STA, 16 June 2022 - Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed Slovenia's support for granting Ukraine status of a candidate for membership of the EU as he met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday. He underscored the significance of the EU's unity in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"I expressed Slovenia's support for Ukraine to get candidate status. We confirmed this at the government session yesterday and I made this very clear," Golob told reporters after his meeting with von der Leyen.

Golob expects the Commission to give a positive opinion on granting Ukraine EU candidate status as it announces its position on Friday.

He acknowledged that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are under direct threat. "But things can turn around quickly and sometimes it's better to act preventively. In Slovenia, we believe the Western Balkans is a region that deserves a strong and ambitious European policy," he said.

He said Slovenia did not link the process of granting EU candidate status to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to the Western Balkans. However, "we would not want the region to be overlooked," said Golob, who is in Brussels on his first official trip abroad since his government was sworn in on 1 June.

Sogovornika sta se strinjala, da Unija pri naslavljanju aktualnih izzivov potrebuje enoten in odločen odziv ter da moramo biti glede energetske oskrbe in zelenega prehoda dovolj ambiciozni. pic.twitter.com/s4oettEOvs

— Vlada Republike Slovenije (@vladaRS) June 16, 2022

Slovenia does not intend to set any conditions for Ukraine to be granted candidate status, he said.

He underscored the need for EU's unity in its response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The unity already exists with regard to the need to support Ukraine and the inadmissibility of Russian's invasion.

"We need to work on this. Everything else is but nuances," Golob said about differing views on response to Russia's aggression emerging in Europe. One set of positions advocates starting peace talks as soon as possible, with the other warning against yielding to Russia.

In Slovenia positions differ as well and two groups of prominent figures addressed each their own letter to the government to present their views. The positions will be discussed in parliament.

Golob said talks were the only way out of the conflict. "Every war ends at the negotiating table. Peace talks don't mean conceding victory to the aggressor," he said.

Speaking about Slovenia's continued support for Ukraine, he said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had not asked him about weapons as they talked on Wednesday, but whether Slovenia could help in demining.

"Let's help where we can help and where help is wanted, and that is our position," he said. He also mentioned assistance by way of taking in refugees, patients and providing humanitarian aid.

He also discussed the matter with European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič. In a Twitter post, Lenarčič welcomed "the reaffirmation of Slovenia's commitment to the fundamental values and the core EU".

Golob told reporters that the 24 April election marked an important turning point in Slovenia's foreign policy. "For us, Europe comes first. Slovenia has always been a core EU country and will remain so. And that is our basic message," he said.

Golob will conclude his first visit to EU institutions on Friday with a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel. In the morning, he is scheduled to meet representatives of the Renew political group in the European Parliament.

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Golob supports Ukraine EU candidate status

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed Slovenia's unequivocal support for granting Ukraine EU candidate status as he met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on the first day of his first official trip abroad since taking office. He underscored the significance of the EU's unity in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said Slovenia would provide help to Ukraine "where we can help and where help is wanted". He reaffirmed Slovenia's position in the core EU.

Slovenia to ask for first payment from recovery fund by end of June

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Robert Golob and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the post-pandemic recovery and the plan to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Golob announced that Slovenia would ask for its first reimbursement from the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund by the end of this month. He said the national recovery and resilience plan would be amended later to provide more for digitalisation and green investments.

Pahor writes to Michel over candidate status of Bosnia-Herzegovina

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor sent a letter to European Council President Charles Michel calling for Bosnia-Herzegovina to be granted the EU candidate country status without any conditions. Pahor believes this would strengthen pro-European forces in the country and the pace of adjustment to European standards. In light of the war in Ukraine, he believes tangible steps need to made for the EU to expand to the Western Balkans as soon as possible.

Defence minister says commitments to NATO unchanged

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia's commitments to NATO remain unchanged, the country does not plan to reduce its defence spending, and remains committed to establishing a battalion-sized battle group, Defence Minister Marjan Šarec told the press in Brussels after he attended his first, two-day NATO ministerial since he took office on 1 June. "We have no intention of reducing the funds, but we will have to have a serious discussion on how to use them so that they are well used," he said.

PM says regulation of gas, electricity prices also an option

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob announced regulation of gas and electricity prices as possible additional measures to fight price hikes on Wednesday evening, adding that the government also intended to make public basic food basket prices at individual retailers. Speaking for the broadcasters POP TV and TV Slovenija, Golob said several measures were being planned when it came to the high electricity and gas prices.

Gas supply to Slovenia uninterrupted, distributor says

LJUBLJANA - Gas distributor Geoplin assured the public gas supply to Slovenia was uninterrupted. While supply from Russian Gazprom has been reduced slightly, Slovenia is making up for the difference from other sources, the company said in the wake of reports that Slovenia had received in the past days 25% less gas than planned. Geoplin said that while the quantity of gas in the past days was indeed somewhat lower than the agreed contractual daily maximum, they offset this from other sources.

Ahčin to be nominated for Court of Audit head, Cvikl for C-bank vice-governor

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor announced he would nominate Jana Ahčin for Court of Audit president and Milan M. Cvikl for a new vice-governor at the central bank after the coalition parties picked the pair as their favourite candidates. The coalition has 53 seats in parliament, far more than the 46 needed for the two candidates to get elected in a secret ballot. The two MPs representing the Italian and Hungarian minorities also said they will support whichever candidate Pahor nominates.

New minister critical of digital vouchers

LJUBLJANA - New Digital Transformation Minister Emilija Stojmenova Duh is critical of digital vouchers, a measure that was initiated by the previous government, saying they will not help step up digital literacy and inclusion, instead they will widen the digital and social gaps. From Wednesday EUR 150 vouchers are available to students from last three grades of primary school through to university to purchase computer hardware. In less than two days EUR 826,438 worth of vouchers were redeemed.

