STA, 21 May 2021 - A digital green certificate proving a person has been vaccination against Covid, received a negative test result or recovered from Covid will be available to Slovenian residents no later than at the end of June, the Government Communication Office (UKOM) said on Friday after the government discussed ongoing activity to issue it.

To receive the digital document, which should facilitate safe travel within the EU, a person will have to have SMSPass mobile identity or a digital certificate.

The document will be created as part of the eHealth system on the basis of data from the central register of data about patients, and available on the zVEM portal.

Healthcare providers which have access to the central register will be able to access it alongside authorised staff at the National Institute of Public Health, who could issue the digital document upon request.

The government tasked the Public Administration Ministry to speed up efforts to enable as many residents as possible to obtain a safe mobile identity.

The ministry must thus enable residents to submit the application form for SMSPass at several points across the country.

Learn more about the SMSPass, in English

Apart from the green certificate, a vaccination booklet proving one has been vaccinated or a doctor's note will also suffice to enable one to freely pass the border.

But since the digital green certificate will be easy to check, resulting in a faster and simpler procedure at the border, the government expects many residents will want to have as soon as possible, UKOM said after the government's correspondence session.

What follows is a weekly review of events involving Slovenia, as prepared by the STA.

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FRIDAY, 14 May
        LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Matej Tonin announced a new concept of basic training for the Slovenian Armed Forces, designed as a single entry point for those interested in either voluntary or professional service. For the whole 13 weeks of training, recruits will get a pay of roughly EUR 3,200.
        LJUBLJANA - Trade union confederations said they had decided to leave the Economic and Social Council (ESS) because the government had practically abolished social dialogue and thus deprived them of the seats at the negotiating table. Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj regretted the decision.
        LJUBLJANA - An Israeli flag was hoisted along the Slovenian and EU flags on the Slovenian government building as an expression of solidarity with Israel, with the government "condemning the terrorist attacks and standing by Israel." President Borut Pahor and parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič expressed disagreement, and move was also criticised by the Palestinian ambassador to Slovenia and the Muslim Community of Slovenia.
        LJUBLJANA - Boštjan Vasle, the governor of Slovenia's central bank, said in an interview with the STA he thinks the key challenge of the post-Covid recovery will be to get the timing of the end of extraordinary monetary policy measures right. "We have to be mindful not to withdraw [the measures] too quickly."
        LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said Slovenia thought it was essential that the EU digital green certificate, which is designed to facilitate cross-border travel, be implemented by 1 July. If that does not happen, member states will be forced to resort to national solutions.
        LJUBLJANA - Economist Mojmir Mrak criticised for Mladina the content and the drawing up of the national recovery and resilience plan. He feels that the measures are not sufficiently oriented towards development and productivity, and that the government showed distrust towards experts and public in the process.
        POLJČE - A memorial plaque was unveiled marking a key meeting in May 1991 that set the guidelines for Slovenia's defence in the independence war that followed in June. PM Janez Janša said at the ceremony that all those at the meeting knew Slovenia declaring independence would result in a clash with the Yugoslav People's Army.
        LJUBLJANA - FM Anže Logar met his Andorran counterpart Maria Ubach Font, with the pair agreeing that the cooperation between Slovenia and Andorra could be enhanced in agriculture and high-tech as the areas with the most potential.
        LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed amendments to the act on communicable diseases that bring fines of between EUR 400 and EUR 4,000 for those who ignore orders to quarantine. Police may issue quarantine orders on arrival in the country.
        
SATURDAY, 15 May
        IG - Slovenian Armed Forces Day was marked at a ceremony remembering the day 30 years ago when Slovenian conscripts started serving exclusively in Slovenia, with President Borut Pahor, the commander-in-chief, praising the army as a military pillar of national security. The event was attended by PM Janez Janša, Defence Minister Matej Tonin and Maj-Gen Robert Glavaš, chief of the general staff.
        LJUBLJANA - Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said in an interview with the newspaper Dnevnik that the European Commission was worried about the situation in Slovenia, chiefly about media freedom, noting that Brussels had never before treated Slovenia as a problematic member as it did now.
        LJUBLJANA - Media reported that several small radio stations with special status, as well as the newspapers Delo and Dnevnik, had lost the state's financial support provided under the Culture Ministry's annual co-funding scheme. Especially for the small radio stations this is bound to cause serious financial problems.
        LJUBLJANA - Certain easing of coronavirus restrictions kicked in, with up to 50 persons being allowed to gather for organised public events and rallies. Quarantine can be again short-stopped after five days in case of a negative PCR test.

