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This summary is provided by the STA: 

Fit for 55 package in focus as Slovenia's EU presidency starts

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia presented to reporters in Brussels the priorities of its presidency of the Council of the EU with the Fit for 55 legislative package attracting the most interest. Slovenia's Permanent Representative to the EU Iztok Jarc said Slovenia hoped for a breakthrough in accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania by September to provide for a better atmosphere ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Slovenia on 6 October.

MEPs call on European Commission to take action on Slovenia

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Five MEPs and a German MP called on the European Commission and the European Council to take measures regarding the situation in Slovenia. They think that the Commission should trigger the mechanism under which funds are conditional upon the respect of the rule of law due to pressures on the media and judiciary. The call was made in a letter signed by MEPs Daniel Freund and Sergey Lagodinsky (Greens), Stelios Kuloglu (GUE/NGL), Ramona Strugariu (Renew) and Lara Wolters (S&D) and the German MP Franziska Brantner.

Koritnik calls for cross-Atlantic partnership in digitalisation

LJUBLJANA - Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik called for Europe to make use of cross-Atlantic partnership in its digital transformation as he took part in an online panel organised by the think-thank GMF, which was also attended by Andre de Aragao Azevedo, the Portuguese secretary of state for the digital transition, and Karan Bhatia, vice president for government affairs and public policy at Google. Koritnik argued that digital transformation and development of innovation in the EU would only be possible if Europe stayed open for new technologies and digital solutions.

Pahor to host Austrian and Croatian presidents in mid-July

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will host his Austrian and Croatian counterparts, Alexander Van der Bellen and Zoran Milanović, respectively, on 15 July. The trilateral meeting will discuss the future of the EU and challenges the bloc faces in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The presidents will focus on post-pandemic recovery that should be used as a stepping stone to environmentally-friendly sustainable development as much as possible, Pahor's office said.

Reserve police being called in ahead of EU presidency

LJUBLJANA - The government decided to call in reserve police to make up for absences as active police force members take on additional tasks to protect the events during Slovenia's presidency of the Council of the EU. The force also needs help to secure the border and to provide the security at sporting events. About 2,000 reserve police deployments are estimated to be required, with an additional 240 at the monthly level if checkpoints similar to those during the Covid-19 epidemic were required.

EBRD upgrades Slovenia's GDP forecast to 5% growth this year

LONDON, UK - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) upgraded by 1.5 percentage points its GDP growth forecast for Slovenia in 2021 to 5%. The institution expects that Slovenia's economy will expand by a further 4% next year. The bank said that the key factors of the Covid-related contraction were private consumption and investments, which were down 9.7% and 4.1%, respectively. Slovenia, as a small and open economy strongly integrated in global value chains, also felt shocks in international trade, although exports of goods started recovering by the end of last year, it added.

Slovenian army to test, train on Pipistrel aircraft

AJDOVŠČINA - Slovenian military pilots are to train on and test aircraft produced by the light aircraft maker Pipistrel under an agreement signed by Defence Minister Matej Tonin and Pipistrel director Ivo Boscarol in Ajdovščina. The sides also agreed a special partnership that includes efforts to obtain EU and NATO funds for development projects. Tonin said the Slovenian Armed Forces would be testing Pipistrel aircraft to become "greener" and contribute to greater representation of the Slovenian defence industry in the national defence system.

Brussels Airlines returns to Ljubljana airport

LJUBLJANA - Air carriers keep returning to Ljubljana airport as, after more than a one-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Brussels Airlines aircraft touched down at Brnik again on Monday. The Belgian flag carrier currently operates three flights a week to and from Ljubljana, and the number of flights is expected to increase. At first, the largest Belgian airline that returns to Ljubljana airport just about Slovenia is to assume the six-month EU presidency will be operating flights on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.

Slovenian-Chinese business cooperation discussed

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian-Chinese Business Council hosted a debate on opportunities of international companies in Slovenia in Chinese or mixed ownership and the experience of their Slovenian managers, who said that the experience was a positive one despite certain challenges. The debate also featured Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Chinese Ambassador Wang Shunqing, with the former assessing that China is the most important trade partner to Slovenia outside the EU.

