STA, 7 July 2021 - The National Assembly passed on Wednesday an emergency bill worth EUR 243.5 million to help the embattled tourism sector. The short-time work scheme has been extended and new holiday vouchers introduced. The opposition warned that the measures, which are this time aimed at the most affected sectors, came too late and were insufficient.

The stimulus package for tourism and other sectors most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic brings new vouchers for a wide range of services that can be used in accommodation facilities, restaurants, and even bookshops, theatres, for concerts or various sports and other activities.

Adults will receive vouchers worth EUR 100 and those under 18 EUR 50. The total value of the vouchers is EUR 192 million.

Previous vouchers, worth EUR 200 for adults and EUR 50 for those under 18, could only be used for accommodation. They were introduced on 19 June last year, and according to data by the Financial Administration, EUR 146 million has been redeemed so far, some 41% of the total value.

Both the old and the new vouchers can be spent until the end of the year.

The new emergency bill also brings a series of measures to help companies in tourism, convention industry, restaurants, sports and culture.

This includes the EUR 20 million extension of the short-time work scheme for all sectors at least until the end of September with the possibility of extending it until the end of the year.

For tourism, hospitality, the events industry, sports and culture, subsidies for 2021 holiday allowance will also be available.

The legislation also delivers an 80% or 60% cost refund for event organisers from August until the end of the year, waiver of fees for water rights for swimming pools for the first half of this year, and a 25% refund for the cost of production of audiovisual works until the end of the year. Ski lift operators that were not allowed to work for a time during this year's ski season will also get aid to offset part of their shortfall in revenue.

According to Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, the situation in the economy in general is very good and businesses are expected to recover quickly. But some sectors have been particularly affected, so rather than preparing a ninth stimulus package, the government decided to draw up a special emergency law just for tourism and associated sectors, he told MPs on Tuesday.

Mihael Prevc from the coalition New Slovenia (NSi) said that the latest emergency bill complemented the previously introduced measures which had proved to be effective, and brought new temporary measures for the economy and tourism.

Marko Pogačnik from the ruling Democrats (SDS) pinpointed the extension of subsidies for shorter working hours, state co-funding of holiday allowance for employees in sectors that were hit the hardest, and aid for the convention film and audiovisual industries and for ski lift operators.

Outside the coalition, the National Party (SNS) and Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) expressed support for the bill, while the rest of the opposition was critical. The centre-left opposition mainly regretted the government had not delivered on its promise to pay out one-off aid to businesses which had been banned from working due to government decrees.

"Such direct aid would be the most economical and would give those affected an immediate liquidity boost to restart their business while compensating for what they lost because of the epidemic," said Marko Bandelli from the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) on Tuesday.

Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc agreed yesterday that such payment to the most affected would be necessary, adding that a proposal on this would be drawn up and that the money would come from cohesion funds, however this has not materialised.

Meira Hot from the Social Democrats (SD) said the cultural sector and NGOs should have also received aid.

The fiercest criticism came from Robert Pavšič, an MP for the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), who said the government had been carefree and even negligent in drawing up the measures, and Primož Siter from the Left, who said aid was coming much too late.

"You will be distributing new vouchers; this smells like pre-election bribery," said Pavšič. Siter said the Left opposed the bill because it offered aid to the capital not the people.

Some MPs warned that some provisions from the stimulus package were not related to the epidemic such as the extension of validity of ID cards that expired as of 29 March 2020, temporary use of money from the Fund for Waters including for the financing of services of general economic interest, extension of validity of miners' rights, extension of payment deadlines for deregistered vehicles, and Sunday opening of shops at airports.

Regardless of a ban on Sunday shopping, shops at airports may be open on Sundays and holidays until the end of 2022 under the stimulus package. Moreover, shops in tourist information centres and museums will also be permitted to be open on Sundays.

The legislation was endorsed in a 47:8 vote with the coalition, DeSUS, SNS and minority MPs voting in favour of it. The Left was the only party that voted against, whereas the rest of the centre-left opposition abstained.