SUNDAY, 16 May
        SAN FLORIANO DEL COLLIO - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch visited the Slovenian community in Italy's San Floriano del Collio, with locals assuring the government representative that "as proud Slovenians, they are not letting go of the Slovenian language and culture." As part of the visit in the Province of Gorizia, Jaklitsch met Mayor Franca Padovan and representatives of the local cultural associations.
        LUČE - PM Janez Janša was honoured by the Skala mountaineering club for his contribution to the promotion of the club's values and goals. The association said Janša had received the Kocbek Prize for his "visionary and selfless work, as well as his numerous initiatives and exemplary persistence on the way to establishing the club Skala".

MONDAY, 17 May
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - President Borut Pahor hosted a summit of the Brdo-Brijuni Process featuring his counterparts from Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia and the presiding trio of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Marking the 10th anniversary of the initiative, the summit adopted the Brdo Declaration in which the leaders reaffirm their commitment to EU enlargement, and urge the EU to speed up the process to include the whole region in the bloc.
        LJUBLJANA/BERLIN, Germany - Prime Minister Janez Janša held a videoconference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and vaccination. The pair also talked about Slovenia's EU presidency priorities, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Western Balkans.
        LJUBLJANA - In an unprecedented event, the National Assembly failed to endorse the agenda proposed for the May plenary session, including a vote on the motion to impeach PM Janez Janša and on the proposal to dismiss Igor Zorčič as the speaker, with 42 MPs voting in favour and 42 against. In response, the centre-left coalition filed for a session to discuss impeachment, while the coalition requested a session to vote on most other items on the agenda, except for the vote on Zorčič and opposition bills. Both will be held next week.
        LJUBLJANA - Further easing of anti-coronavirus restrictions kicked in, as all secondary school and university students returned to in-person schooling, a limited number of spectators is permitted at sports events and opening hours for hospitality establishments were extended to 5am-10pm.
        LJUBLJANA - The college of deputy groups confirmed a new breakdown of seats in the working bodies of the National Assembly to assign seats in a total of 12 bodies to the four unaffiliated MPs. The centre-left opposition later continued to insist that the new breakdown did not reflect the actual balance of power between the coalition and opposition, noting the opposition was still eight seats short.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs took part in a session of the Schengen Forum, saying that Slovenia as the presiding country of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021 would make an effort to strengthen the Schengen Area.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament confirmed that Slovenia had cancelled a Slovenian art show that had been scheduled to be held in Brussels during Slovenia's EU presidency. Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti said the decision was his because he had not been informed of the details in time.
        LJUBLJANA - The latest Vox Populi poll showed that the support for the Janez Janša government hit its lowest point so far as 70.2% said they thought the government was not doing its job well. Meanwhile, the ruling Democrats (SDS) remained in the lead at 18%, followed by the opposition SocDems, at 13%.
        LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Intelligence and Security Services (KNOVS) announced it would file a criminal complaint against former PM Marjan Šarec, his ex-aide Damir Črnčec and former head of the SOVA intelligence agency Rajko Kozmelj on suspicion of abuse of office in hiring Šarec's acquaintance at SOVA.
        LJUBLJANA - The tourism company Sava Turizem said it generated last year EUR 55.2 million in sales revenue, which is 47% less than in the year before. It generated more than a quarter of the revenue from tourism vouchers.
        LJUBLJANA - The average gross pay in March was EUR 2,010, up 3.3% nominally and 3% in real terms compared to February. The average net pay for March was EUR 1,291, which was 3% higher nominally and 2.7% higher in real terms, the Statistics Office said.
        