Luka Koper shareholders get EUR 1.14 gross per share dividend

KOPER - The port operator Luka Koper will pay out dividends of EUR 1.14 gross per share as shareholders endorsed a counter-proposal by Slovenian Sovereign Holding. The decision means that EUR 15.96 million will be paid out for dividends, and the remaining EUR 30.64 million in distributable profit for 2020 will remains undistributed. Five Luka Koper supervisors, capital representatives, were appointed at at the initiative of the state assets custodian.

35 coronavirus cases confirmed on Monday

LJUBLJANA - Out of 1,643 PCR tests performed in Slovenia on Monday, 35 returned positive for the positivity rate of 2.1%. There were no Covid-19 deaths reported for the third day in a row, show fresh official data. The number of hospitalised patients dropped by three to 71 this morning, and the total of those in intensive care also fell by three to 19. The 7-day average of new cases now stands at 29 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population has dropped to 31.

Waters act debate hosted by Pahor expectedly hears divergent views

LJUBLJANA - A debate on the amended waters act ahead of the 11 July referendum, hosted by President Borut Pahor, saw the proponents and opponents of the changes expressing divergent views. The former believe that the state of waters will improve or at least not deteriorate, while the latter warned about various interpretation possibilities. The University of Ljubljana also joined the debate ahead of the referendum, saying that the changes enabled exceptions for construction on water land. Adding exceptions for construction on sensitive areas opposes the goals of the EU water directive, it added.

Ceremony at Holmec remembers first Slovenian police casualties

HOLMEC - A ceremony marking Police Day and the 30th anniversary of the independence war battle at the Holmec border crossing was held on Monday, noting the importance and achievements of the Slovenian police and the challenges ahead. On the occasion, the former border facility was named after the two police officers who fell in the battle. President Borut Pahor said at the ceremony that Holmec was a symbol of determination, courage and sacrifice of Slovenian police officers, who together with the Territorial Defence had managed to defend the border crossing.

20 years since agreement on succession to Yugoslavia signed

LJUBLJANA - It is exactly 20 years since an agreement was signed by the countries successors to Yugoslavia to divide the obligations and property of the former common state. The office of the high representative for succession has told the STA that Slovenia is constantly striving for active resolution of open issues. The agreement, mediated by the international community, was signed on 29 June 2001 in Vienna by the foreign ministers of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (legal successor is Serbia) and Macedonia (now North Macedonia).

President to decorate Pogačar, Roglič and Garnbret

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor will decorate riders Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič and climber Janja Garnbret with the Golden Order of Merit for their exceptional sporting achievements, for establishing Slovenia in global sports and for being an inspiration to people, his office announced. Roglič and Pogačar rank at the top of the UCI rankings, while Garnbret is a serious contender for gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the first time that climbing will be included in the Games.

STA, 29 June 2021 - Air carriers keep returning to Ljubljana airport as, after more than a one-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Brussels Airlines aircraft touched down at Brnik again on Monday. The flag carrier of Belgium currently operates three flights a week to and from Ljubljana, and the number of flights is expected to increase.

Brussels Airlines thus returns to Ljubljana airport just as Slovenia is to assume the six-month EU presidency.

At first, the largest Belgian airline will be operating flights on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, and the schedule is due to expand depending on the demand, the airport operator Fraport Slovenija announced on Tuesday.

Fraport Slovenija director Zmago Skobir welcomed the direct link with Brussels, saying that "we are happy that Brussels Airlines has responded to the demand for flights resulting from the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU."

Skobir hopes that cabin occupancy in the initial period will be good and that the airline will add extra flights.

To be welcomed in the afternoon for the first time at Brnik is the Air Montenegro carrier, which will for the time being connect Ljubljana and the Montenegrin seaside resort of Tivat twice a week.

In September, the carrier intends to expand the offering with flights to the capital of Podgorica.

Eight other carriers currently operate flights from Ljubljana: Aeroflot to Moscow, Air France to Paris, Air Serbia to Belgrade, LOT Polish Airlines to Warsaw, Lufthansa to Frankfurt, SunExpress to Antalya, Transavia to Amsterdam and Turkish Airlines to Istanbul.

According to Fraport Slovenija, the existing providers are to be joined over the summer by Wizz Air (Brussels-Charleroi), British Airways (London Heathrow) and Easyjet (London Gatwick), Swiss International Airlines (Zürich), Israir (Tel Aviv), Iberia (Madrid) and Flydubai (Dubai).

The company added that the number of charter flights was also expected to increase, with the most attractive destinations being the Greek islands, Antalya, Djerba, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Barcelona, Madeira and Tenerife.