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MPs pass stimulus package for tourism

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed an emergency bill worth EUR 243.5 million to help tourism and other sectors most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. The legislation also brings a series of measures to help companies in tourism, convention industry, restaurants, sports and culture. The short-time work scheme has been extended at least until the end of September with the possibility of extending it until the end of the year. New holiday vouchers have been introduced for a wide range of services, including accommodation facilities, restaurants, bookshops, theatres, concerts or various sports and other activities. The opposition warned that the measures came too late and were insufficient.

Ways to improve vaccine uptake discussed as govt meets local officials

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Government officials and health professionals called on mayors to help convince the people to get vaccinated, warning that the situation is serious, with infections on the rise again. Prime Minister Janez Janša said it was quite clear what lay ahead in the coming weeks and months if adequate vaccination was not achieved. If we do not seize the opportunity, we will also waste the chance to recover from the epidemic, said Janša, recalling that the economy was doing well at the moment and money for investments would be available. "But if we have to deal with lockdowns again, we will miss our chance," Janša added.

EU Commission upgrades Slovenia's GDP growth forecast to 5.7%

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission projects that Slovenia's economy will expand by 5.7% this year, a 0.8-point increase on its May forecast. The outlook for 2020 was slightly downgraded to 5%. The eurozone as a whole is expected to post growth rates of 4.8% and 4.5%, respectively. The Commission said Slovenia's recovery was buoyed by growing private spending, investments and exports, with merchandise exports already at pre-crisis levels. In general the impact of the pandemic is still cushioned by significant government measures in support of jobs and corporate liquidity.

NBI oversight reveals shortcomings, Minister Hojs calls for staff changes

LJUBLJANA - The Interior Ministry's oversight of police tasks and powers at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has revealed several shortcomings, including too long investigations and mistakes related to house searchers. Based on the report, Minister Aleš Hojs believes that "certain staff changes" should be made at the NBI. The report shows 95% of the detentions ordered during NBI-conducted house searches were disproportionate, Hojs told the press as he presented the report. As for lengthy investigations, he said they could "last for five years, while things are in the drawer for a year or more", which he labelled scandalous.

Article 7 hearings on Slovenian EU presidency agenda, says Logar

STRASBOURG, France - On behalf of the Council of the EU, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar told the European Parliament that hearings under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union regarding Poland and Hungary were on the agenda of Slovenia's EU presidency as many MEPs were critical of the stalling of sanctions procedures in question. Logar said that the Slovenian presidency attached great importance to respect for the rule of law and protection of basic rights. He also highlighted the joint responsibility for promoting common values, vowing that the Slovenian presidency would make use of tools at its disposal and promote a joint culture of the rule of law in the EU.

73 new coronavirus infections confirmed in Slovenia on Tuesday in new uptick, one death

LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases rose to 73 in Slovenia on Tuesday in what is the highest number in almost three weeks. The 7-day average of new cases rose by four to 30 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents by one to 19, data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) show. A total of 2,104 PCR and 17,150 rapid tests were conducted yesterday. There are currently 52 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, including 10 in intensive care. One patient died on Tuesday, breaking a 12-day period with no deaths reported. More than 50 new infections have been traced to a senior trip to Lore de Mar, Spain, the NIJZ said.

Parliament passes bill on emergency measures in healthcare

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill on emergency measures in healthcare which the government had fast-tracked through parliament. The bill, worth EUR 66.6 million, introduces some temporary measures to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic while also seeking to cut long waiting times. The legislation provides a basis for extending several measures, including subsidies for workers in quarantine or in case of force majeure from 1 July until the end of 2021. It extends into 2022 a tender which also allows private doctors to help cut waiting times in the public system, which has earned it criticism of fostering privatisation.

