STA, 23 February 2021 - Slovenia is working with member states whose nationals must pay higher fees for UK work visas to end this discrimination, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Gašper Dovžan said on Tuesday.

Member states which are discriminated against raised this issue at Tuesday's meeting of Europe ministers. "There is of course solidarity between member states to go ahead with the ambition to end this discrimination," he said.

Dovžan would not speculate on the reasons for the difference in fees beyond saying that the issue concerns which version of the social charter which member state ratified; Slovenia ratified the latest version.

He noted that the exit agreement as well as the agreement on future relations determines bodies competent to address such issues. These fora will be used if this issue is not resolved otherwise.

After the UK left the EU, nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia are not entitled to a 55-pound discount on work visa fees that other EU nationals are eligible for.

Slovenian MEPs have recently said the EU must insist on equal treatment of all EU nationals.

STA, 22 February 2021 - A predominantly Slovenian group of landowners in San Dorligo della Valle/Dolina municipality in Italy has reclaimed ownership of large tracts of lands under a landmark judgement recently handed down by an Italian court, a development seen as creating significant economic opportunities.

Based on new documents dated to the early 20th century, the Dolina "srenja", a kind of self-governing community of landowners, managed to reverse a 1931 court verdict under which the land had been made public property, the Trieste-based Primorski Dnevnik reports.

The srenja managed to prove that they were the rightful owners of the land, and not the municipality. The judgement affects 88 plots of land stretching over 233 hectares, some of it in the picturesque Glinščica Valley.

Over the years some of the land has been repurposed for infrastructure such as roads, which is why the srenja and the municipal authorities will now determine which of the plots will be assigned to the municipality and which will be left over for the landowners.

The two largest organisations representing the Slovenian minority in Italy, the Slovenian Cultural and Economic Union (SKGZ) and the Council of Slovenian Organisations (SSO) welcomed the decision in a joint statement.

They said it "opens a new chapter and has potentially positive effects" as the land may now be used for farming, forestry and tourism.

"But more than that, it returns the land to the original owners [...] who will now be able to manage it to the benefit of the home community."

STA, 22 February 2021 - The Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS) has noted that the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia is stagnating in terms of the number of positive tests, with the basic reproduction number standing at around one. It projects that the next, yellow phase of restrictions easing could be reached in mid-May.

One of the criteria for the yellow phase is fewer than 500 patients in hospitals which, given the current trends, the country's prime research institute says could happen this Saturday.

Another criterion is the daily average of newly-confirmed infections in the last seven days below 600. Under the current basic reproduction number, this is to be reached on 13 May.

In the yellow phase, school reopens for all secondary school and university students, student dorms reopen, all remaining services reopen and the 9pm-6am curfew is lifted in the entire country (optionally only for some regions).

The green phase if when the seven-day average of infections drops below 300, as this is the number when epidemiologists will be able to effectively trace contacts to further facilitate the reduction in the number of infections in the general population.

In that phase, all restrictions are lifted for the entire country, while general hygienic measures remain in place, while night clubs and discotheques remain closed.

The IJS also said on Monday that the new, more virulent strain of the novel coronavirus could become dominant at the end of April and the curve could turn upwards again.

The estimated doubling time for the new strain in the current conditions is around 10 days, but uncertainty of this estimate is high, the institute said.

The latest data on coronavirus and Slovenia

STA, 22 February 2021 - Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld (Renew) has invited PM Janez Janša to Brussels to take part in a discussion on the media in Slovenia that is expected to take place in March, public broadcaster TV Slovenija reported on Monday.

The MEP is the chair of the European Parliament's Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group within the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

Last week, after Janša accused Politico's journalist Lili Bayer of lying in her story about the media in Slovenia, the MEP said she believed there was sufficient ground for the group to start monitoring the situation in the country.

In 't Veld said today that the invitation to the joint discussion had also been sent to Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti, Government Communication Office (UKOM) director Uroš Urbanija, RTV Slovenija director general Igor Kadunc and to Ilinka Todorovski as RTV Slovenija's viewers and listeners' ombudsman.