STA, 29 June 2021 - It is exactly 20 years on Tuesday since an agreement was signed by the countries successors to Yugoslavia to divide the obligations and property of the former common state. The office of the high representative for succession has told the STA that Slovenia is constantly striving for active resolution of open issues.

The agreement, mediated by the international community, was signed on 29 June 2001 in Vienna by the foreign ministers of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (legal successor is Serbia) and Macedonia (now North Macedonia).

Ten years after the break-up of Yugoslavia, it was the first succession agreement, and a peace treaty of sorts, as it was the first agreement to be signed by all five successors. It entered into force three years later, when it was ratified by Croatia as the last country to do so in June 2004.

The agreement regulates division of movable and immovable property of the former Yugoslavia, consular and diplomatic representations, financial issues, archives, social security, pensions, private property and acquired rights.

The shares obtained by Slovenia in various fields reach from 14% to 16.39%, and constant talks and negotiations are taking place in relation to the implementation of the agreement both between the successors and with third countries.

On the occasion of the anniversary, the office of the high representative for succession Miha Pogačnik said that Slovenia and its authorised representatives were constantly striving for active resolution of open succession issues.

These are unresolved issues from the past, whose closure would contribute to reconciliation and improvement of regional cooperation, it said.

Slovenia has already received the bulk of the financial property of the former Yugoslavia it is entitled to in the forms of cash, gold and other precious metals, foreign currency deposits in foreign commercial banks and securities.

This property obtained by Slovenia is estimated at a total of EUR 220 million, and does not include the Triglav patrol boat that was acquired in 2011 as part of a clearing debt from Russia.

Slovenia has also obtained 83% of the former diplomatic and consular offices of the former Yugoslavia it is entitled to - in Washington, Rome, Milan, Klagenfurt, Brasilia, Morocco, Mali, Tanzania and Guyana.

The country got around US$3.5 million from the sale of a residence in New York and the embassies in Tokyo and Bonn that the successor countries have sold together. The procedures to sell the building of the former embassy in Bern and the permanent representation in New York are under way.

Slovenia has so far also taken over around 230 works of art by Slovenian artists that were located in diplomatic and consular representations around the world.

It has also assumed more than 100 original copies of international treaties signed by the former Yugoslavia that relate exclusively to the territory of present-day Slovenia, and documentation related to borders with Italy, Austria and Hungary.

The office of the high representative for succession also noted that Slovenia is the initiator of a project to digitalise the joint archival material of the former Yugoslavia that would enable all successors to access copies.

At the last meeting of the high representatives in November 2019 in Zagreb, all successors endorsed the proposal from Slovenia that funds for the project are obtained also from international financial resources.

The office also emphasised as an important achievement the start of talks with Serbia about the succession to cultural heritage items located in institutions of Serbia and that, in accordance with the agreement, belong to Slovenia.

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.

This summary is provided by the STA: 

Tonin announces purchase of German armoured vehicles Boxer

LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Matej Tonin informed his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as she visited Slovenia that the government would purchase German eight-wheeled armoured fighting vehicles Boxer for the Slovenian Armed Forces. The ministers called for greater cooperation and announced a mixed task force. They agreed that cooperation between Slovenia and Germany had been very good, highlighting wiggle room for strengthening cooperation in defence. Kramp-Karrenbauer was also received by President Borut Pahor.

Logar meets Blinken on sidelines of anti-Daesh ministerial

ROME, Italy - Foreign Minister Anže Logar took part in the ministerial session of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh in Rome, pledging Slovenia's commitment to enhanced cooperation against the militant group also known as ISIS. Logar also met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The Foreign Ministry said the meeting with Blinken confirmed the continuation of the strategic relationship between Slovenia and the US and the resolve to enhance cooperation in the face of global challenges. With Stoltenberg they noted Slovenia's increasing contribution to NATO.

Speaker advocates accelerating EU enlargement

BRUSSELS, Belgium - National Assembly Speaker Igor Zorčič said Slovenia would seek to accelerate the enlargement process during its presidency of the Council of the EU as he took part in the summit between the European Parliament and parliamentary speakers from the Western Balkans in Brussels, which noted the role of parliaments in the enlargement process. Speaker said the debate showed "the idea of the enlargement process is still very much alive and enjoys support in the broader parliamentary segment".

