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This summary is provided by the STA:
Slovenia strongly condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia condemned in the strongest terms the Russian attack on Ukraine, with Prime Minister Janez Janša saying it was unprecedented military aggression against the country. "Russia must immediately withdraw its military and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity," he said. Addressing reporters after speaking to his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on the phone, Janša said the EU should ensure to Ukraine the prospect of full EU membership as soon as possible. President Borut Pahor called the attack a grave violation of international law and UN principles of peaceful resolution of disputes. Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič said it was an unlawful act, adding that the EU must remain united and make every effort to achieve a ceasefire. In solidarity with Ukraine, the country's flag was hoisted on the Government Palace and the Presidential Palace.
Janša urges severest sanctions against Russia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Arriving for an emergency EU summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Janez Janša urged the severest possible sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine. Janša said it was key that the Russian authorities "feel the price they are paying for this aggression is high indeed". Soon after EU leaders adopted extensive sanctions spanning into financial sector, energy and traffic. Janša also urged providing humanitarian, economic and military help to Ukraine.
Janša, Morawiecki call for Ukraine's EU accession
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian PM Janez Janša and his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki called for Ukraine's EU accession by 2030 in a letter to the president of the European Council and other EU leaders. Ahead of the EU summit on the Ukraine crisis, they urged prompt and brave decisions in what they termed as a "battle for Europe". The EU must be strong and united in the face of Russia's threat, introduce immediate sanctions but also "go much further", reads the letter. Janša the letter had been endorsed by several EU prime ministers.
Slovenia in talks to deploy troops in Slovakia
LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Matej Tonin said Slovenia was in talks with Slovakia to deploy up to 50 troops there to help enhance military presence in the country in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which borders Slovakia. Tonin noted that Slovenia already has roughly 50 troops in Latvia, deployed in the aftermath of Russia's actions in the Crimea in 2014. Tonin deplored Russia's attack, saying Slovenia must support Ukraine morally and financially to sustain the pressure.
Ukraine embassy thanks Slovenia for support, aid
LJUBLJANA - Natalia Markevich, charge d'affaires at the Ukrainian embassy in Ljubljana, thanked Slovenia for its support and assistance to Ukraine following Russia's invasion. She pointed to the need for "a united and strong response to Russia's aggression". Only with a united response can the aggressor be stopped, she said, adding that Russia "will not stop at Ukraine only. We need a quick response of the entire world, including with the severest of sanctions. Russia must be isolated in all possible ways."
Pundit says Putin cannot win war in Ukraine in the long run
LJUBLJANA - Denis Mancevič, a former diplomat serving in Moscow, assessed for the STA that Russian President Vladimir Putin had started a war that he would not be able to win in the long run. He believes that the war in Ukraine could also prove to have a fateful bearing on Putin's presidency and future existence of the Russian Federation. He does not think the world is at the doorstep of a Third World War, but says this is the worst security crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War that will have long-term consequences.
President decorates Trieste Slovenians and mayor
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor presented state decorations to Tatjana Rojc, the Slovenian serving as a senator in Rome, and minority officials Walter Bandelj and Ksenija Dobrila as well as Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza. Rojc received the Golden Order of Merit for her contribution to deepening cooperation between Slovenia and Italy and support for the Slovenian minority in Italy. The other three recipients were honoured with the Silver Orders of Merit.
NLB group reports record profit for 2021
LJUBLJANA - The banking group NLB posted a record profit of EUR 236.4 million in 2021, a substantial growth from the previous year, excluding effects from the acquisition of Komercijalna Banka in Serbia. "The results of our business operations in 2021 show that we have successfully left the epidemic far behind us and more importantly, that we have emerged from it stronger than ever," said NLB CEO Blaž Brodnjak. The bank is closely monitoring the Russia-Ukraine conflict even though it is unlikely to impact it directly.
Krka share plummets over 10% in wake of Russian invasion
LJUBLJANA - The issue of pharma company Krka, which does quite some business in and with Russia and Ukraine, lost more than 10% on heavy volumes on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange on Thursday in the wake of Russian invasion on Ukraine. More than EUR 4.4 million worth of Krka shares changed hands including one bloc deal. The SBI TOP lost 7.35% on EUR 7.9 million in total trading volumes.
Govt adopts new bill on money laundering prevention
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a new bill on the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing after a previous attempt was rejected in parliament at the beginning of the month owing privacy invasion concerns. The new bill is almost identical to the previous one, with only minor corrections. A provision was added in Article 159 that stipulates that an inspector may be declined entry to residential facilities if they do not have a relevant decision of the competent court.
Gen Energija gets interim head
LJUBLJANA - Gen Energija, the company managing the Slovenian half of the NEK nuclear power station, got an interim head, as the company's long-serving director general Martin Novšak was dismissed, effective today. Until a new head is appointed financial director Gordana Radanovič will serve as interim head, the company said in a press release. Gen Energija provided no reasons for Novšak's dismissal.
Inquiry into Covid response adopts interim report
LJUBLJANA - The opposition-founded parliamentary inquiry looking into the government's response to the Covid-19 epidemic adopted an interim report which lists several infringements. The inquiry's head Robert Pavšič of the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) said the 100-page report would be referred to investigative bodies to report to them several suspected criminal acts. In one of the conclusions they propose the plenary call on the government to resign immediately. Slovenia will hold the general election on 24 April.
Drop in new daily coronavirus cases continues
LJUBLJANA - The number of new daily coronavirus cases in Slovenia continues to drop both in daily and weekly comparisons, as the epidemic recedes. A total of 2,336 Covid test samples returned positive on Wednesday. The estimated number of active cases dropped by below 60,000, to 58,081. There are currently 473 Covid patients in hospitals, down 23 from yesterday, including 98 in intensive care, the same as yesterday, the government said.
Inflow in retirement lowest in 31 years
LJUBLJANA - The number of pensioners who get paid from mandatory pension insurance contributions in Slovenia increased by just 0.01% last year, the slowest growth in 31 years. The figures were presented as the new line-up of the council of the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute (ZPIZ) adopted a draft report for 2021, which shows the budget fund's revenue and expenditure levelled at EUR 6.2 billion. One member of the council linked the fall in retirement to the Covid-19 mortality.
Shrovetide festivities to go ahead on a smaller scale
CERKNO/PTUJ - Traditional Shrovetide carnival festivities in Slovenia that mark the end of winter and arrival of spring have largely been cancelled or heavily downscaled this year due to Covid-related restrictions. However, in light of the recent easing of measures, some towns have decided to go ahead with live events after all. The festivities will culminate with carnivals and parades during the weekend, and end on Shrove Tuesday.
