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This summary is provided by the STA:
Epidemic-related movement restrictions declared unconstitutional
LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court declared provisions of the communicable diseases act allowing the government to restrict movement and public assembly unconstitutional, and annulled the government decrees that were based on this law. The decision means all government decrees that restricted the movement of citizens such as the night curfew, ban on assembly, confining citizens to their regions or municipalities during the epidemic were unconstitutional. The National Assembly has two months to change the law. While the opposition said the decision meant the government had acted unlawfully, government officials pointed out the law was passed in 1995.
Government adopts EU presidency programme
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted the programme of Slovenia's presidency of the EU covering four priority areas. In the segment resilience and recovery, the key priority will be strengthening the Union's resilience to crises. The priority rule of law involves dialogue "steered in the direction that connects member states into a community of European values". In the segment credible and safe EU, the chief priorities in external relations will be strengthening Transatlantic relations and supporting Western Balkans countries. As for the Conference on the Future of Europe, the government says the aim is to conduct a debate that includes EU institutions as well as national parliaments and other stakeholders.
Negative rapid test sufficient to enter Slovenia as of Monday
LJUBLJANA - The government has changed the decree on the conditions for entering Slovenia to recognise a negative rapid antigen test in addition to a negative PCR test. The change enters into force on 5 June and is valid until 13 June. Some measures in the services sector have also been relaxed. Most notably, accommodation providers will be able to fill more of their capacity, swimming pools will be available at up to 75% of capacity for visitors with a covid certificate, and the ban on consuming food and drink at the takeaway points has been lifted. In Shopping centres, one shopper per 10 m2 will be allowed, down from 20 at the present.
Hungary lends 300,000 AstraZeneca shots to Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia received 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 on loan from Hungary in what Prime Minister Janez Janša said would allow Slovenia to stop the epidemic and enjoy a relaxed summer. Health Minister Janez Poklukar said Slovenia would return vaccines to Hungary expectedly in the autumn or by the end of the year. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that vaccination was a solution, as the pandemic was taking its toll on the economy and and all countries.
Brussels advises Slovenia to focus on quality of budget measures
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission urged Slovenia to pay special attention to the structure of public finances and quality of budget measures as it releasing the European semester spring package. It recommends that the country strive for medium-term fiscal sustainability when the economic situation allows for that, and boost investments in efforts to promote growth, particularly those supporting the green and digital transitions.
Hojs discusses EU presidency with Czech, Slovak counterparts
PRAGUE, Czechia/ BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs met with his Czech counterpart Jan Hamáček and his Slovak counterpart Roman Mikulec in Bratislava as part of preparations for the upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU. The talks focused on the presidency priorities in the field of internal affairs. Hojs had told his counterparts that one of the issues Slovenia would focus on was looking for appropriate solutions in the negotiations on legislative acts as part of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Another point is strengthening the Schengen zone.
Logar talks bilateral cooperation with Liechtenstein colleague
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar talked on the phone with Liechtenstein Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Sport Dominique Hasler. Bilateral cooperation, the upcoming Slovenian presidency of the EU and the Covid-19 pandemic topped the agenda. Logar and Hasler agreed that the countries cooperated well bilaterally and multi-laterally, where they shared similar views on human rights, the rule of law, gender equality and effective multilateralism.
Coronavirus remains in slow retreat
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 374 coronavirus cases for Tuesday as the rolling 7-day average case count dropped by two to 273. Four patients with Covid-19 died, the government has announced. The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals dropped to 214 this morning after 24 were discharged yesterday, while 62, or five fewer than yesterday, were in intensive care.
Bioeconomy in focus of 17+1 ministerial
LJUBLJANA - Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Jože Podgoršek took part in a virtual ministerial of the initiative for cooperation between China and Central and East European countries (17+1) focusing on forestry and its role in bioeconomy. He Podgoršek pledged Slovenia's commitment to "close cooperation with all partners in the initiative in a bid to address shared interests and attain the main goals".
Concern voiced by opposition over proposed tax reform
LJUBLJANA - The opposition-controlled Commission for Oversight of Public Finances debated the impact of the proposed tax reform on public finances, with one of the adopted conclusions assessing the reform as an inappropriate fiscal response to the current crisis. The session had been called by the Left, which strongly opposes the package of tax laws. Davorin Kračun, the president of the Fiscal Council, noted that the extensive tax breaks had not been explicitly mentioned, and probably not taken into account, in the budgetary plans until 2024.
Another US donation to help Slovenia in fight against Covid-19
LJUBLJANA - The United States made another donation to Slovenia to help it contain the Covid-19 epidemic, a EUR 270,000-worth shipment of containers delivered to the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. The donation includes 15 living containers, four containers with sanitary facilities and a refrigerated container for the storage of bodies.
Oath of first conscripts remembered
IG - The day 30 years ago when 270 conscripts were sworn in as the first generation of Slovenian soldiers, serving in the Territorial Defence force, was marked at a ceremony on Tuesday. PM Janez Janša, who also addressed the conscripts as defence minister on 2 June 1991, recalled their training and stressed the importance of security for the country.
Ex-Maribor mayor sees prosecution drop last case against him
LJUBLJANA - Franc Kangler, a former Maribor mayor who now serves as a state secretary at the Interior Ministry, appears to have won what he says is the last "politically-motivated" case against him, after prosecution decided not to press ahead with a motion for a court-led phase of investigation in an alleged EU funds fraud. Kangler claims EUR 634,000 in damages from the state in compensation for the criminal proceedings against him.
Online retailer Zalando launches in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - Zalando, an e-commerce company offering fashion and lifestyle products, launched its new online platform in Slovenia today. Speaking at an online press conference, Zalando's representative Lisa Miczaika said this was also an opportunity for Slovenian brands to sell their products across Europe via the platform.
Mlekarna Celeia returns to profit in 2020
CELJE - The dairy Mlekarna Celeia generated sales revenue of almost EUR 60 million last year, an annual rise of around EUR 2 million. The company finished 2019 with a loss of EUR 832,000, while its profit last year amounted to almost EUR 1 million, director Vinko But told the press.
Slovenian Press Agency founded 30 years ago
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Press Agency (STA) was founded 30 years ago as part of preparations for Slovenia's declaration of independence. The agency started operation amid great uncertainty, according to STA's first director Dejan Verčič. The STA was registered as a company on 3 June 1991 and published its first news article on 20 June 1991.
Exhibition of independence-era photos by Živulović on display in Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - An exhibition of photographs by Srdjan Živulović has opened at the National Museum in the Metelkova museum quarter to showcase photographs which the Pulitzer-winning photographer took 30 years ago during Slovenia's independence efforts. Marking the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence, the exhibition, entitled 30, features 36 photographs or as many as could be taken per film roll with analogue cameras.
At 58, Debevec wins European Championship bronze
OSIJEK - Rajmond Debevec, Slovenia's best sports shooter of all times, has won bronze at the European Shooting Championship in Osijek, more than three decades after winning his first medal at a European competition. The 58-year-old is the winner of three Olympic medals. He was also world champion twice and has six European titles.