Parliament's interpretation of evidence destruction provisions unconstitutional

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court ruled that the interpretation by the National Assembly of the provisions of the criminal procedure act that instruct destruction of evidence obtained by means of covert surveillance if no criminal prosecution is initiated in two years after evidence is obtained is unconstitutional. In the case where objective circumstances existed that prevented the state prosecutor to file a request for criminal prosecution in time, the investigating judge should extend the deadline for the preservation of evidence for a maximum of two years, the court said.

Pahor nominates academician for Constitutional Court judge

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor nominated law professor Janez Kranjc, an associate member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU), for a vacancy on the Constitutional Court. Pahor's office described Kranjc as a highly esteemed law expert both at home and abroad. A professor at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana and Maribor, Kranjc has served three times as the dean of the Ljubljana Faculty of Law and chaired the European Law Faculties Association. He has won top state decorations in Slovenia, France and Austria and honorary PhDs from foreign universities.

PM Janša decorated by Slovenian World Congress

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janša attended on Sunday a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the first session of the Slovenian World Congress where a commemorative plaque was unveiled. He was presented with a distinction awarded to individuals and institutions whose activities strengthen the national consciousness of their compatriots. The Slovenian World Congress pointed out that even before Slovenia's independence, Janša had been establishing ties with Slovenians in neighbouring countries and around the world, making them feel that they belonged to the Slovenian nation.

Supervision ordered over police work at Friday's protest

LJUBLJANA - Police Commissioner Anton Olaj ordered supervision of the work of the Ljubljana Police Administration in policing Friday's alternative celebration of Statehood Day by anti-government protesters in Ljubljana's Prešeren Square. He has said there is suspicion as to whether all protesters were treated the same. This was after members of the far-right Yellow Wets were escorted away by police at the start of the rally, which attracted some 9,000 people by police estimates. PM Janez Janša called for an investigation into the incident on Saturday.

Govt to give EUR 845,000 advance to STA under certain conditions

LJUBLJANA - The government, acting as the STA's sole shareholder, asked its communication office to transfer a EUR 845,000 advance to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) for the expected expenses related to the performance of public service once the STA provides UKOM with access into business documentation for the last ten years and if a contract on public service is signed. The advance is to transferred within three days following the day the STA director allows authorised persons of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) to access the documentation and if the contract for 2021 is signed by then. The STA director said the STA would have sent all business information and documents to UKOM long ago had it demanded it in a legal way.

Compromise agreement on 2023-2027 CAP acceptable for Slovenia

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - The EU agriculture ministers confirmed in Luxembourg a compromise agreement on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2023-2027 that paves the way for a greener, more sustainable and fairer CAP. Slovenia's Jože Podgoršek said the proposal was acceptable, although it could have been better. He said it was a true compromise proposal given that no one was completely satisfied with it, and that all but four member states had supported the proposal.

Brestanica Thermal Plant inaugurates new gas-fired unit

BRESTANICA - The Brestanica Thermal Plant (TEB) inaugurated its seventh gas unit in an investment valued at EUR 26.4 million. Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Janez Janša said the investment further established the Posavje region as "Slovenia's major energy region". He finds it important that the new unit is environmentally acceptable and economically efficient. The 56-megawatt Unit 7 and the 53-megawatt Unit 6, which has been in operation since 2018, will replace three lower capacity units that are nearing the end of their lifespan.

Only 12 new coronavirus cases on Sunday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 12 new coronavirus infections for Sunday and no Covid-19 deaths, show the latest government figures. The 7-day average of new cases fell from 37 to 32 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population dropped by one to 35. The latest cases come from 648 PCR tests with the positivity rate standing at 1.9%. The number of patients in hospital decreased by one to 74 after six were discharged home, and the number of ICU cases also fell by one to 22.

Slovenian researchers publish in Nature Communications

LJUBLJANA - Researchers of the biospeleology group of the Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty published in the Nature Communications journal an article which, according to the principal author Špela Borko, shows for the first time that "descendants of the ancient explosions of evolution may also be found in Europe, if you look in the right spot - underground". In the article titled Subterranean adaptive radiation of amphipods in Europe, the researchers of the Department of Biology at the faculty reconstructed the course of evolution of 45 billion-year-old subterranean amphipod genus.

