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This summary is provided by the STA:
Logar and Qatari counterpart pledge stronger cooperation
LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar hosted his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who paid his first official visit to Slovenia. The ministers expressed the desire to strengthen cooperation and increase trade between the countries, and also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Logar and Al Thani highlighted the potential of cooperation in logistics, energy sector, tourism and information and communication technology, and in particular in the transfer of know-how in high technology from renewable sources. Al Thani also met PM Janez Janša, among others, to discuss opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation and energy price hikes.
After new leaked tape, Vizjak says he defended state interests
LJUBLJANA - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak stepped up his defence of a 2007 conversation with the businessman Bojan Petan after new recordings were published by POP TV. He told the press his goal was to protect the interests of the state in a takeover of the spa company Terme Čatež and he had a clear conscience. In the latest recording, which Vizjak acknowledged was authentic, the then economy minister is heard proposing to Petan a "gentleman's agreement" on how to move forward with the privatisation of Terme Čatež. He is also heard talking how the government would "squeeze a judge's nuts", which Vizjak regretted making. In response, the centre-left opposition said Vizjak should resign or be replaced, while the junior coalition partners plan to talk the matter through before taking any steps. The police and the prosecution said they were looking into the matter, and the Slovenian Judges' Association condemned Vizjak's statement about pressuring judges. The head of the Directors' Association, Gorazd Podbevšek, rejected Vizjak's claim that the deal making had been in line with the rules and the laws of the time.
Over 4,500 new Covid cases in new daily record
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's coronavirus case count hit 4,511 on Wednesday, up by more than a thousand on the record tally recorded the day before as the epidemic appears to be slipping out of control. Government data shows the number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 increased to 735, with 169 of them now being treated in intensive care. Nine more patients died. The test positivity rate remains high at over 44% as the estimated number of active cases passed 32,000, according to National Institute of Public Health.
Government to discuss new epidemic measures at Friday meeting
LJUBLJANA - The coordinator for Covid-19 vaccination Jelko Kacin said that the government would hold a special meeting at Brdo pri Kranju on Friday to assess the current situation, discuss the expectations for the next few days and the new measures, which were "to be implemented as soon as possible". Health Minister Janez Poklukar meanwhile warned that healthcare was at capacity. Measures restricting socialising will be a must in the coming days, he said. Robert Carotta, the coordinator for Covid hospital beds at the Health Ministry, confirmed that Slovenia was considering the possibility to start sending Covid-19 patients to hospitals abroad.
Minister dismisses renewed bids for delegated prosecutors
LJUBLJANA - The newspaper Dnevnik reported that Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič had dismissed renewed applications by Tanja Frank Eler and Matej Oštir in a repeat call for Slovenia's two European delegated prosecutors after the first one in which they were picked was annulled by the government. The minister's argument now is that a new call cannot be carried out as the first appointment procedure is still open until the Administrative Court's ruling becomes final. The court revoked the annulment of the first pick.
Candidate for US ambassador to work on strengthening bilateral ties
WASHINGTON, US - Jamie Linder Harpootlian, the candidate for US ambassador to Slovenia, spoke approvingly of Slovenia as she appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate in advance of a vote on her nomination, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties and work to ensure Slovenia's commitment to stability and security remains steadfast. Quizzed about media freedom, she said Slovenia had a multi-party system with built-in checks and balances, which made it difficult to believe a single party could take control.
Slovenian climate negotiator confirms commitment to positive outcome of COP26 conference
GLASGOW, UK - Representatives of the EU's climate negotiating team, including Slovenia's chief negotiator Tina Kobilšek, reaffirmed their commitment to a successful outcome of COP26 at a press conference in Glasgow. But it will be equally important to step up the ambitions in the years to come, they said. Kobilšek said that the EU and its member states had come to Glasgow with an ambitious mandate, backed by a European commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 55% by 2030. The Slovenian NGO platform Sloga meanwhile called on the Slovenian government, the European Commission and the European Parliament to advocate more ambitious actions and policies at the COP26 climate summit.
EBRD raises outlook for Slovenia's economic growth
LONDON, UK - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) improved its outlook for the Slovenian economy. It projects the country's GDP will grow by 6% this year, up a full point from its June forecast, while the forecast for 2022 was raised by half a point to 4.5%. The EBRD said that expansionary fiscal policy would continue supporting the economy. For next year the bank says the below EU-average vaccination rate could limit the recovery of consumption and affect business confidence.
PM Janša meets European Muslim and Jewish religious leaders
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša met in Ljubljana the representatives of the European Muslim and Jewish Leadership Council. They discussed the key priorities of the Slovenian EU presidency, the rights of religious minorities and the dignity of people of all faiths in European society, Janša's office said. The meeting was an important contribution to dialogue among various religious communities and Slovenia, which is currently at the helm of the Council of the EU, the press release says, adding Janša highlighted the role of religious freedom and dialogue among the believers of different faiths in promoting increased tolerance, respect and mutual understanding.
Tonin and counterparts from SE Europe agree to boost cooperation
SKOPJE, North Macedonia - Defence Minister Matej Tonin took part in a South Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting, where ministers from fifteen countries talked about progress of the initiative and joint security challenges. They signed a special statement to commit to further strengthening of cooperation. Tonin said the initiative was an important forum for debate on security challenges in the wider SE Europe. He expressed support to the countries from the region in the processes of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, noting this was key for long-term peace and stability in the region.