TUESDAY, 18 May
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - FM Anže Logar called for EU unity and active engagement towards finding a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as he took part in a session of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council. A political solution based on negotiations is the only way to achieve just and lasting peace based on the two-state principle, he added.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak announced that a demanding legislative package to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and biodiversity will be at the core of Slovenia's EU presidency priorities in the field of environment in the second half of 2021.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec presented the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency to her EU counterparts, saying Slovenia would strive for the young to be heard, for everyone to obtain quality education and for the European model of sports.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti met Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Youth Mariya Gabriel to present the relevant priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency. The innovative potential of culture and the competitiveness of European culture will be at the forefront, he said.
        LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar announced that student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible.
        LJUBLJANA - The trade union representing professional firefighters announced it was preparing for a strike after its calls for implementing the 2018 strike-averting agreement had been completely ignored by the government. The Defence Ministry said it intended to resume the negotiations as soon as possible.
        LJUBLJANA - The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, an NGO offering legal support to individuals and organisations that find themselves in legal proceedings because of their non-violent public activity, filed a criminal complaint against the head of the Government Communication Office (UKOM) over suspension of funding to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).
        LJUBLJANA - The government approved the Chinese-owned group Hisense Europe Electronics EUR 1 million in non-refundable funds for its TV production plant at the existing Gorenje operation in Velenje. "The project crucially contributes to regional development through creation of new and preservation of existing jobs," the government said.
        LJUBLJANA - The insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav reported a group net profit increase of 18% in the first quarter to EUR 26.6 million as gross written revenue increased by 7% over the year before to almost EUR 372 million. Gross claims paid amounted to EUR 171.3 million, down by 4% year-on-year, the company said in an earnings release.
        ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - Slovenia's entry to the 2021 Eurovision song contest, a power ballad by Ana Soklič entitled Amen, failed to make it to the competition's final. Soklič was chosen to represent Slovenia this year as she did not get the chance to do that in 2020.
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WEDNESDAY, 19 May
        BERLIN, Germany - German FM Heiko Maas pledged Germany's support to Slovenia during the latter's presidency of the Council of the EU ahead of his meeting with Slovenia's Anže Logar. He highlighted the importance of the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans and the rule of law, while Logar said Slovenia would propose regular EU summits with Western Balkan countries.
        BELGRADE, Serbia - Migration in the Western Balkans, security and police cooperation topped the agenda as Interior Minister Aleš Hojs met his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin. The pair agreed that the key challenges were mainly the inability to return migrants to their countries of origin or transit countries, and abuses of the asylum system.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - After meeting European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee chair David McAllister and heads of political groups in the European Parliament, FM Anže Logar was critical of some Slovenian MEPs for what he described as "attempts to put Slovenia in a pillory", including in relation to the issues of media freedom or STA funding.
        LJUBLJANA - A civil initiative opposing the latest amendments to the waters act submitted almost 48,500 signatures in support of its initiative to hold a referendum on the law, which was passed at the end of March. The National Assembly must now meet to formally call a referendum in seven days.
        CERKLJE OB KRKI - The first stage of modernisation of the Cerklje ob Krki air base has been completed. Worth EUR 72.5 million, of which NATO contributed EUR 41 million, the project involved the construction of a control tower, apron and a helipad, and installation of an instrument landing system, lighting system and navigation and meteorological equipment.
        LJUBLJANA - Marta Grgič Vitek, the national vaccination coordinator, said that a quarter of residents at the minimum have had one dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 in all Slovenia's regions. In some regions the share is nearing 30%.
        LJUBLJANA - Doctors from a group called zdravstvo.si left a Health Ministry task force in charge of amending public procurement procedures in healthcare because their proposal to eliminate price anomalies in procurement of medical devices has not been welcomed.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenian banks posted a cumulative profit after tax of EUR 95 million for the first quarter, up 61% over the same period last year. Pre-tax profit rose by half to almost EUR 105 million, show central bank data.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's 22-year-old cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar confirmed he will be able to race at the Tour of Slovenia, which will take place from 9 to 13 June, as he prepares to defend his 2020 title in the Tour de France.
        
THURSDAY, 20 May
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - PM Janez Janša and President Borut Pahor argued for making discussion within the Conference on the Future of Europe as inclusive as possible, as they addressed an opening debate on the topic. The same view was aired by some other participants, who advocated for pluralism in the bloc.
        LJUBLJANA - Following the government's decision to withdraw Slovenia's troops deployed in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, the six Slovenian soldiers returned home via Italy, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) said. Their return marks the end of Slovenia's mission in Afghanistan.
        POSTOJNA - Prime Minister Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin visited the SAF main training grounds in Poček to take a look at the Slovenian part of the ongoing all-European military exercise Defender Europe 2021. Also reviewing the exercise led by the US forces was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters.
        BRESTANICA - A Eurocopter Tiger helicopter of the Spanish Armed Forces hit an overhead power line during the military exercise Adriatic Strike, the SAF said. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing. Nobody was injured. The cause of the incident has not been established yet, the Defence Ministry said.
        BERLIN, Germany - FM Anže Logar concluded a two-day working visit to Germany by meeting representatives of the German parliament. He presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities and the European perspective for the Western Balkans to the president of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, the ministry said.
        LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar called for coordination of measures to form guidance for travel and crossing the borders within the EU, as he addressed a virtual informal meeting of EU health ministers. He also urged a fair global distribution of vaccines against Covid-19.
        NOVO MESTO - Drug maker Krka, which had a record 2020, saw group revenue decline by 14% in the first quarter of this year to EUR 395.8 million. Net profit rose by 1% to a record EUR 86.4 million. CEO Jože Colarič described the Q1 performance as "successful and according to our expectations".
        LJUBLJANA - Insurance group Sava saw group net profit rise by 128% in the first quarter to EUR 23.5 million, mostly as a result of past takeovers and positive operations in all of its segments. The profit represents over 44% of the target for the year.