Bust to Slovenian director unveiled in Zagreb theatre

ZAGREB, Croatia - Bojan Stupica, a Slovenian actor, director and set designer, was honoured with a bust at the foyer of the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Zagreb at an event that marked Slovenia Statehood Day and the 30th anniversary of independence. The ceremony was also attended by Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch, who also met representatives of the Slovenian cultural association Slovenski Dom (Slovenian Home) in Zagreb, who gave the initiative for the unveiling of the bust.

15th Mountain Film Festival kicks off

DOMŽALE - The 15th Mountain Film Festival started in Domžale near Ljubljana, featuring 33 films from 19 countries in four categories: mountaineering, climbing, mountain nature and culture, and sports and adventure. Until Sunday, the festival will bring a plethora of productions on wild animals and epic stories from the Himalayas. The programme includes many foreign award-winning films along with a number of Slovenian productions.

STA  - Slovenia test-introduced the European digital Covid certificate last Thursday, June 24, while the system will be fully up and running this week.

For registered uses with digital identity, the certificate is now available on the zVem portal.

Make Sure You Have a “Digital Identity” to Get Your EU COVID Travel Certificate

Those who have been vaccinated with both jabs, or with one in case of the single-dose vaccines, will receive the certificate to their home address by 30 June.

A few days later, those who have already recovered from Covid-19 and those vaccinated with only one jab will also receive it.

The certificate which some 900,000 persons are to receive to their home addresses will be the same as the one that can be downloaded from zVen and printed.

The certificate has a QR code enabling simple checking of data about vaccination, test results or reconvalescence.

Poklukar said that in the coming days, police will start using special devices to check the certificates on the border.

In July, an app will be available for access to the zVem system so that "one will have one's digital certificate in one's phone", he said.

No later than 1 July, a digital coronavirus certificate could also be obtained at vaccination and testing points around the country.

People will also have an option of having it printed for up to two euros at most of the pharmacies.

Poklukar is happy that all EU member states have managed to introduce the digital certificate, which he believes will enable all citizens to travel more freely.

He stressed, however, that the digital certificate did not yet mean free entry to all EU countries because countries decide on entry rules on their own.

The minister once again called on people to get vaccinated to successfully weather the challenge of the fourth, autumn, wave of the epidemic.

"Let's join forces to get vaccinated. For our common well-being and to the benefit of all. Stay well, Slovenia," he said, as he draw a parallel between the challenges times of the epidemic and the period when Slovenia became independent.

Visit the zVem website

STA, 28 June 2021 - The government has asked its communication office to transfer a EUR 845,000 advance to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) for the expected expenses related to the performance of public service once the STA provides UKOM with access into business documentation for the last ten years and if a contract on public service is signed.

The advance must be transferred within three days following the day the STA director allows authorised persons of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) to access the documentation and if the contract for 2021 is signed by then.

The proposals from the government as the sole founder and shareholder of the national press agency were confirmed at the annual general meeting today.

STA director Bojan Veselinovič is obligated to allow authorised representatives of UKOM immediate access to data and information about the internal organisational and accounting and financial structure of business processes and access to the entire documentation on financial operations since 28 June 2011.

On the other hand, with the purpose of "ensuring comprehensive and undisrupted performance of public service", the government asked UKOM director Uroš Urbanija to transfer to the STA a EUR 845,000 advance for the expected expenses related to the performance of public service.

Another condition is that the STA sign by then with UKOM director a contract for the performance of public service for 2021 and provides public availability of the content on the website that corresponds to the public service from the relevant legal act.

The final and overall amount of compensation for the performance of public service since 1 January will be established by UKOM in accordance with the relevant regulation that has been recently adopted.

The government also instructed Veselinovič to withdraw within 48 hours the lawsuit seeking payment for the public service from UKOM at the Ljubljana District Court, and to report about this to UKOM.

In a press release issued after the meeting, UKOM said it was the government's duty to see to efficient use of the taxpayers' money, while the agency's duty was to use the money as efficiently as possible and to keep the government comprehensively up to date on the spending.

UKOM finds that most of the STA's online content is only available to subscribers and free access is only available to short news ledes, so most of the public exert their right to being informed by reading the web portals of other providers, which provide full summaries of news reports for free as they pay for the commercial services provided by the STA.

The release sad the government pegged the financing of the public service to the scope of the public service performed under the STA business plan in order to expand the scope of the public service provided.

"If the government provided the fee for the public service in advance as so far, it would renounce the only mechanism allowing it to check to what extent the STA business plan has in fact been implemented, nor could it encourage the STA to its increased implementation," UKOM said.