Andrijanič presents digitalisation plans to Montenegrin counterpart
LJUBLJANA - Minister for Digital Transformation Mark Boris Andrijanič received his Montenegrin counterpart Tamara Srzentić. He presented to her plans and initial solutions produced by Slovenia's Strategic Council for Digitalisation to promote digitalisation in the public administration to make life easier for citizens. The ministers called for continuation of cooperation in seeking best practices and measures for the next digital decade, noting the brain drain regarding IT experts, a press release by Andrijanič's office adds.
FURS acting head to get full term in mid-November
LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Ivan Simič, the acting director of the Financial Administration (FURS), for a full term, effective on 18 November. His term will expire in November 2026 with the possibility of reappointment, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said. Simič is a tax expert and the head of the Strategic Council for Debureaucratisation, which is tasked with checking the country's laws to cut red tape. He took over as FURS acting head in June.
Govt endorses environmental protection bill
LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed an environmental protection bill. The systemic bill on environment protection is needed due to problems with waste management and for Slovenia to transpose an EU directive, the cabinet said. The bill deals with all elements of the environment and introduces instrumental approaches to environment protection from planning and assessments of environmental impact to permits, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said. Responding to the bill, NGOs Greenpeace Slovenija, Umanotera and Focus were critical of some parts of it they find problematic.
Govt supplying millions of masks and other equipment
LJUBLJANA - In the wake of soaring Covid cases, the government decided to supply almost 4.5 million FFP2 face masks, 13,000 latex hand gloves, 1,500 one-litre bottles of hand sanitiser, nearly 5,000 one-litre bottles of surface disinfectants and more than 4 million masks for general use, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said. The masks and other equipment will be supplied to the municipalities, kindergartens, schools, Civil Protection, the military and police, healthcare and social-care institutions and other critical infrastructure.
Unemployment down annually despite slight monthly rise
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's joblessness saw a slight monthly increase in October, as a total of 66,654 people were registered as unemployed at the end of the month. The total number was up 0.8% compared to September and down 20.3% year-on-year. The Employment Service said the uptick was typical for this time of year as first-time job seekers get registered after completing their studies. Last month, 6,892 people were newly registered as unemployed, of whom 2,578 were looking for their first job.
Gorenjska Banka to acquire Slovenian Sberbank branch
KRANJ - Gorenjska Banka, the Slovenian bank owned by the Serbian AIK Banka, signed a deal to acquire the Slovenian subsidiary of the Russian Sberbank on Wednesday. Pending approval by regulators, the merger will create the third largest banking group in the country. It is part of a larger deal signed between Sberbank Europe and AIK Banka, Gorenjska Banka and AGRI Europe Cyprus Group to acquire Sberbank subsidiaries in Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Hungary, whose total assets amount to EUR 7.33 billion.
Telekom Slovenije reports 31% higher Jan-Sep profit
LJUBLJANA - Telecoms group Telekom Slovenije reported EUR 486.8 million in net sales revenue for the first three quarters of the year, up by 1% on the same period a year ago. Net profit was up by 31% to EUR 35.9 million, although the company said the figure would have been 36% higher when taking into account one-off events in 2020. The group, which employs 3,381 people, posted higher revenue from international voice services and sales of mobile merchandise.
Indictment filed against 24 Slovenian members of Kavač Clan
LJUBLJANA - Half a year after a police sting that busted the Slovenian cell of the notorious Montenegrin crime syndicate known as the Kavač Clan, the prosecution has filed an indictment against 24 out of 64 suspects. The newspaper Večer reported that the indictment filed by the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office on Friday did not include two repentants, who have greatly contributed to the arrests of the suspects by providing useful information. One of them will appear as the crown witness.
Platform for Change to promote cooperation
LJUBLJANA - Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik launched the eighth round of Partnership for Change, a national platform for cooperation between employees of the private and public sectors initiated by AmCham Slovenija and the Public Administration Ministry. Three projects have been picked to be tackled next year through cooperation. The Partnership for Change remains a project intended for organisations that want to exchange know-how, lead an open dialogue and create a better living and working environment in Slovenia, the ministry said.
Slovenian mountaineers open new climbing route in Nepal
KATHMANDU, Nepal - The Slovenian Mountaineering Association (PZS) reported that a pair of Slovenian mountaineers succeeded in making the first ascent on a new 1700m route on the north-west face of Mount Chobutse (6680 m) in Nepal, which they named Slovenian Direct. Luka Stražar and Nejc Marčič completed their feat between 28 and 30 October. The route is a combination of technical difficulty and high altitude climbing, while the wind and cold made the experience truly Himalayan, said PZS.
Exhibition on Covid times opening at City Museum
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana City Museum opened an exhibition featuring photos, videos, objects, journals and personal thoughts documenting the period marked by the Covid-19 epidemic. More than 80 people of all generations contributed to the Coronaexhibition, which will be on display until 16 January 2022. The exhibition was created based on a call made by the museum in March 2020 for people to send their contributions. More than 1,500 exhibits were thus collected.
