Slovenia formally protests with Russia over destruction of consulate in Kharkiv
LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador to Slovenia Timur Eyvazov to lodge a formal protest and demand an apology and compensation after the Slovenian consulate in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was destroyed by a Russian missile yesterday. The ministry said Slovenia would use "all diplomatic means available" to express opposition to such actions. It plans to notify international organisations such as the UN, OSCE, CoE and NATO of the "inadmissible act" and will support an investigation by the International Criminal Court.
Support for Ukraine's fight at Ljubljana rally
LJUBLJANA - The second rally in support of Ukraine in two days was held in Ljubljana with senior government officials condemning Russia's aggression and highlighting that Ukraine was fighting not just for itself but for freedom and democracy throughout Europe. The rally was organised by the Ljubljana-Kyiv Cultural Association, the Ukrainian diaspora and Ukraine's embassy and featured speeches by Prime Minister Janez Janša, deputy prime ministers Matej Tonin and Zdravko Počivalšek, National Council President Alojz Kovšca, and Ukrainian Ambassador Mykhailo Brodovych.
Slovenia takes in 68 Ukrainian refugees, mostly children
LJUBLJANA - The refugee centre opened by Slovenia in Logatec, south-west of Ljubljana, to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, welcomed the first arrivals from Ukraine overnight. The group of 68 includes 38 children. The refugees are members of a football club, including children, their coaches, chaperones and some women with children, said Katarina Štrukelj, director of the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants. The number of refugees is expected to increase in the coming weeks with the office having been informed about them being on their way.
Minister indicates state might help business hit by war in Ukraine
PODLEHNIK - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek has indicated businesses hit by the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia might get state aid if that should prove necessary, but said it would be premature to talk of any concrete plans. He said it was too early too talk of concrete plans until the impact was analysed and the figures were available, but noted companies would have to pivot towards some more stable markets in the long term.
FinMin confident Slovenian business to find new markets fast
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj is confident that Slovenian businesses will soon find markets to substitute for Russia and that the economy will cope with the fallout from the war in Ukraine. Speaking after a virtual emergency meeting of the EU finance ministers, he said the biggest impact was expected on the members that depend the most on Russian energy. He said Slovenia had an extremely robust financial system and sufficient reserves to support the economy.
Pahor receives Ukrainian ambassador to Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor received Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovenia Mikhaylo Brodovych. The pair expressed concern over the war in Ukraine, and the ambassador outlined to Pahor the current situation in Ukraine in the wake of Russia's invasion, Pahor's office said in a written statement. Pahor pledged all possible available support for Ukraine and stressed that compared to the aggressor, Ukraine has all the moral advantage.
NLB head reassures Sberbank clients as the bank reopens
LJUBLJANA - After NLB bank acquired the Slovenian subsidiary of Russia's Sberbank, Sberbank's operations in Slovenia resumed today with NLB chairman Blaž Brodnjak reassuring clients they have "no reason to worry any more, open accounts at other banks or transfer assets to other banks". The 40,000 Sberbank clients have full access to their money again, he said. NLB will first change the bank's name and gradually integrate it. The takeover has already been approved by the Competition Protection Agency.
Supreme Court president warns of hidden threats to judiciary
LJUBLJANA - Supreme Court President Damijan Florjančič talked of attempts to weaken the judiciary at a high-profile ceremony where he warned of hidden dangers such as the wage policy and budgetary measures. He spoke of the importance of the judiciary being independent to perform its mission as he said the judiciary must enhance the rule of law through its decisions. He warned of the risks to the judiciary's independence, both from the inside and the outside.
Courts reducing backlogs, but issues remain
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian courts continued to reduce backlogs last year, even compared to the pre Covid-19 time. The number of unsolved cases rose above 5% in 2020 but the trend was reversed in 2021. The courts resolved more cases than they received and by the end of the year reduced the number of pending cases again. However, the results are less good in major cases and in the per-judge resolution rate, Supreme Court President Damijan Florjančič reported as he presented the 2021 court statistics. Trends are not favourable at the Administrative Court either.