"As we did with other countries, Malta, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Belgium, we will of course invite the prime minister, ministers and other relevant representatives to present their views to us. For us it's not important whether they belong to the right or left. Important are facts, discussions, so that we know what is going on," she said.

Earlier in the day, Janša was called on by the leaders of both junior government coalition partners, New Slovenia (NSi) and Modern Centre Party (SMC), to invite an EU mission to Slovenia to investigate the state of freedom of the press.

NSi leader and Defence Minister Matej Tonin said on Twitter European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova would learn the most about freedom of the press in Slovenia if she deployed a "fact-finding mission" to the country. His call was joined by SMC leader and Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek.

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Logar urges EU unity on Russia

BRUSSELS, Belgium - As EU foreign ministers reached a political agreement to introduce sanctions against the persons responsible for the arrest and prison sentencing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Slovenia's Anže Logar pointed to the need for the EU to be united in its attitude towards Russia. He also said that it was important to maintain dialogue with Russia but that the EU needed to make strategic reflection in the context of future relations with Russia.

Slovenia would like to organise EU-W Balkans and resilience summits

BRUSSELS, Belgium - During its EU presidency in the second half of 2021, Slovenia would like to organise an EU-Western Balkans summit and an informal summit on resilience, Foreign Minister Anže Logar told the press after attending a session of the Foreign Affairs Council. He said the wish was to discuss building a robust EU which will be able to address various crises, from a health to a cyber crisis.

FM speaks about pandemic recovery at UN Human Rights Council

GENEVA, Switzerland - Foreign Minister Anže Logar said recovery after pandemic should include actions aimed at achieving greater equality, solidarity and social protection as he addressed in a video call the UN Human Rights Council, which started its 46th regular session virtually in Geneva. He welcomed the recent US decision to re-engage with the council and noted that Slovenia stood ready to take its part in international human rights efforts as a member state in the 2026-2028 period.

Janša invited to Brussels for discussion on media in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld (Renew) has invited PM Janez Janša, Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti, Government Communication Office director Uroš Urbanija and public broadcaster RTV Slovenija director general Igor Kadunc to Brussels to take part in a discussion on the media in Slovenia expected to take place in March, public broadcaster TV Slovenija reported. The MEP chairs the European Parliament's Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group. After Janša accused Politico's journalist of lying in her story about the media in Slovenia, In 't Veld said last week she believed there was sufficient ground for the group to start monitoring the situation in the country. Earlier in the day, the leaders of both junior government coalition partners, New Slovenia (NSi) and Modern Centre Party (SMC), called on Janša to invite an EU mission to Slovenia to investigate the state of freedom of the press.

Slovenia taking over LOT House in Bosnia

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will take over a Liaison and Observation Team (LOT) as part of the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday. Addressing reporters, Colonel Borut Cesar said Slovenia would officially take over the LOT House in Banja Luka from Chile with a flag raising ceremony on Friday, while eight members of Slovenian Armed Forces will start operating there on 15 March. LOT Houses provide a link between the European Union Force FOR and the local civilian population.

Coronavirus situation stable, hospitals on exit strategy

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 247 coronavirus cases from 1,428 PCR tests performed on Sunday to keep the 7-day average number of new cases flat at 744. Eight patients with Covid-19 died for a total death toll of 3,784. Covid hospitalisations rose by 18 to 584 and ICU cases were up by two to 104, with the increase typical at weekends. Announcing an exit strategy for hospitals, Health Ministry State Secretary Alenka Forte announced that Covid beds capacities were being reduced to 10% of all bed capacities. In addition Topolšica and Sežana hospitals are no longer Covid hospitals.

New batch of Pfizer vaccine arrives in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - A new batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has arrived in Slovenia. It comprises 22,230 doses, of which 2,200 will be used for second jabs and the rest for the first, the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) said. In line with the vaccination strategy, the batch is intended for residents older than 80. If some goes unused, the leftover doses will be used for those aged 75-80. All residents aged 80 or more and have opted for vaccination will have been vaccinated by the end of this week. So far, around 94,300 persons (4.5% of Slovenia's population) have received the first dose of the vaccine, whereas 49,918 have received both jabs.