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: 

Significant easing of restrictions on public events

LJUBLJANA - Restrictions on public events will be significantly eased from Saturday, and the convention industry will reopen from Monday under decisions taken by the government late on Thursday. The number of participants at sports or cultural events will now depend on capacity. Indoors, there must be at least one empty seat between each spectator and masks are mandatory. Outdoors, there has to be a metre's distance between them at a minimum. In libraries, archives, museums and galleries, the limit is one visitor per ten square metres.

Digital green certificate to be ready no later than end-June

LJUBLJANA - A digital green certificate proving a person has been vaccination against Covid, tested negative or recovered from Covid will be available to Slovenian residents no later than at the end of June, the Government Communication Office said after the government discussed the matter. To receive the digital document, which should facilitate safe travel within the EU, a person will have to have SMSPass mobile identity or a digital certificate. The Public Administration Ministry was tasked to speed up efforts to allow as many residents as possible to obtain a safe mobile identity.

Downward trend continues as 331 new cases recorded

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 331 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, down significantly from the week before, and the test positivity rate was 8%. Three persons died, the latest government data showed. Hospitalisations dropped significantly, to 348, but the number of patients in intensive care rose by one to 111. The 7-day average of daily new cases fell to 372 from 384. By yesterday almost 314,000 were fully vaccinated, 18% of the adult population.

Government names EU presidency spokespersons

LJUBLJANA - The government released the names of all 22 official spokespersons or press contacts for the country's coming EU presidency. Domen Petelin had been appointed the government's EU presidency spokesman. The official spokespersons should not be mistaken with chief or political spokespersons of Slovenia's EU presidency, that is Prime Minister Janez Janša, ministers or in some cases state secretaries, and the head of Slovenia's Permanent Representation in Brussels Iztok Jarc and his deputy Tamara Weingerl-Požar.

Vizjak talks EU presidency with Timmermans

LJUBLJANA - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak held a virtual meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans to present the priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency in the environment and climate change. They also touched on Fit for 55, a legislative package under the European Green Deal, and the Glasgow climate conference scheduled for November. Slovenia is to continue with steps aimed at making the EU a leading global player against climate change.

Slovenia welcomes ceasefire in Middle East

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Foreign Ministry welcomed on Twitter the ceasefire negotiated between Israel and Palestinian militants after the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East as "an encouraging development", but at the same time urged further efforts to reach a lasting political solution and peace. The ceasefire came into effect early on Friday morning after eleven days of airstrikes and rocket fire between Israel and Islamist group Hamas, which killed over 250 people.

Protesters serve govt ultimatum, back Palestinians

LJUBLJANA - Friday's anti-government protesters gave the government a week to resign or face a massive "uprising" to push for an early election next Friday. The ultimatum was issued as the latest weekly cycling protest merged with an event staged by a movement for Slovenian Palestinian community with many of the protesters waving Palestinian flags. There was some pushing between the protesters and the police, and some protesters, mainly Palestinians, were apprehended.

RSF urges Slovenia to preserve public media independence

PARIS, France - The NGO Reporters without Borders (RSF) urged authorities in Slovenia and the Czech Republic to stop exerting political pressure on public media, and to safeguard their independence in line with Council of Europe recommendations from 2012. The RSF says the public service media in the two countries are resisting political pressure, including accusations of criminal acts and threats to funding, but their editorial and financial independence is clearly in danger.

Jourova reiterates call for solutions to STA financing

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova repeated her expectation for swift solutions to be found to ensure the sustainable funding and independence of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA). In a letter to international journalist organisations, Jourova noted it was the duty of the Slovenian government to ensure the independence and appropriate funding of the public service provided by the STA.

Vrtovec discusses logistics cooperation in Prague

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec discussed closer bilateral cooperation in transport and energy as he met Czech PM Andrej Babiš and Transport Minister Karl Havliček in Prague. Opportunities to boost Czech companies' cooperation with the Slovenian port of Koper was discussed as Slovenia is building a new rail track to the port. Vrtovec said that cooperation aimed to facilitate a greater flow of goods via the Koper port.

Petrol ups Q1 group net profit by 27% on flat revenue

LJUBLJANA - Energy group Petrol posted a net profit of EUR 27.8 million for the first quarter, an increase of 27% year-on-year and up by more than half over the same quarter in pre-pandemic year 2019, as revenue inched down marginally to EUR 912 million. EBITDA rose by 16% to EUR 54 million and adjusted gross profit was up by 30% to EUR 137 million. The company said the performance was a result of the "successful adaptation of sales to market conditions and effective cost management".