Food security in Slovenia not jeopardised
LJUBLJANA - While the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have a profound impact on the global food market, food security in Slovenia is not jeopardised. However, the long-term consequences are a cause for concern, Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek said after a session of EU agriculture ministers. Nevertheless, the minister has appointed a food security task force to analyse the situation in the food market and trade between Slovenia and Ukraine. The 12-member task force will also monitor the situation with commodity reserves.
Universities joining general strike in the education system
LJUBLJANA - Universities decided to join the general strike in the education system scheduled for 9 March after a list of their demands had been ignored by the Education Ministry for over a month. Much like school and kindergarten teacher, professors at universities are unhappy with the public sector pay system after the government decided to offer doctors a higher top pay bracket. They also want better working conditions and an overhaul of working time rules.
Insurer Triglav ups 2021 net profit by 53% to EUR 113 million
LJUBLJANA - The Triglav Group, Slovenia's largest insurer, saw net profit increase by 53% to EUR 113 million in 2021 year-on-year as premium revenue rose by 10% to EUR 1.46 billion, the company said. The growth was driven by the technical-insurance part of the business and the management of client assets in mutual funds and individual management. Gross written premium totalled EUR 1.35 billion and growth was posted across all segments and in all markets.
Coastal community opposed to LNG terminal idea
KOPER/ANKARAN - The local community in the Slovenian Istria is opposed to the idea, floated by PM Janez Janša, that a liquefied natural gas terminal should be built on the Slovenian coast to diversify the country's energy supplies and reduce dependence on Russia. Ankaran Mayor Gregor Strmčnik described the idea as unacceptable from an expert's point of view after Koper Mayor Aleš Bržan ruled out gas terminals. He said Slovenia had to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and diversify its sources, but the right approach would be to step up decarbonisation and invest in alternative sources.
Committee endorses changes to act on Independence War victims
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee endorsed changes to the act on the rights of victims of the 1991 Independence War, expanding the right to compensation also to the family members of victims who were civilians. Families of the members of the Territorial Defence, Slovenia's army at the time, and interior affairs bodies already have certain rights under the existing legislation, said Defence Ministry State Secretary Janez Žakelj.
New Covid-19 vaccine available in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA - The first shipment of 36,000 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by US company Novavax has arrived in Slovenia and will be available at vaccination centres as of Thursday, according to the website of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). The Nuvaxovid vaccine is registered for those over 18 years old. It requires two doses which administered three weeks apart.
Daily coronavirus case count down to just over 1,800 on Tuesday
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases dropped again both in weekly and daily comparisons to 1,836 in Slovenia on Tuesday, after a 10% rise on the same day a week ago was recorded on Monday following weeks of steady decline. Just over 33,200 cases are estimated to be active by the National Institute of Public Health. Hospitalisations continued to decline, and another eight patients with Covid died.
Double podium for Slovenian jumpers at outset of Raw Air
LILLEHAMMER, Norway - Slovenian ski jumpers Nika Križnar and Urša Bogataj grabbed second and third place at the outset of the Raw Air jumping series as Sara Takanashi of Japan recorded her 62nd World Cup victory. Bogataj lead after the first series and Križnar was third, but they did not cope well with changing conditions on the hill that forced the jury to lower the starting position.
President decorates five sports coaches
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor conferred the Order of Merit on five Slovenian sports coaches, honouring them for their contribution to the outstanding achievements of Slovenian athletes. Marjan Fabjan received the Order of Merit for judo, Andrej Hauptman and Franc Hvasti for cycling, Roman Krajnik for sport climbing and Polona Sladič for achievements of disabled shooters.
Most wanted Slovenian suspect extradited by Spain
KOPER/LJUBLJANA - Enes Kočan, a Slovenian wanted in connection to a 300 kilo heroin bust at the Koper port in April 2018, was extradited to Slovenia by the Spanish authorities last week, Slovenske Novice reported. The General Police Administration confirmed that Kočan was taken into custody in Koper on the same day after being heard by the Koper District Court.
