European Union Prize for Literature for 2021. The fourth Slovenian author to win the prize, Mugerli convinced the jurors with Čebelja Družina (Bee Family) a book of seven stories. The recurring theme of the seven stories is the old Slovenian customs and traditions that are put into a new context or into a new, contemporary time frame where they gain on a new role. The family features as a central theme.
Wastewater analysis shows drug use in Slovenian cities mostly below int average
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian cities are mostly below international average when it comes to the use of illicit drugs, with the exception of ecstasy levels in Ljubljana and amphetamine in Velenje, an international study based on waste water analysis for 2020 has shown. According to information provided by the Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS), which coordinates the study in Slovenia, Ljubljana recorded the highest levels of biomarkers of cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine in its wastewater, while Velenje had the highest level of traces of amphetamine among the six Slovenian towns included in the study.