Amendments to communicable diseases act passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed amendments to the communicable diseases act after the Constitutional Court declared parts of the act and by extension the measures introduced during the epidemic unconstitutional. The amended act determines that expert assessments are required for some measures, and that certain indicators must be taken into account when restrictions are adopted. It also introduces curbs on the duration and location of the measures. In case of restrictions that would strongly affect human rights and fundamental freedoms, there will be a special mechanism under which individual measures in place for more than 90 days can only be extended by the National Assembly.

Aid confirmed for farmers stricken by spring frost

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly unanimously endorsed a law on measures to help farmers affected by the spring frost. The legislation provides the basis for a final damage assessment and for emergency measures. The majority of deputy groups were in favour of making the aid available as soon as possible. The frost has caused exceptional damage to fruit and wine production. The law creates the legal basis for providing aid to affected agricultural holdings in the form of soft loans to finance running costs, a reduction or waiver of pension and disability insurance contributions, and a waiver of lease payments to the Farmland and Forest Fund.

Brijuni Declaration remembered as making Slovenia international subject

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor recalled the unity from 30 years ago as he hosted a ceremony in Ljubljana to mark three decades since the Brijuni Declaration, a document that ended the ten-day war for Slovenian independence, was adopted on 7 July 1991. Pahor believes the agreement was an important step towards Slovenia's international recognition, something the then president of the Slovenian presidency, Milan Kučan, and then Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel agreed with. Kučan said the Brijuni talks had asserted Slovenia as a European negotiator and international subject. Rupel focussed on the role of the declaration for Slovenian diplomatic service and shed light on diplomatic efforts.

Tonin visits Slovenian troops, NATO mission commanders in Latvia

RIGA, Latvia - Slovenian Defence Minister Matej Tonin visited the Slovenian soldiers serving in NATO's mission Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. Together with his Montenegrin and Macedonian counterparts, Olivera Injac and Radmila Šekerinska, he met the mission's senior officers at the Adazi base, where Slovenia's 9th contingent is serving, the Slovenian Defence Ministry said in a statement. They discussed the role of the countries in the mission. Tonin also met his Latvian counterpart Artis Pabriks to discuss the security situation in the Baltic region and bilateral defence and military cooperation.

Govt discusses development projects, pay system with mayors

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Public sector pay system and regional development topped the agenda as Prime Minister Janez Janša hosted a working meeting with mayors, with ministers announcing more funds for school and sport infrastructure and for primary healthcare. Janša also announced that the government planned to visit all Slovenian regions in the coming six months despite the country's presiding the Council of the EU. He pinpointed the public sector pay system as one of the obstacles to development, with mayors agreeing that low wages at public institutions were a problem.

Migration and digital crime discussed in Portorož

PORTOROŽ - Informal meetings of the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) and the Council's Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security (COSI) started as part of Slovenia's EU presidency. The SCIFA meeting will focus on dossiers dealing with migration and border management. The COSI meeting will discuss ways to fight crime in the digital age and the influence of artificial intelligence on police work, Slovenian officials said.

Businesses warn another lockdown would be costly

LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) warned that a potential new lockdown would be prohibitively expensive for businesses and the state as it called on people to get vaccinated against coronavirus to prevent another shutdown of public life. The GZS estimates a new lockdown in autumn would result in a EUR 1.7 billion revenue shortfall for the corporate sector, wiping out EUR 400 million in value added and 2,500 jobs. Government support for the economy would cost EUR 800 million.

Europe Readr venue launched in Izola under Slovenian EU presidency

IZOLA - The coastal town of Izola now boasts a special place to read and reflect on a number of issues in its park near Izola Lighthouse. The art installation My Reading Room, which opened today, is Slovenia's contribution to Europe Readr, the international cultural project of the Slovenian EU presidency, the Foreign Ministry said. The Slovenian EU presidency has put books from all member states at the heart of public space, said State Secretary Gašper Dovžan at the opening ceremony. My Reading Room will be open every day between 10am and 6pm until the end of September.