Vizjak points to green transition in address to UN Environment Assembly

NAIROBI, Kenya - Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak highlighted the role and potential of green investment for a low-carbon and circular economy as he addressed in a video call a two-day virtual session of the UN Environment Assembly. He said Slovenia was working on a plan of concrete measures for a systemic transition to a low-carbon circular economy. "It's true that we live in a crisis but also in a time of opportunities where actions and post-pandemic recovery can bring benefits to both the economy and environment."

Man charged with incitement to violent protest

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Police Department said a 39-year-old man from Ljubljana had been charged with incitement to violent protests in connection to an anti-government rally that turned violent on 5 November. News portal Siol.net identified the suspect as Anis Ličina. He is suspected of having called for violence on various social networks for three weeks prior to the protest, and of being the ringleader of a group that obstructed police work at the protest and attacked police officers.

Doctor censured by peers over coronavirus statements

LJUBLJANA - A doctor who has downplayed the severity of the coronavirus epidemic has been censured by the Medical Chamber's ethics committee, which will now hand the case over to the chamber's prosecutor, who may initiate follow-up proceedings. While the committee admitted in its recent decision that every citizen has the right to freedom of expression, it has said that internal medicine specialist Matjaž Figelj "must realise that his publicly expressed opinions on the medical profession carry far greater weight and responsibility that statements by the lay public, and may significantly affect the public".

Slovenian community in Italy reclaims old land rights

TRIESTE, Italy - The Trieste-based Primorski Dnevnik reported that a predominantly Slovenian group of landowners in San Dorligo della Valle/Dolina municipality in Italy had reclaimed ownership of large tracts of lands under a landmark judgement recently handed down by an Italian court, a development seen as creating significant economic opportunities. The judgement affects 88 plots of land stretching over 233 hectares, some of it in the picturesque Glinščica Valley.

Boxmark wins deal to make upholstery for Emirates

KIDRIČEVO - Boxmark, the Kidričevo-based maker of car upholstery, is branching out into aircraft upholstery having recently sealed a deal with the Emirates Group to make leather upholstery for Emirates, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. The deal is a special achievement in the light of the aviation crisis. It will generate about EUR 3 million in revenue a year, as Boxmark continues to make the bulk of income with car upholstery, but the Emirates deal will boost its brand abroad.

Actor Danilo Benedičič dies

LJUBLJANA - Film and theatre actor Danilo Benedičič has died, aged 87, according to a release issued by the SNG Drama Ljubljana theatre on Friday. Benedičič, a winner of Borštnik Ring, Slovenia's top accolade for lifetime achievement in theatre acting, was a member of the SNG Drama ensemble for almost 40 years. He played in almost 150 roles, and was known and celebrated for his "extraordinary artistic heritage and kind, mindful personality", the theatre said.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

Slovenia, a limestone treasure in south-eastern Europe. This small country, barely 220km’s across, has much to offer. Jagged and spotted with numerous unique and beautiful natural features. It is that unique characteristic of limestone, which makes up a greater part of the Slovenian landscape; spotted with hills and mountains, alpine lakes, alpine rivers and streams cutting their way into picturesque valleys.

It is these natural features, which are utilized by tourism and by curious explorers, who come to Slovenia to explore this diversity. Also, a significant number of Slovenia's citizens actively enjoy the outdoors; cycling, hiking, camping,

The Juliana Trail Presents Some of the Best Views & Hikes in Slovenia

Hiking is a popular and widespread activity in Slovenia. From paths through parks and woods in and around the towns and cities of Slovenia, all the way, to treacherous and demanding hiking and climbing trails in Slovenia’s alpine regions.