Slovenian economy in the black despite poorer results in 2020

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian economy as a whole posted somewhat poorer results in 2020 compared to 2019 but managed to stay afloat, suggest data by the AJPES agency for legal records, as net profit shrunk by almost two-fifths and total revenue by almost 6%. Slovenian companies recorded a higher total net profit than the total net loss at the end of 2020 for the seventh year in succession. This time net profit reached EUR 2.8 billion, which is down 38% compared to 2019. Companies mostly kept their staff and slightly increased net added value.

Consumer confidence improves in May

LJUBLJANA - Consumer confidence in Slovenia improved in May, as the relevant indicator was up by seven percentage points compared to April and 17 points higher than in May 2020. It also surfaced above the long term average for the first time since early-2020, the Statistics Office said. Among the components that constitute the consumer confidence indicator, consumers' expectations regarding the economic situation in the country improved the most, by 19 percentage points.

Pre-trial hearing in TEŠ6 case postponed

CELJE - Ten individuals and two legal entities suspected of corruption in the construction of unit six of the Šoštanj thermal power station (TEŠ) were to be arraigned at the Celje District Court today but the hearing was postponed, as the lawyer of the chief defendant, Uroš Rotnik, demanded recusal of the chair of the judging panel. Lawyer Mitja Jelenič Novak demanded the recusal of judge Mojca Turinek as she convicted Rotnik in last year's criminal procedure.

War crimes charges against Yugoslav army officer dropped after thirty years

NOVO MESTO - The tabloid Slovenske Novice reported that the prosecution had dropped war crimes charges against Dragomir Grujović, an officer of the Yugoslav National Army, over an incident during Slovenia's independence war nearly thirty years ago. He is still being tried for an attempted murder charge in absentia, but the charge will become statute barred in June. Grujović, an army captain, was indicted in November 1994 for war crimes against civilians and attempted murder in relation to the clash for a Yugoslav army fuel and weapons depot in Mokronog, southern Slovenia.

Slovenian pavilion launched at Venice Biennale of Architecture

VENICE, Italy - The Slovenian pavilion was launched online at the 17th architectural exhibition La Biennale di Venezia. The Slovenian project focuses on the Yugoslav-era community centres as a type of social infrastructure, highlighting the role of architecture in building a sense of community. The heritage and societal role of this phenomenon remain relevant today, said architects Blaž Babnik Romaniuk and Rastko Pečar, who created the Slovenian show along with curators Martina Malešič and Asta Vrečko.

Maribor art gallery reviving triennial of art and ecology

MARIBOR - The Maribor Art Gallery relaunched the EKO 8, International Triennial of Art and Environment, exploring the current social and economic challenges, environmental policy and postcolonial globalisation, and presenting projects by around 30 international artists. Founded under the name Ecology and Art in 1980, the triennial is one of the oldest of its kind. This year it is held for the eighth time after a 15-year break.

Artist Jasmina Cibic presenting her Palace project in Poland

LODZ, Poland - A solo exhibition by Slovenian artist Jasmina Cibic opened at the Sztuki museum in Lodz, Poland, exploring solidarity in the face of crisis and manipulation of art through film, photography, sculpture and sound. The project entitled Palace explores what the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Stalin's Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw and the nationalised residence of a manufacturer in Lodz have in common.

STA, 21 May 2021 - The Slovenian pavilion was launched online at the 17th architectural exhibition La Biennale di Venezia on Friday. The Slovenian project focuses on the Yugoslav-era community centres as a type of social infrastructure, highlighting the role of architecture in building a sense of community.

Slovenia's contribution to the international show is entitled The Common in the Community: Seventy Years of Community Centres as Social Infrastructure. A virtual stroll through the pavilion reveals a study on a post-WWII vision of building community centres in Slovenia, cultural, business and educational hubs.

Right after the Second World War, the goal was to set up 523 such centres in rural areas across the country amid post-war reconstruction and modernisation efforts. More than 330 were indeed built.

The heritage and societal role of this phenomenon remain relevant today as well, said the pavilion's architects Blaž Babnik Romaniuk and Rastko Pečar, who created the Slovenian exhibition along with curators Martina Malešič and Asta Vrečko.

Their project also addresses current challenges such as the increasing gap between urban and rural areas, exploring how to construct spaces that would boost a sense of community. It is not merely a documentation of past events but a reflection on the centres' role then and now, according to Babnik Romaniuk.

The display focuses on four topics, integration, aspiration, unfolding and witnessing. A large table represents the first, bringing visitors together and creating a sense of community.

Models and graphic interventions displayed on the table stand in for the second topic, presenting the architectural aspect of the project. A light installation hanging above the table features 523 elements representing the target number for community centres, what the post-war project aspired to along with a societal change but never realised.

The third topic, unfolding, is invoked with the help of a door, a portal that provides information and opens up the project to a wider community. Witnessing is embodied in a short film by director Vid Hajnšek exploring the past, present and future of these communal spaces, the team behind the exhibition told the STA.