Cigarette prices to rise by almost 5% in August

LJUBLJANA - The Finance Ministry proposed a rise in excise duties on cigarettes that comes with an average 5% increase for a pack of cigarettes. The rise, which is expected to take effect in August, is reckoned to bring in an additional EUR 18 million a year. Under the proposal, which will be discussed by the government at one of its forthcoming sessions, excise duty per 1,000 cigarettes will rise from EUR 120 to EUR 127. Taking into account the increase and VAT, the average price of a pack of cigarettes will stand at EUR 3.24 from 1 August.

STA, 7 July 2021 - The Finance Ministry has proposed a rise in excise duties on cigarettes that comes with an average 5% increase for a pack of cigarettes. The rise, which is expected to take effect in August, is reckoned to bring in an additional EUR 18 million a year.

Under the proposal, which will be coordinated among ministries and then discussed by the government at one of its forthcoming sessions, excise duty per 1,000 cigarettes will rise from EUR 120 to EUR 127. Taking into account the increase and VAT, the average price of a pack of cigarettes will stand at EUR 3.24 from 1 August.

The rise will also affect cigars, cigarillos, fine-cut tobacco and other types of smoking tobacco as well as heat-not-burn tobacco.

When it comes to electronic cigarettes, excise duty on nicotine-free e-cigarettes is to increase, whereas the duties for e-cigarettes that contain nicotine will not change, according to information about the proposal posted on the eAdministration website.

The last increase in excise duties for tobacco products was implemented in October 2020.

STA, 7 July 2021 - Thirty years to the day, the Brijuni [sometimes written Brioni] Declaration was adopted, ending hostilities between Yugoslav and Slovenian forces in the ten-day independence war and suspending Slovenia's independence activities for three months. It was the first international agreement between Slovenia and the EU's predecessor, the European Economic Community (EEC).

Following diplomatic efforts that began after the outbreak of independence war in Slovenia, the declaration was signed on the Brijuni Islands in Croatia on 7 July 1991 after 15 hours of negotiations. The agreement was endorsed by the Slovenian Assembly on 10 July.

The parties to the declaration were the representatives of Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, the Yugoslav federal authorities and the trio representing the EEC, made up of the foreign ministers of Luxembourg, Portugal and the Netherlands.

The representatives from Slovenia were the president of the Slovenian presidency Milan Kučan, Prime Minister Lojze Peterle, Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, the Slovenian representative in the Yugoslav Presidency Janez Drnovšek, and the Speaker of the Slovenian Assembly, France Bučar.

The Yugoslav delegation featured Prime Minister Ante Marković, Interior Minister Petar Gračanin, Foreign Minister Budimir Lončar, Deputy Defence Minister Stane Brovet and other members of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). Croatia was represented by President Franjo Tuđman.

In the declaration, the parties agreed that in order to resolve the situation peacefully, several principles must be strictly respected, including that only the peoples of Yugoslavia can decide their own future, and that negotiations should start immediately, and no later than 1 August 1991.

The European Community pledged to offer assistance in finding peaceful and lasting solutions, provided that all obligations are strictly respected.

In an annex to the declaration, it was agreed that Slovenian police would control Slovenian border crossings in accordance with Yugoslav federal regulations.

The parties agreed on the unblocking of all units and facilities of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), the unconditional withdrawal of JNA troops to barracks, the removal of all road barricades, the return of all JNA assets and equipment, and the deactivation of all Slovenian Territorial Defence units.

The Brijuni Declaration did not fully satisfy any of the parties involved in the Yugoslav crisis. For Slovenia, the most contentious provision was the three-month suspension of independence activities, which was seen by some as a temporary renunciation of independence, the unblocking of JNA barracks, and the return of JNA assets and equipment.

The declaration was met with mixed reactions in the country - some considered it necessary to stop the war at all cost, while others felt that the Slovenian delegation at Brijuni gave up what had been gained with the Declaration of Independence and during the ten-day war.

But even though Slovenia committed to a three-month suspension of the independence process, the process was actually accelerated.

The Yugoslav leadership realised that it would not be able to stop Slovenian independence and decided to withdraw its troops from Slovenia within three months on 18 July 1991. The last JNA troops left the port of Koper on 25 October.