UKOM says it hopes the STA management and supervisory board would realise the STA's mission is to strengthen the public service rather than increase commercial activities. The government detailed such mode of financing in the decree on the STA public service, which had to be aligned with EU law.

UKOM also "condemned in the strongest terms" as misleading the STA management's interpreting the government's demand to report on the use of the taxpayers' money as the government's interference in editorial policy.

Veselinovič welcomed the "government's announcement that it will supposedly end the suspension of financing of the STA", saying the STA would have sent all business information and documents to UKOM long ago had it demanded it in a legal way.

He said that it was only at today's shareholders meeting that the government had legally authorised UKOM to gain insight into the STA documentation, although the documentation had been in the government building since April.

"Once UKOM tells us what information about the operations of the STA in the past decade it wants and in what way, the STA will send it. We have no problems whatsoever with this, as the STA operates transparently and it is scrutinised by authorised auditors."

As for the new contract, Veselinovič said that the law "stipulates financing of the STA in accordance with the adopted business plan for this year regardless of whether a contract has been signed or not."

Regarding the call on the director to withdraw the lawsuit seeking payment for the public service from UKOM, he said that the STA management would consult legal experts about this.

After the STA receives the 845,000 advance, it will withdraw the proposal for the court to order UKOM to make due payments for public service before the final decision is made, because the liquidity of the agency will no longer be at risk, he added.

The Association of Slovenian Journalists (DNS) repeated that the government has a duty under two pieces of legislation to pay the STA for the public service, describing additional conditions that are being set for the financing and which would increase the UKOM director's control over the STA's operations as extortion.

"The government must be aware it is overstepping its legal powers, but counts on it that being in a financial pinch, the STA will be forced to consent to its terms," the DNS said, adding it would follow the developments further.

The STA has been without government payment for its public service for 179 days.

STA, 28 June 2021 - Slovenia reported 12 new coronavirus infections for Sunday and no Covid-19 deaths, show the latest government figures. The 7-day average of new cases fell from 37 to 32 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population dropped by one to 35.

The latest cases come from 648 PCR tests with the positivity rate standing at 1.9%. A total of 6,644 rapid antigen tests were also performed yesterday with all positives there double checked with PCR method.

The number of patients in hospital decreased by one to 74 this morning after six were discharged home, and the number of ICU cases also fell by one to 22.

According to an estimate by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), there are now 774 active cases in Slovenia, down from 785 the day before.

See the latest data here

STA, 28 June 2021 - A new summer-long bus route from Velenje to the picturesque Logarska Valley has been established by Velenje, Šoštanj and Šmartno ob Paki municipalities and the spa Terme Topolšica. The bus service will operate in July and August, providing spaces for transporting up to ten bicycles as well.

The “Bicikel bus” service will run twice a day during the weekends. The fare depends on the distance travelled, whereas bicycle transport is free-of-charge. The bus is also available to non-cyclists, said the Velenje Municipality.

Monthly expenses for the Bicycle Bus amount to just over EUR 2,700 and will be divided equally between project partners. Tickets reservations are not available just yet, but if the pilot project proves successful, it will continue and expand further.

The Velenje Municipality also provided EUR 2,500 in annual funding for another bus service, the Štrekna Bus, providing transport between Velenje and the lake in Lavamünd, Austria, a popular swimming site. This project is also co-funded by municipalities along the route and Austrian partners. The line opens on 1 July and will operate during the weekends for the next three months.

The aim of organising such public transport is to enable a car-free access to Dravograd, Upper Savinja Valley and Logarska Valley, thus reducing traffic in the area. At the same time the Velenje Municipality wants to offer a no-stress trip opportunity, help lower the carbon footprint and promote an active way of discovering nature.

More details are here (Slovene only, but an update website), while a PDF in English and Slovene is here

STA, 28 June 2021 - Melania Trump, former US First Lady, has not made it to the latest list of 100 most influential Slovenians even though she topped it last year. She has been unseated by Prime Minister Janez Janša, who unlike her appreciates power, says the weekly Reporter. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin is in second place, followed by President Borut Pahor.

Reporter's latest commentary notes that Janša knows what it means to be "powerless or at least far away from levers of power" and he "will not repeat mistakes by his inexperienced predecessor Marjan Šarec", meaning he will not give up the prime minister post by taking any risks.

