Janša urges EU get rid of Russian energy ASAP
VERSAILLES, France - Prime Minister Janez Janša called for the EU to end its reliance on Russian energy as soon as possible as he arrived for an EU summit in Versailles. He said Slovenia advocated for the EU to make the commitment to exclude Russian energy products as soon as possible. "Talking about that happening in ten year's time is an insult to those who are dying in the war," he said. He also said EU leaders should commit to Ukraine being guaranteed membership of the bloc similarly as they did for the Western Balkan countries at the Thessaloniki summit in 2003.
No cap on number of persons eligible for temporary protection
LJUBLJANA - As a government regulation came into force that activates the temporary protection of displaced persons act, the Interior Ministry said the number of refugees that Slovenia will provide protection to was currently not limited as it was impossible to assess their number. A large majority of Ukrainian refugees in Slovenia are currently accommodated at private addresses. This is expected to change in the coming days and reception capacities will increase accordingly.
Ukraine war-related exposure of insurers assessed as low
LJUBLJANA - In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Insurance Supervision Agency said the exposure of Slovenian insurers, reinsurers and pension funds to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus was relatively low. Their investments amounted to EUR 38 million or less than 0.4% of total assets at the end of 2021. "This represents a negligible proportion of all funds invested they have under management" the agency said, noting that their total assets exceeded EUR 10 billion.
Slovenia to get US$7m from ex-Yugoslav UN mission HQ
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and the other four countries successors to the former Yugoslavia on Wednesday signed an agreement to sell the Fifth Avenue building in Manhattan that used to serve as the headquarters of the federation's mission to the UN for US$50 million. Slovenia will get 14% of the sum or US$7 million, the Foreign Ministry said, welcoming the step as a "great success". It comes 20 years after the signing of the Succession Agreement.
Part of opposition files bill to re-regulate prices of motor fuel
LJUBLJANA - In the wake of rising fuel prices, the centre-left opposition filed a bill on regulation of prices of petroleum products that seeks to introduce the same pricing mechanism as it had been in force until April 2016 when price liberalisation started. The bill seeks to regulate the prices of unleaded petrol, diesel and heating oil by introducing a pricing mechanism under which the upper margin that can be charged by retailers would be limited.
Energy relief package heads to Constitutional Court
LJUBLJANA - The MDS association of small shareholders asked the Constitutional Court to review a three-month freeze on network charges in electricity bills that is part of the energy relief package adopted by parliament in February. Being shareholders in electricity distributors, they asked the court to stay the measure pending its decisions because the companies use the charges to invest in the network, green transformation and regular grid maintenance.
Commission urges moratorium on sale of state assets
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Commission for the Oversight of Public Finances proposed the government impose an immediate moratorium on the sale of tourism and housing facilities owned by the bad bank, having endorsed the Left's proposal to that effect. The parties said the current government was not to be trusted, and that the next government should decide on what to do with these assets.
Left proposes tax on large and empty apartments
LJUBLJANA - The opposition Left tabled a bill introducing a tax on empty and large houses and apartments to tackle the shortage of homes as estimates show that there are about 175,000 empty apartments around the country. According to the party, real estate agents estimate that around 30% of all real estate transactions are purchases of real estate as an investment. "This trend is the consequence of an absence of any kind of housing policy and inappropriate taxation of real estate," the party said.
Committee calls for effective population planning
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Education Committee, discussing demographic challenges in Slovenia and the EU, agreed that demographic change should be taken very seriously. Officials called for efficient population planning and higher birth rates at the session initiated by Matjaž Gams from the National Council, the upper chamber of parliament. He said in Slovenia around 10,000 more children should be born a year. It would take 200 years for the entire population to be replaced by new generations.
Industrial output up in January by almost 10% y/y
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial output was up by 0.1% in January compared to December 2021 due to a strong output in the electricity, gas and steam supply, the Statistics Office said. Year-on-year, the growth of output in January reached almost 10%. In the electricity, gas and steam supply, output was up by 17.8% on a monthly basis, while in manufacturing, and mining and quarrying it decreased by 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively. Total sales revenue in industry was up by 3% on a monthly basis.
Covid daily case count up 26% week-on-week
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 2,305 new cases of coronavirus for Wednesday, up by some 26% on the same day a week ago in what is the sixth consecutive day of a week-on-week increase in infections. The 7-day average of new daily cases rose by 66 to 1,857. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 people was still down, by three, to 1,168. Hospitalisations due to Covid-19 continued to decrease, totalling 249 this morning, down by 14. Another six people infected with coronavirus died.
National Centre for Animal Welfare established
LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Veterinary Faculty said it had established a National Centre for Animal Welfare that will monitor and participate in scientific research, education and training, and drafting of relevant regulations at national and EU levels. It will also conduct risk assessments and provide expert opinions related to animal welfare. The centre has been established with support from the Agriculture Ministry and the Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection Administration.
National Gallery showcases works acquired in past decade
LJUBLJANA - The National Gallery opened an exhibition of more than 150 works of art that it acquired in the past decade. They span from the mid-17th century to as recent as 2017. Visitors will be able to contemplate works by the 17th-century Dutch artist Almanach and the Slovenian Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant. The exhibition reveals "artistic gems, important acquisitions, exceptional additions and pieces in the mosaic of Slovenian fine art", the gallery said.
Slovenian women artists display their work at Cukrarna
LJUBLJANA - The Cukrarna Gallery put on show works by almost 60 women artists, all either Slovenian or working in Slovenia, from the 1990s to the present day. The exhibition Returning the Gaze deals with a variety of social topics in various techniques, ranging from paintings, sculptures, videos, performances, interventions to audio events, as well as including an accompanying programme. It is a highlight of this year's programme of Cukrarna.
Nova Gorica Capital of Culture Project gets its head
NOVA GORICA - The Nova Gorica city council endorsed Kaja Širok, the long-term head of the National Museum of Contemporary History, as director of the public institute GO! 2025 - European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica. Širok, who was confirmed for a five-year term, told the STA she felt this was a natural continuation of her career. Širok is a historian and Italianist with a PhD in cultural history. She studied in Bologna and Rome. She has been lecturing at the University of Nova Gorica since 2021.
Slovenian riders in lead of two UCI World Tour races
PARIS, France/PESCARA, Italy - Slovenian riders took the lead in two elite stage races that are part of the UCI World Tour. Primož Roglič put on the leader's yellow jersey in the 5th stage of the Paris-Nice race as Tadej Pogačar won the 4th stage of Tirreno-Adriatico to take the overall lead. This is 5th stage win for Pogačar this season and the 15th for his the UAE Emirates team.