Later that summer, on 27 August 1991, the EEC set up an arbitration commission to resolve legal issues related to the break-up of Yugoslavia. The commission's conclusions paved the way for the international recognition of Slovenia.

As historian Božo Repe pointed out for the STA in April, the Brijuni Declaration was the first international document that recognised Slovenia as an international subject. With it, Slovenia passed the maturity test in entering international relations and saved itself from war, he said.

Prime Minister Janez Janša also spoke about the declaration and the negotiations in Brijuni when he presented the priorities of the Slovenian EU presidency to the European Parliament on Tuesday.

He said that the Brijuni negotiations had restored Slovenia's hope in Europe, which had been striving to preserve Yugoslavia until the start of the war in Slovenia.

STA, 6 July 2021 - The Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport has seen traffic tick up at the start of the summer tourism season. Scheduled flights to eleven destinations and charter flights to twenty destinations are currently available, with 2,000-2,500 passengers passing through the airport daily.

On Tuesday scheduled flights between Ljubljana and Tivat were formally launched, a three times a week service operated by Montenegro Airlines.

Janez Krašnja, head of airline management at airport operator Fraport Slovenija, said six more destinations would be added in the coming months.

"Barring any fundamental changes in the epidemiological situation, we will have 17 scheduled lines this summer, which is a good achievement for the first year of recovery," he said.

The current daily number of passengers is a significant improvement over the peak of the epidemic, but it represents only a third of the normal daily number before the pandemic.

The airport operator fears what autumn and winter will bring. "Tourism and air traffic are practically the biggest victims of the pandemic, we sincerely hope there will be no fourth wave to sweep away the returning traffic," Krašnja said.

A setback came recently when a new government regulation determined that passengers from all countries on Slovenia's red list, including Egypt, Tunisia, UK and Ireland, had to quarantine on arrival.

Krašnja said such decisions reduced the speed of recovery of the aviation sector and were a big blow for the airport. There have not been many cancellations as yet and with indications that the restriction may be eased, Krašnja hopes it will not have too much of an impact on air traffic.

"We are hoping there are no more obstacles like this and that passengers can enter our country just like they can enter other countries in the region ... The fewer the obstacles, the more demand there will be," he said.

STA, 7 July 2021- The moves recently made by the prime minister both in the domestic political arena and the international stage are raising questions about what the prime minister wants to achieve in the first place, Primorske Novice says in Wednesday's commentary.

"There are questions as to the benefits the people derive from European politicians being instructed about which Slovenian judge is meeting which political party at a picnic. Or from Europe seeing a film ostensibly showing media bias."

Not only are there no palpable benefits to the people, the prime minister himself and by extension the entire government have no benefits beyond gaping jaws in Europe realising that Slovenia is increasingly becoming similar to countries that we used to look down upon, according to the commentator.

"If the prime minister's intention is to achieve better - to eschew the word balanced - media, better judiciary, healthcare, education, better conditions for the people, fine. We support that.

"But if we are now to report only about government achievements, Mt. Triglav climbs and missed sunsets, if the judiciary were to turn a blind eye to weapons deals, questionable land sales and covert insults, and if hospitals were to treat only those who can afford that, the title of the booklet should be changed," the paper says in reference to a booklet sent to Slovenian households entitled We Stood up and Survived, which it says should in this case be changed to We Stood up and Survived. And Backslid.

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

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Janša in EU Parliament: EU should start acting more strategically

STRASBOURG, France - PM Janez Janša said as he addressed the European Parliament that he believed the time had come for the EU to start acting more strategically, including in the Western Balkans. Presenting the Slovenian EU presidency's priorities, he said the first short-term priority was to do everything to prevent the fourth wave of the pandemic. Janša considers it key to convince people to get vaccinated. "Every citizens should do everything to stop the pandemic," he said, adding that ad hoc solutions should be replaced by sustainable structural measures. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile stressed the role of values and the rule of law. She said the July EU summit showed how central they were.