Soon after he took over as prime minister, Janša demonstrated that "there is likely no one in the country who can exert their influence" like him. Just for the sake of comparison, Šarec did not top the list when he was prime minister and currently he is not even the most influential opposition leader on the list.

Čeferin is meanwhile "the only person whom Janša sees as a threat, and he is not even a politician". "If he decided to enter Slovenian politics before the next election, he would most probably form the next Slovenian government."

Coming in third, Pahor remains quite influential not due to his moderate stances, but because of his senior post and political experience.

Speaker Igor Zorčič also stands out, having significantly increased his influence as a result of his defection from the coalition SMC and successful efforts to withstand attempts by the coalition to unseat him.

More than a year of the Janša government and pandemic has reduced influence of some "backstage decision makers", whereas a larger number of doctors has made it to the list in an expected turn of events, says the commentary headlined Goodbye, Melania.

The full list can be seen in the magazine, now available on newsstands

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.

This summary is provided by the STA: 

Slovenian emigrants praised for contribution to independence

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša and the first prime minister of the independent Slovenia, Lojze Peterle, noted the vital role that the Slovenian diaspora played in the independence efforts, as they addressed the 27th annual get-together of Slovenians living abroad. The gathering, held at St Stanislav's Institution in the Šentvid borough, marked the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence. Janša said it was the emigrants that fostered the belief in a democratic Slovenia when their native country was subject to purges and they helped greatly with the diplomatic efforts.

Janša calls independence core value of nation

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša discussed the values of independence as well as what he called high treason in an interview with the commercial broadcaster Nova24TV on Saturday, saying that while independence never divided the nation it did divide politics, owning to those for whom an independent Slovenia was not an "intimate option". Janša said independence time continued as the value core of the Slovenian nation as even many non-ethnic Slovenians voted for independence in the 1990 plebiscite.

Coronavirus average keeps falling

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 19 new coronavirus cases for Saturday, as the 7-day average of new cases dropped by one from the day before to 37. The government also reported zero deaths. 857 PCR tests were performed yesterday for a positivity rate of 2.2%. The cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents decreased by a further four to 36. Hospitalisations rose by one to 75, even as the number of patients in intensive care dropped by one to 23.

Slovenia removed from Germany's Covid risk list

BERLIN, Germany - Slovenia as a whole is no longer listed as a Covid risk area by Germany starting from Sunday, which means those who arrive in Germany from Slovenia by land can enter without restrictions. Regardless of where they come from, air passengers must still present a negative test result or proof of vaccination or recovery before boarding their flight. The change in Slovenia's status comes after parts of the country were already removed from the list of risk areas in mid-June.

Koroška RV maker strikes deal with Ralf Schumacher

SLOVENJ GRADEC - Robeta, the Koroška-based company specialising in building custom-made camper vans, has been seeing a surge in demand and sales for the past year. Now they expect to expand their presence in the European and global markets further as they entered a partnership with Ralf Schumacher, the former Formula One racing driver. The company will develop a limited edition of recreational vehicles (RV) based on Schumacher's proposals, initially putting put 50 vans a year.

City and uni join in Maribor Pride Parade

MARIBOR - Maribor held its second Pride Parade on Saturday, a week after a similar event was held in Ljubljana, with the city's local authorities and the university joining. The organizers said they had distributed all the 300 promotional bracelets among the participants, as many more people took part. Urban Bren, the vice-chancellor of the University of Maribor, said the rainbow flag on the chancellor's office was a sign "that we are an open and welcoming university in an open and welcoming town".

Poet Josip Osti dies

TOMAJ - Josip Osti, a Sarajevo-born poet, writer and translator who earned international acclaim for his literary work as well as praise for his efforts in linking different cultures, died in his home town of Tomaj at the age of 76. Born in Sarajevo in 1945, Osti named for himself as a poet and translator of Slovenian literature in his native country before moving to Slovenia in 1990. He started writing his own work in Slovene in 1995. He won several awards, including the Vilenica Prize in 1994.

Slovenia end up 4th in Volleyball Nations League

RIMINI, Italy - Slovenia finished 4th in their debut appearance in the FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League after conceding to France in the match for the third spot 0:3 (-20, -18, -19). The national side made history by advancing to the semi-finals of the league, having won 12 out of 15 matches in the preliminary round, ranking third among semifinalists, but they then lost to world champions Poland on Saturday and France on Sunday.