At the launch of the pavilion, they highlighted that the centres boasted a certain aesthetic. They were designed by acclaimed architects of that era, who put a lot of thought into the siting of the buildings.

It is interesting that after 70 years locals still use them, Malešič said.

The project was selected in an open call by the Museum of Architecture and Design as it best addressed the issue of living together as a community or even a planet, according to the head of the pavilion Matevž Čelik Vidmar.

He believes the centres have been a venue of cultural changes and could perhaps perform this role today as well when society faces new challenges.

The display is accompanied by an extensive publication, featuring seven texts and four visual chapters.

This year's La Biennale di Venezia, held under the slogan How Will We Live Together, will get under way on Saturday. The exhibition will put on display architects' visions of co-existence amid increasing political polarisation and socio-economic inequalities.

You can learn more at the official website

STA, 21 May 2021 - An upgrade of the eastern tube of the Golovec tunnel on the north-eastern section of the Ljubljana ring road has been completed. The tube will partly reopen to traffic on Saturday, lane restrictions will have been completely gone by Sunday evening.

The construction works began in mid-March and have been completed on schedule, the national motorway company DARS said. The upgrade comes after the western tube was modernised last summer.

The EUR 8.56 million renovation will allow for improved safety and comfort and lower maintenance costs, the company said.

The 600m-long Golovec tunnel, one of the main traffic hotspots in the country's motorway system, is now the first tunnel in Slovenia boasting a modern, energy-efficient LED lighting system. There is also a new thermal detection system for traffic incidents.

STA, 21 May - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigators paid a visit to the media company Dnevnik on Thursday, the daily Dnevnik has reported. They made inquiries into Dnevnik's advertising, particularly in regard to an advert deal with the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

The investigators mainly inquired about Dnevnik's business deals with the STA - they wanted to know who is in charge of signing the deals and why deals with business partners are considered confidential or trade secrets, the daily said.

They quizzed Nives Roš, the head of advertising at Dnevnik, about the situation. Dnevnik editor-in-chief Miran Lesjak told the STA that the police had been initially interested in Dnevnik's advertising policy in general.

What followed were questions that focused on the company's business relationship with the STA - what were the circumstances that had led to this relationship, who was involved in writing the contract and why it is treated as confidential.

Lesjak said that Roš had explained to the investigators that all Dnevnik's advertising contracts were labelled confidential to protect trade secrets in the competitive media environment.

She also told the police everything she knew about the deal with the STA. Roš was not involved in writing the contract as the deal was signed years ago.

The police announced they would request access to relevant documentation, Lesjak said, noting that the deal with the STA was a common business practice. The police already have access to the contract, he highlighted.

Lesjak thus finds it hard to see the visit as anything but a way of exerting pressure on the media, in this case the STA and Dnevnik. The background of the story is clear - the police simply act according to instructions given by the government regarding the STA, he said.

Based on a report from the Government Communication Office, the government on 18 March tasked the Interior Ministry to examine whether the violations alleged therein contained elements of suspected criminal acts prosecutable ex officio and to act accordingly.

The ministry was also tasked to examine whether the STA supervisory board might have violated the companies act.

Moreover, the government proposed for the STA supervisory board to dismiss STA director Bojan Veselinovič, alleging violations in the fulfilment of the agency's legal obligations, which Veselinovič denies.

Ljubljana police investigators visited Mladen Terčelj, the chairman of the STA supervisory board, in mid-April in response to reports of alleged violations pertaining to the STA.

The government also called on the labour inspectorate in March to examine the agency and review its operations. Labour inspectors have found no infringements with respect to the employment relationships act or safety at work, including in response to the Covid-19 epidemic. They have issued a warning over a minor issue that has been tackled, the STA management said on Thursday.

STA, 21 May 2021 - Slovenia recorded 331 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, down significantly from the week before and the lowest weekday figure since Easter. The test positivity rate was 8%. Three persons died, the latest government data show.

Hospitalisations dropped significantly, to 348, but the number of patients in intensive care rose by one to 111.

The 7-day average of daily new cases fell to 372 from 384.

By yesterday over 608,000 people had received a single shot of a coronavirus vaccine, just over 35% of the adult population, and almost 314,000 were fully vaccinated, 18% of the adult population.

STA, 21 May 2021 - Restrictions on public events have been significantly eased even as Slovenia formally remains in tier yellow, after the government decided late last night to loosen attendance caps and open the convention industry.

Starting today, the number of participants at sports or cultural events is no longer capped, it depends on capacity.

Indoors, there must be at least one empty seat between each spectator and masks are mandatory. Outdoors there has to be a metre's distance between them at a minimum.