Slovenia highlights importance of European path for Albania, N Macedonia

STRASBOURG, France - Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed the importance of a breakthrough that would enable the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania as he presented the priorities of the Slovenian EU presidency to the European Parliament. He believes there is a possibility concrete steps will be taken in relation to North Macedonia and Albania ahead of an EU-Western Balkans summit that will be held in Slovenia in October. If the EU is not enlarging to the region, others, who do not contribute to stability, are, Janša reiterated.

MEPs convey stark message about rule of law in debate on EU presidency priorities

STRASBOURG, France - MEPs from the majority of political groups in the European Parliament sent PM Janez Janša some stark messages about the rule of law after he presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the Parliament. Most of the criticism centred on the non-appointment of European delegated prosecutors, media freedom and independent judiciary, while a lack of ambition in fighting climate change was also singled out. Janša's EPP too urged him to promptly appoint the two prosecutors.

Slovenian MEPs divided along party lines in reactions to Janša's address

STRASBOURG, France - MEPs from Slovenia were divided along partisan lines in their comments of the presentation of Slovenia's EU presidency priorities delivered by PM Janez Janša in the European Parliament. Romana Tomc (EPP/SDS) said she strongly believed the government would carry out the presidency successfully, while Tanja Fajon (S&D/SD) said that Slovenia's reputation had been undermined and that many people were wondering "about our values and European orientation".

Janša gives no comment on European political future of his party

STRASBOURG, France - Prime Minister Janez Janša did not wish to comment on the European political future of his Democrats (SDS) as he visited Strasbourg to address the European Parliament. Asked about the SDS's membership in the European People's Party (EPP), he said that his party was not dealing with such issues but was focused on current challenges. He said that the European political arena was dynamic and would change, adding that the next Parliament would be different as it had been after every EU election. "We'll see what happens," he said.

Vrtovec talks efforts to boost cross-border connectivity with EU and region's peers

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec hosted ministers in charge of transport from Slovenia's neighbouring countries and the Western Balkans to discuss efforts to improve cross-border connectivity between the EU and the region, with an emphasis on upgrading traffic infrastructure and border crossing management. Vrtovec said a proposal to adopt appropriate measures to boost connectivity would be presented to heads of state at an EU-Western Balkans summit that will be held in Slovenia in early October.

Easing of restrictions likely on hold as fears mount over delta-driven new wave

LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar indicated Slovenia would put any further easing of restrictions on hold over concerns that the delta variant of the novel coronavirus could lead to a renewed surge in infections. Slovenia is entering a period when the easing of restrictions will likely stop and emphasis will be placed on implementation of the protocol under which those who have been vaccinated, tested or have recovered from coronavirus have access to certain services, he said. "The better we implement this protocol, the fewer other restrictions there will be."

Slovenia logs 48 new coronavirus infections for Monday

LJUBLJANA - Out of 1,695 PCR tests performed in Slovenia on Monday, 48 returned positive, according to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). The 7-day average of new cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents stand at 26 and 18, respectively. Hospitals are still treating 59 Covid-19 patients, one more than yesterday, including 15 in intensive care, which is one fewer than the day before, according to data from the Covid-19 tracker site Sledilnik.

Allegations of voter suppression as referendum voting starts

LJUBLJANA - Proponents of the referendum on the waters act have sharply criticised the organisation of the voting, alleging voter suppression regarding information on how and where people can vote early and polling station staffing. There were reports of long waiting lines in Ljubljana, where there was just one polling station for early voting, and confusion in Maribor, where there were seven instead of one. "We are faced with inadmissible curtailing of voting rights," Aljoša Petek of the Legal Information Centre said.

Hojs: Police ordered Yellow Jackets removal before call from protest organisers

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs told MPs on Monday that he was not familiar with the police report on the 25 June rally of anti-government protestors in Ljubljana. But from what he has heard, he believes police ordered action against a Yellow Jackets group a few seconds before the protest's organisers had urged them to remove the group from the event.