Slovenia has two main mountain ranges. The Kamnik-Savinia Alps, just north of Ljubljana and the Julian Alps, in north-western Slovenia, which also has Slovenia’s highest mountain; Triglav, at 2864m. Slovenian mountain ranges are categorized under the Southern Limestone Alps system, also known as the child mountain ranges of the Alps. Therefore, relatively small mountain groups. Slovenia is thus abundant with hiking trails and footpaths.

Exploring Slovenia: Hiking a Gorgeous Ridge above Pokljuka (photo: Exploring Slovenia)

With all the hiking opportunities and terrain Slovenia has to offer, it has sadly seen a significant rise in hiking incidents and accidents. So much that the mountain rescue services have often been overwhelmed and unsuccessful to react to all incidents. According to the rescue services, the majority [over 90%] of incidents could be prevented.

A key to having a successful and enjoyable day out is preparation. Firstly, to know where you are going. A common appearance at the start of most trails in Slovenia are little red signs, indicating the direction and the approximate time needed for the trail. But only knowing the time needed, thus the approximate distance of a trail is

Not far out of Ljubljana, there is a solitary hill, Mount Saint Mary (Šmarna gora), which has numerous hiking trails, requiring up to two hours. These are well prepared and maintained trails. Therefore, ideal for anyone with average recreational gear and a comfortable pair of Nikes.

But if you take it a step further and head off into the Alps; and even though you may select a route which is marked as being the distance as on Šmarna gora , your comfortable pair of Nikes won’t be enough, with more appropriate footwear something that is emphasised by the mountain rescue service.

Call 112 for the mountain rescue service

Once you head into the country, thus onto more treacherous and unmaintained trails. A better pair of shoes, not only ones with a strong sole but which also sufficiently hug and support the ankles are more than fundamental. Inadequate footwear is too often the cause of turning an outing into an unpleasant event, or worse. 

We emphasise the value of preparation; Know where you are going. If you’ve never been there before, a bit of research to get some basic information on the trail is always welcome. It’s always good to tell someone where you are going, and always stick to your plan. Don’t provoke or over-challenge your capabilities. Rather keep that for activities where you won’t jeopardise your safety or the safety of others. All too often, people admit to the rescue services that they didn’t know where they were going or they didn’t know the trail. 

Western Karavanke Offers New Facilities for Hikers, Mountain Cyclists, Winter Sports Enthusiasts

It’s always special to remember outings out in the country, in nature. So, let’s make sure that they are remembered and remain special, remembered for the right reasons. 

STA, 22 February 2021 - The Swedish furniture group Ikea is set to open its first store in Slovenia in Ljubljana on Thursday. To ensure a safe shopping experience in Covid times and avert long queues in front of the store, Ikea has mandated advanced bookings for in-person shopping in the first weeks following the opening. 

In the initial weeks after the opening, shoppers will be obliged to register online to visit the store. The booking will be free of charge and available from Tuesday at 9am.

The number of visitors is capped at 700 with Ikea estimating that they will spend roughly two hours on average browsing around the store.

Online shop will also come to life on Thursday. Ikea restaurant in the brick-and-mortar store will be closed due to Covid rules, but there will be take-away options, Cas Lachaert, the head of the Ljubljana store, said on Monday.

He added that Ikea will sell its standard products in Slovenia as well as those reflecting the local environment.

Great demand for Ikea family cards shows that consumers are looking forward to the opening, Lachaert said, noting that 45,000 people requested the card in the first seven days.

After the epidemiological situation improves, the Ljubljana store is expected to attract some 2 million visitors per year.

Online purchases could be picked up or delivered - apart from Ljubljana, there will be a pick-up location in Maribor as well. Additional locations could be set up in the future, according to Lachaert.

Ikea has employed 400 staff for its Ljubljana store after receiving some 7,000 job applications. The Swedish furniture giant had initially planned the opening for the end of 2020, however Covid-19 has upset the apple cart and the date has been pushed to 25 February.

The store spans over 31,000 square metres, including some 22,000 square metres of the shopping area, and stocks about 9,500 products.