In libraries, archives, museums and galleries, the limit is one visitor per ten square metres.

As of Monday, the convention industry may reopen. Staff must be tested and visitors are allowed provided they have been tested, vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

The limit for visitors will be one per ten square metres.

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This summary is provided by the STA: Brdo debate argues for inclusive Conference on Future of Europe

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša and President Borut Pahor argued for making discussion within the Conference on the Future of Europe as inclusive as possible, as they addressed an opening debate on the topic. The same view was aired by some other participants, who advocated for pluralism in the bloc. Janša said a joint decision had been made with other guests in today's debate back in March that Slovenia as the country presiding the Council of the EU in the second half of the year would seek to add value to the conference substance-wise. The debate would be significantly affected by the EU's strategic agenda, that is green and digital transformation, he added.

Slovenian soldiers already pulled out of Afghanistan

LJUBLJANA - Following the government's decision to withdraw Slovenia's troops deployed in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, the six Slovenian soldiers returned home via Italy, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) said. Their return marks the end of Slovenia's mission in Afghanistan after the government decided that the withdrawal would be made in line with the time frame agreed by the allies or by the end of August at the latest. Defence Minister Matej Tonin said this was a special day as the last soldiers had returned from Afghanistan after 17 years of presence, safe and sound. Captain Jernej Alič, the commander of the last Slovenian contingent in Afghanistan, said the withdrawal was fast-paced and completely depended on the support by the Italian forces.

Top officials visit Defender Europe 2021 exercise in Poček

POSTOJNA - Prime Minister Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin visited the main training grounds of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) in Poček to take a look at the Slovenian part of the ongoing all-European military exercise Defender Europe 2021. Joining Janša and Tonin in reviewing the exercise led by the US forces was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters. In Slovenia, the exercise is commanded by Brigadier General Miha Škerbinc, the force commander of the SAF, and features around 2,000 SAF members, and around 600 members of the allied and partner armed forces.

Military helicopter makes emergency landing after hitting power line

BRESTANICA - A Eurocopter Tiger helicopter hit an overhead power line during the military exercise Adriatic Strike near Brestanica in the east in the morning, the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) said. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing. Nobody was injured. The accident involved the helicopter of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the allied countries taking part in the military exercise. The investigation is ongoing and electrical technicians have fixed the power line, said Jani Krošl from the SAF. While the cause of the incident has not been established yet, it is clear it happened when the helicopter was returning from the exercise, Mihael Klavžar, the head of the Defence Ministry's air accidents investigation service, said.

Logar wraps up Germany trip by meeting Bundestag representatives

BERLIN, Germany - Foreign Minister Anže Logar concluded a two-day working visit to Germany by meeting representatives of the German parliament. He presented Slovenia's EU presidency priorities and the European perspective for the Western Balkans to the president of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, the Slovenian Foreign Ministry said. Logar highlighted the good cooperation between the Slovenian and German parliaments. The minister also met Gunther Krichbaum, the chair of the Bundestag Committee on European Union Affairs, and Norbert Röttgen, the chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee.

Poklukar urges joint guidance on travel within EU

LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar called for coordination of measures to form guidance for travel and crossing the borders within the EU, as he addressed a virtual informal meeting of EU health ministers. He also urged a fair global distribution of vaccines against Covid-19. Slovenia's proposal was for the travel guidance to be formed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), according to a press release issued by the ministry.

Počivalšek talks WTO reform with EU peers

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Attending a session of the EU's Trade Policy Council, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek discussed the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) with his EU counterparts. Počivalšek said that Slovenia was ready to cooperate to affirm the importance of the WTO during its EU presidency. He noted an open, fair and rule-based international trade was necessary. The minister also called for United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai's cooperation in the bilateral agenda.

Minister presents digitalisation priorities of EU presidency in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik presented the priorities of the coming Slovenian EU presidency when it comes to digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security. What he deems key are the AI, digital services and digital markets acts. Koritnik held a number of meetings with the EU's senior officials as part of his two-day visit. During a meeting with Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager, Koritnik highlighted the role of stepping up the development of a digital society in the EU, the ministry said.

MEPs offer to organise EU presidency art exhibition

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Five of Slovenia's eight MEPs addressed a letter to European Parliament President David Sassoli in search of a solution to organise a Slovenian art exhibition at the European Parliament during Slovenia's EU presidency in the second half of the year, after Slovenia recently cancelled it. The MEPs propose that the exhibition be organised by the European Parliament, or by themselves, should the parliament give them the green-light. The Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts, which had participated in the preparations for the art show, is meanwhile not in favour of Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti's idea to put it on at some other gallery in Brussels.