Traffic steadily picking up at Ljubljana Airport

BRNIK - The Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport has seen traffic tick up at the start of the summer tourism season. Scheduled flights to eleven destinations and charter flights to twenty destinations are currently available, with 2,000-2,500 passengers passing through the airport daily. Janez Krašnja, head of airline management at airport operator Fraport Slovenija, said six more destinations would be added in the coming months. "Barring any fundamental changes in the epidemiological situation, we will have 17 scheduled lines this summer, which is a good achievement for the first year of recovery."

Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrates 170 years

DOB - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) marked its 170th anniversary on Tuesday as it received a Golden Order of Merit from President Borut Pahor for the promotion of Slovenian business at home and abroad. The chamber also conferred awards for exceptional business achievements. The recipients are Zdenko Zanoški, the director of flavourings maker Frutarom Etol, Marta Klevišar, the director of mobile home maker Adria Dom, Marko Lukić, the director of pre-fab house maker Lumar IG, and Jasna Dominko Baloh, the director of the private educational institution DOBA Fakulteta.

STA, 6 July 2021 - MEPs from the majority of political groups in the European Parliament sent PM Janez Janša some stark messages about the rule of law after he presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. His European People's Party (EPP) too urged him to promptly appoint European delegated prosecutors.

Apart from the European delegated prosecutors, most of the criticism centred on media freedom and independent judiciary, while a lack of ambition in fighting climate change was also singled out.

Janša welcomed all the views heard in the debate following his presentation of the Slovenian presidency priorities as legitimate.

While the EPP was rather reserved before Janša's appearance in Parliament, EPP head Manfred Weber urged Janša today to immediately appoint the two prosecutors.

Weber said the rule of law was a self-evident political principle, stressing problems with it in one member state were problems of the entire EU.

He also highlighted the controversy about media freedom and the judiciary in Slovenia.

Calls to appoint the delegated prosecutors and respect media freedom also came from the Social Democrats, Liberals, the Greens and the Left, who also highlighted an incident at the start of the Slovenian presidency when European commissioners visited Slovenia.

On 1 July, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans (S&D) refused to take part in a photo-op due to Janša's comments about links between Slovenian judges and the Slovenian Social Democrats (SD).

Stressing the rule of law was a pillar of democracy, S&D head Iratxe Garcia said this attack on the opposition MPs was unacceptable.

Malik Azmani from the liberal Renew called on Janša to appoint the delegated prosecutors and to stop harassing journalists and judges or appointing his friends to various offices.

The head of the Parliament's democracy monitoring group, Sophie in 't Veld, meanwhile announced a fact-finding mission to Slovenia for October.

The Dutch MEP from Renew argued that leaders of EU member states allowed the deep crisis of the rule of law to undermine EU values.

She expressed concern about attacks on journalists and highlighted the unacceptable interference with the appointment of the delegated prosecutors.

Janša, addressing the press after the debate, said he had never seen any obstacle to anyone coming to Slovenia to see the situation for themselves.

Stressing he was happy the group would visit in the autumn, he said "I hope they talk to different people, not just those who are presenting a one-sided picture."

As for media freedom, he said he had led the Slovenian government three times, and every time Slovenia had gained in the media freedom index.

He advised foreign journalists who do not speak Slovenian to come to Slovenia for a week with an interpreter so that they do not depend on what they are told.

"Don't judge by what somebody has told you," he added, but did not say whether he will attend another session of the democracy monitoring group scheduled for 15 July.

Ska Keller, the co-chair of the European Greens, said intimidating free media and the civil society was not what the Slovenian EU presidency was expected to do.

She also warned against a lack of ambition in fighting climate change.

In collaboration with Slovenian activists Jaša Jenull and Tea Jarc, the Greens staged a minor protest in front of the Parliament this morning, urging the EU to use all means available for the situation in Slovenia not to deteriorate.

The Left stressed Slovenians had the right to free media and efficient judiciary. In the media centre, reporters could see their parody of a Ljubljana postcard with Janša's message that the Slovenian presidency will actively contribute to a more xenophobic and regressive Europe.

