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This summary is provided by the STA:
Pahor supports Moldova's reform efforts
CHISINAU, Moldova - President Borut Pahor met his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu and PM Natalia Gavrilita as part of his official visit to Moldova. He expressed support for the president's and the government's reform efforts. "There are very many challenges ahead, but Slovenia has always stood by Moldova's side and this is how it will also be in the future," Pahor told a joint press conference as quoted by his office. Pahor and Sandu also discussed EU-Moldovan relations.
Commission Vice-President Šuica meets Janša during visit
LJUBLJANA/BRESTANICA - European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica visited Slovenia to attend an international conference on smart villages in Brestanica, which was held as part of Slovenia's EU presidency. She also met Prime Minister Janez Janša in Ljubljana to discuss the Conference on the Future of Europe and demographic issues. The commissioner expressed concern about the low participation of European citizens in the debates on the future of Europe.
Janša meets representatives of ID group
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša met senior representatives of the Identity and Democracy (ID) Group in the European Parliament to discuss topics related to the EU and the post-Covid situation in Europe. Janša's office said the meeting focussed on the Conference on the Future of Europe as well as the EU-Western Balkans summit. It was held as a delegation of the ID group is in Slovenia on a study visit.
Issue of Slovenian delegated prosecutors raised again in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kövesi again raised the issue of non-appointment of European delegated prosecutors from Slovenia. She told the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control that after four months of operation this was one of the main challenges the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). Since Slovenia has not appointed delegated prosecutors yet, so the EPPO cannot process all Slovenian cases, which seriously affects not only the cases in Slovenia but also the investigations of all cross-border cases involving Slovenia, she said.
Expo Dubai showcases Slovenia as green oasis
DUBAI, UAE - Slovenia is showcased as a green and smart country at Expo 2020 Dubai, which opened its doors to exhibitors and visitors. Slovenia's pavilion paints the country as a green oasis in Europe under the slogan Slovenia - Green Smart Experience. The aim of Slovenia's participation is to increase its global market presence, boost its exports, including to the United Arab Emirates, and promote the country as a green tourist destination. Relevant officials are very satisfied with Slovenia's showing so far.
Slovenia, ESA discuss future cooperation
LJUBLJANA - Future cooperation between Slovenia and the European Space Agency (ESA) was in the focus as Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec held talks with ESA director general Josef Aschbacher. The latter said that the reinforced Slovenian association with ESA - Slovenia is an associate member en route to full membership, was instrumental in strengthening national capabilities, adding the country was drafting a space law and strategy with the support of ESA.
Gravitational Physiology Laboratory launched in Planica
PLANICA - The Laboratory for Gravitational Physiology was inaugurated at the Planica Nordic Centre in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the ministries of science and the economy and the Jožef Stefan Institute. The laboratory will contribute to research to maintain the well-being of astronauts during missions to space. ESA director general Josef Ascbacher said the ESA was very happy to add to its programme the Planica centre, which has a unique capacity to research hypoxemia.
Armed Forces introducing green defence measures
CERKLJE OB KRKI - Defence Minister Matej Tonin announced the introduction of Pipistrel ultra-light electric aircraft as one of the most important green defence measures taken by the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) as cooperation with Slovenian aircraft maker Pipistrel was presented at the military airfield in Cerklje ob Krki. He also mentioned the introduction of hydrogen fuel and the energy renovation of Slovenian military barracks. "The SAF has made significant strides towards green defence and is becoming energy-efficient wherever possible," Tonin added.
All ministries to get more funds in 2022 budget
LJUBLJANA - All ministries as the biggest budget spending units will get more funds with the balanced 2022 budget compared to this year's original budget, with the Health Ministry's funds to more than double. In 2023, the majority of them will get less than this year, according to a breakdown of outlays the government sent to parliament. PM Janez Janša and Finance Minister Andrej Šicelj are to present the budgets to parliament on Thursday. The documents are to be passed in mid-November.
Review ordered over use of viral vector jabs on under 18s
LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry asked the Medical Chamber to examine whether under 18-year-olds may have received the viral vector vaccines Janssen and AstraZeneca, which have not been approved for that age group. Data published on the website of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) indicates that 219 persons under 18 years of age have been vaccinated with the single-shot Janssen jab, while the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered to 45 and the second to 20 under 18s.
Weekly increase in new Covid cases
LJUBLJANA - A total of 970 new coronavirus infections were recorded in Slovenia on Thursday in what is an increase week-on-week. The number of patients in hospital dropped by one to 419 this morning, including 112 in intensive care, three more than yesterday, government data show. Four Covid-19 patients died. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 decreased by eight to 596 as the rolling seven-day average of new daily cases increased by five to 869, according to the National Institute of Public Health.
Another academic year marked by Covid-19 begins
LJUBLJANA - The beginning of October marks the start of a new academic year, once more impacted by Covid-19, as in-person lectures, seminars and exams are being reserved for those meeting the recovered-tested-vaccinated rule. There has been no traditional university welcome for new students either. For staff and students, weekly self-testing at their respective institutions will be sufficient to meet the testing requirement. However, if the situation deteriorates, universities will have the autonomy to impose additional measures.
Ljubljana police department gets new interim head
LJUBLJANA - Police Commissioner Anton Olaj appointed Janez Rupnik interim head of the Ljubljana police department, says on the website of police. He will replace Boštjan Glavič, who will become an assistant of the Police Academy. Rupnik has so far served as assistant director of the uniformed police at the General Police Administration. The move comes after Prime Minister Janez Janša criticised the Ljubljana police leadership over the handling of Wednesday's protest, but Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said that the claims the replacement was linked to the protest were speculations.
Supreme Court warns Covid pass mandate cannot pertain to judges
LJUBLJANA - The Supreme Court proposed to the Justice Ministry to exempt the judiciary from the recovered-vaccinated-tested (PCT) rule so that the judicial branch can perform its function with clarity and autonomy. The court warned that the ministry's interpretation of the relevant decree cannot pertain to those working at courts. The issue was raised at a meeting on Monday which featured the justice minister, health minister and the president of the Supreme Court, the ministry confirmed for the STA.
Short animated film Granny's Sexual Life receives award
BRISTOL, UK - Granny's Sexual Life, a short animated documentary by Urška Djukić and Amelie Pigeard, has received the Special Mention award in the Animated Encounters Grand Prix category at the UK's leading short film festival Encounters 2021. The film is a journey into the history of the intimacy of a rural grandmother, summarising the attitude towards women in the first half of the 20th century in Slovenia.
"It'll be one of those films we will always remember," said the Animated Encounters jury.
Street in N Macedonia to be named after young Slovenian firefighter
NOVA GORICA - As news of a tragic death of a young Slovenian firefighter and diver reached North Macedonia, a country where he helped fight wildfires this summer, the Berovo mayor decided to propose that a street in the town be named after him. According to Primorske Novice, firefighter Žan Kofol, who died in a traffic accident in Nova Gorica on Tuesday, was the youngest of the firefighters from the Primorska region to join efforts to put out the fires around Berovo in eastern North Macedonia in August.