Almost 360 coronavirus cases reported for Wednesday, seven deaths

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia saw 358 people test positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, while the 7-day average of new cases dropped below 300, government data show. Seven patients with Covid-19 died. Hospitalisations also dropped slightly, to 363 this morning, of whom 110 are in intensive care, the same as yesterday. The 7-day average of new cases fell to 384 on Wednesday, from 417 on Tuesday. After Slovenia confirmed its first case of the Indian variant of coronavirus in a test sample taken in April, another case of the variant was confirmed, along with another case of the variant first identified in Brazil. Both are linked to travel abroad.

Trade unions liken tax reform to Trojan horse

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's trade unions came out against the government's proposal to cut the general tax allowance as a way to raise take-home pay for everyone, arguing it would cost workers dearly in the end. In the wake of a package of tax tweaks proposing to gradually raise the general tax allowance and cut personal income tax in the top bracket, representatives of the country's major trade union associations pointed to an estimated EUR 1 billion in budget shortfall as a result of the tax cuts, which they fear would impact on social rights.

Agricultural NGOs warn against trade agreement with Mercosur

LJUBLJANA - The Alliance for Agriculture, which unites a dozen Slovenian agricultural NGOs, warned against a trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur alliance, a South American trade bloc, ahead of today's meeting of EU trade ministers. The NGOs said in a letter to decisions-makers in Slovenia the deal posed a great threat to EU farming. "We urge you to protect sustainable farming," it said as it warned about the already dire state of Slovenian farming.

Drug maker Krka reports 14% decline in Q1 sales, profit up 1%

NOVO MESTO - Drug maker Krka, which had a record 2020, saw group revenue decline by 14% in the first quarter of this year to EUR 395.8 million. Net profit rose by 1% to a record EUR 86.4 million. Profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined by nearly a quarter to EUR 123.6 million, and operating profit (EBIT) was down 28% to EUR 96.3 million. CEO Jože Colarič described the Q1 performance as "successful and according to our expectations".

Sava insurance group's net profit more than doubles in Q1

LJUBLJANA - Insurance group Sava saw group net profit rise by 128% in the first quarter to EUR 23.5 million, mostly as a result of past takeovers and positive operations in all of its segments. The profit represents over 44% of the target for the year. Gross written premiums rose by 9% over the same period in 2020 to over EUR 215 million, exclusively as a result of life insurance following the takeover of NLB bank's Vita, which contributed almost EUR 27 million to the figure.

New acting director named at Financial Administration

LJUBLJANA - Ivan Simič will return to the Financial Administration as acting director as of June almost thirteen years after he finished his first stint there. The government appointed Simič in an acting role for up to six months, until a fully-fledged director is named. One of Slovenia's most prominent tax advisors, Simič currently heads the government's strategic council tasked with proposing measures to cut red tape.

Former foreign minister named Book Agency acting director

LJUBLJANA - The government has appointed long-serving former Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel the acting director of the Slovenian Book Agency. He will take over on 2 June and serve at the helm of the agency until the appointment of the new director, but not longer than until 1 December. The Government Communication Office said after appointing the 75-year-old that he boasted top-level professional, scientific and political credentials in Slovenia and internationally.

STA, 20 May 2021 - The town of Ravne na Koroškem is known for its baking achievements. They made a 120-metre long apple strudel some years ago. This time, they decided to bake a 370-metre long nut roll to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The intergenerational centre in Ravne na Koroškem wanted to mark their 7th anniversary by baking the longest potica, a traditional Slovenian nut roll.

But since it was recently protected by the EU and defined as ring-shaped, they decided it would be too much work and opted instead for a straight nut roll and contacted the Guinness World Records.

They got the information from London about the basic ingredients, which are flour, eggs, sugar, milk, yeast and filling. The record contenders then asked for some additional ingredients and chose walnuts and rum for the filling.

They were also warned about the already existing record for a nut roll, which is 350 metres. "This is why we went for 370 metres," said Darja Krevzelj from the intergenerational centre.

The preparations took two weeks as 80 volunteers had to grind 232 kilogrammes of walnuts as well as provide 386 kilogrammes of flour, 43 kilogrammes of butter, 772 eggs, 348 litres of milk and 33 litres of rum.

There was also a lot of work with preparing all the documents to organise the path where the nut roll will be placed and then measured. "And hopefully, we will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records", said Marjana Kamnik from the intergenerational centre.

The record-contending walnut roll was baked on Wednesday on seven locations, including two restaurants, while the majority was baked in the local retirement homes.

Today, it was be put in a 370-metre long line from the intergenerational centre all the way to Javornik Castle.

They have to meet certain requirements to set the record. The nut roll was measured by a geodesist and then served to the participating institutions and to the visitors for a token contribution.