The Eurosceptic grouping of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) meanwhile welcomed Janša's address.

Its Raffaelle Fitto said the group was at ease with his approach to European values while he rejected criticism about the European delegated prosecutors.

Similarly, the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) wished the Slovenian presidency good luck, while pointing to the role of respecting different nations.

In responding to the MEPs' views, Janša was conciliatory. He said Slovenia was not pulling out of the project of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, arguing the non-appointment of prosecutors was a result of problems related to the Slovenian law. He is confident the appointment could go through by the autumn.

Janša said today's debate was important even if they did not share all the views. "Europe is all this what you have presented," he said. He said that for him, all the views expressed were legitimate as he wanted all voices to be heard.

STA, 6 July 2021 - Slovenia will host the third Half Ironman race on 19 September, the Ironman 70.3 Slovenian Istria. The organisers expect about 1,200 competitors from 50 countries. The race was called off last year due to coronavirus, this year they expect to go ahead with a number of measures to protect the health of the racers.

Race director Milan Eržen told the press on Tuesday that it remained unclear what kind of restrictions will have to be observed in two months. "We'll do everything to provide maximum safety for the competitors and all those involved."

The race features a 1,900-metre swim leg, followed by a 90-kilometre loop by bicycle around Istria and a 21.3-kilometre run, mostly along the coast.

Jure Leben, the head of the Slovenian Triathlon Association, said the organisers were keen on making this a top-level event that will also serve as an inspiration for recreational triathletes in Slovenia.

You can learn more and register here

STA, 6 July - PM Janez Janša said as he addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday he believed the time had come for the EU to start acting more strategically, including in the Western Balkans. Presenting the Slovenian EU presidency's priorities, he said the first short-term priority was to do everything to prevent the fourth wave of the pandemic. 

As everybody is wondering what lies ahead in the autumn, Janša considers it key to convince people to get vaccinated. "Every citizen should do everything to stop the pandemic," he said, adding that ad hoc solutions should be replaced by sustainable structural measures.

He moreover highlighted resilience and recovery, the EU's strategic autonomy, a Union of European way of life, the rule of law and equal standards for all and the right to freedom of speech as he presented the presidency's priorities. He pointed to a credible and safe EU also able to ensure security and stability in its neighbourhood.

Janša urged everyone to present their views on the European future as part of Slovenia's next priority - the Conference on the Future of Europe.

He is convinced that everyone should contribute to the debate even if their views are opposing, arguing that others should not teach Europeans about the European future.

Janša pointed to the respect for the rule of law saying equal standards should apply to all EU countries as a way of enhancing mutual trust.

It must be clear that in the end, it is an independent judicial body not a political body that takes the final decision, which makes the quality of judiciary particularly important, he said.

Janša also said a step forward should be made in the Western Balkans, arguing that if the EU was not active, somebody else with different interests would be.

The Slovenian presidency will also focus on the freedom and plurality of the media, Janša said. He announced that on the European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Totalitarian Regimes on 23 August, Slovenia would host an international conference.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile stressed the role of values and the rule of law in her address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

She said the July EU summit showed how central they were, adding that ways of defending the EU's values and financial interests would be debated at the plenary on Wednesday.

Noting Slovenia chaired the EU for the first time in 2008 as the first newcomer from the 2004 enlargement wave, von der Leyen recalled Janša's words from that time that Slovenia was willing to do everything for the EU to be preserved, developed and strengthened.

She said this was still a noble mission which also entailed preserving diversity, media freedom and the rule of law and developing tools for the EU to be better prepared for future challenges.

Von der Leyen pointed to the role of trust, including in free media and independent courts, which she believes is also important for taxpayers, who finance post-pandemic recovery. She thus again urged Slovenia's presidency to make efforts for a prompt conformation of national recovery and resilience plans.

Turning to the Europeans' wish to end the pandemic, she said it was key to ensure effective vaccination, pledging the Commission will work together with the presidency to that effect. She concluded by saying "long live Europe".