STA, 22 February 2021 - Slovenia logged 247 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, three more than the same day a week ago, as eight patients with Covid-19 died. The 7-day average of new cases stayed level at 744, fresh government figures show.

The latest cases were confirmed from 1,428 PCR tests, for a positivity rate of 17.3%. In addition, 8,551 rapid antigen tests were also performed.

The number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 rose by 18 to 584 after 39 patients were admitted and 13 discharged yesterday. The number of patients in intensive care units rose by two to 104.

For a further easing of coronavirus restrictions, hospitalisations would have to fall below 500 and the 7-day average of new confirmed cases below 600.

The cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents was at 522 and the 7-day incidence at 248 on Sunday, show data from the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), released by the government.

Region-wise, the highest incidence remains in the south-western region of Obalno-Kraška, the 14-day figure being at 744 and the 7-day at 400 per 100,000 residents.

Commenting on the situation at the daily press briefing, Health Ministry State Secretary Alenka Forte noted that tourism destinations and shopping centres were very busy at the first weekend since travel across the country was allowed.

She appealed to the public to pick the destinations of their trips wisely and opt for less busy spots and not to become "too relaxed" about precautionary measures.

Forte was "very happy" about the falling hospitalisations and deaths, setting out an exit strategy for hospitals.

"We're currently in the first phase of the exit strategy when hospitalisations fall under 700. Covid bed capacities of all hospitals are reduced to 10% of all bed capacities, except for the Golnik hospital, where the percentage is 15%," she said.

In addition Topolšica and Sežana hospitals are no longer Covid hospitals and have resumed their regular services.

In the second phase, when country-wide Covid-19 hospitalisations fall below 500, the hospitals in Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Trbovlje, Brežice and Izola will no longer be Covid hospitals and will resume their regular programme and the Jesenice hospital will close its Covid unit due to renovation.

In the third phase, as Covid hospitalisations fall below 250, only UKC Ljubljana and UKC Maribor, Golnik and the hospitals in Celje, Novo Mesto and Nova Gorica will continue as Covid hospitals.

Only the two medical centres and Golnik clinic will continue to treat Covid patients when their number falls below 100 and if the number is even lower, Golnik will no longer have intensive care beds for Covid patients.

Emergency wards in all hospitals will keep so-called "grey zones" to isolate patients suspected to be infected with coronavirus. If they test positive, the patients will be relocated following the exit strategy.

Slovenia has so far reported 185,013 coronavirus cases, with an estimated 11,014 active infections, data from the NIJZ show.

According to tracker site covid-19.sledilnik.org, a total of 3,784 Covid-19 patients have died.

More than 94,300 people received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and nearly 50,000 received both jabs by Sunday.

The latest data on coronavirus and Slovenia

STA, 22 February 2021 - Film and theatre actor Danilo Benedičič has died, aged 87, the Ljubljana SNG Drama theatre has said. Benedičič, a winner of Borštnik Ring, Slovenia's top accolade for lifetime achievement in theatre acting, was a member of the SNG Drama ensemble for almost 40 years.

Benedičič performed almost 150 roles in his career, spanning five decades, and was known and celebrated for his "extraordinary artistic heritage and kind, mindful personality", the theatre said in a press release issued on Friday.

He was born in the village of Pristava near the northern town of Tržič in 1933 and graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television (AGRFT) in 1970.

Benedičič won many awards, including the 1980 Prešeren Fund Prize for his SNG Drama performances, the 1989 Borštnik Ring, and the 1997 Župančič Award for lifetime achievements, bestowed by the city of Ljubljana.

He was described by theatre critic Jernej Novak as "a character, precise and cultivated actor, a great master of detail with a wide range of expression, who based his without fail original stage performances on in-depth research". The Borštnik Ring jury lauded him as an actor with distinctive features and one-of-a-kind artistic expression.

Benedičič was famous for his interpretations of Shakespeare's characters as well as takes on grotesque or comical roles. At the beginning of his career, he made a name for himself as a participant of the experimental Oder 57 student theatre movement.

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This summary is provided by the STA: 

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here