Professionals working abroad encouraged to return

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Slovenian scientists and business people living and working abroad came together for their annual meeting. Government representatives addressing the event underlined the importance of sharing in the knowledge gained abroad and expressed worry about brain drain. "Slovenians living around the world are a great treasure in business, science and diplomacy," Slovenian World Congress president Boris Pleskovič said. Like him, the minsters of the economy and education expressed the wish that more of those who leave would choose to return.

Issue raised with persons with intellectual disabilities being unable to vote

LJUBLJANA - The equality ombudsman assessed that the National Assembly election act discriminated against persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities and unjustifiably deprived them of the right to vote. The assessment is based on the provision related to evaluation of the ability to understand the purpose, significance and impact of elections, which the ombudsman said allowed for persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities to be deprived of the right to vote.

Slovenians generous with donations for Ukrainian orphans

POSTOJNA - Ukrainian orphans staying in Slavina near Postojna have aroused sympathy and generosity among Slovenians, with donations coming in from all parts of the country. According to Cvetka Kernel, the director of the Postojna student dorm, which provides accommodation for the Ukrainian staff taking care of the children, many of the donations are unexpected and unimaginable such as the one that came from the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia in the form of a EUR 18,000 check.

RTV Slovenija management surprised at announced strike

LJUBLJANA - The management of public broadcaster RTV Slovenija said it was surprised at yesterday's announcement of a strike by the in-house trade unions, arguing that a number of proposals had been offered to implement the strike demands during the talks in the wake of the 23 May token strike. "The management regrets that the trade union has intensified its strike activities by abandoning the search for solutions," the management said.

Telekom shareholders to get same dividend as last year

LJUBLJANA - Telekom Slovenije shareholders have decided to distribute EUR 29.24 million for dividends, or EUR 4.50 gross a share, to be paid out on 2 August. The management proposed a EUR 3.5 dividend, but the shareholders backed a small shareholder association's counter-proposal. The telecoms incumbent is 62.54% owned by the state, which is managed by the Slovenian Sovereign Holding, which in turn holds another 4.25%.

Tourist Board unveils digital transformation strategy

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) presented its 2022-2026 digital transformation strategy that aims to empower stakeholders in data-driven decision-making, personalise the guest experience and improve digital skills of tourism staff. Under the strategy the organisation plans to spend at least EUR 5 million on digital transformation of the tourism sector by 2026. Around 90% of Slovenian tourism companies do not have an IT department or a person in charge of the company's digital transformation.

Spanish group to manage three major Ljubljana hotels

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian real estate fund Equinox will transfer management of three hotels in the centre of Ljubljana, among them the iconic Grand Hotel Union, to Spanish group Grupo Hotusa for 20 years with the option of two five-year extensions. The deal will see the Spanish group manage Grand Hotel Union, Hotel Lev and uHotel, with Exqinox entitled to a minimum rent regardless of how well they do, which translates into more than EUR 100 million in 20 years. The variable part of the rent will depend on revenue growth.

Exhibition marks 50 years of first motorway in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The Museum of Contemporary History launched an exhibition to mark 50 years since the first motorway was built in Slovenia. The 32-kilometre section between Vrhnika and Postojna on what is now southwest-bound Primorska motorway began on 22 May 1970 and was inaugurated on 29 December 1972. The section was divided into three parts that were built by companies from around the former Yugoslavia.

World's largest sports film event held in Rogaška Slatina

ROGAŠKA SLATINA - Rogaška Slatina is hosting until 19 June the first international festival of sports film of the Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs in Slovenia. Under the banner Culture Through Sport, the festival will bring more than 35 feature films and documentaries, and a number of activities, events and presentations.

Groenewegen wins stage 2 of Tour of Slovenia

ROGAŠKA SLATINA - Dutch cyclist Dylan Groenewegen won the second stage of the Tour of Slovenia. The BikeExchange Jayco rider lived up to his reputation as the best sprinter in this year's race, beating Belgium's Lionel Taminiaux and Germany's Pascal Ackermann in a large group sprint with the help of teammate Luka Mezgec of Slovenia. Polish rider Rafal Majka, who is the main helper of Slovenian superstar Tadej Pogačar on the UAE Team Emirates, held on to the leader's jersey.

STA, 16 June 2022 - Slovenian real estate fund Equinox will transfer management of three hotels in the centre of Ljubljana, among them the iconic Grand Hotel Union, to Spanish group Grupo Hotusa for 20 years with the option of two five-year extensions, its executive director Matej Rigelnik told the press on Thursday. The deal is worth at least EUR 100 million.

The Spanish group will manage Grand Hotel Union, Hotel Lev and uHotel, with Exqinox entitled to a minimum rent regardless of how well they do, which translates into more than EUR 100 million in 20 years. The contract also sets down a variable part of the rent which will depend on revenue growth, Rigelnik said.

Equinox was incorporated in May 2021 with the split of the real estate branch from Union Hoteli Group, which runs the three hotels and has been renamed Union Hotels Collection.

Concluding the deal with Grupo Hotusa, Equinox "has set itself on the path of a proper real estate firm", Rigelnik said.

"We're aware that the current ownership structure of Union Hotels Collection and Equinox, where we have practically the same corporate management, entails a significant conflict of interest, which will be eliminated with the management of these properties being transferred on to a foreign strategic partner."

He believes this will have a positive impact on Equinox's value.

He said the business model they pursue is well known in the West, where owners, investors, operators and brands are not under the same umbrella. A clear division is important because there are specifics in managing property or operating a company, he stressed.

Rigelnik finds this business model more sustainable, and at a time of a complex macroeconomic situation, such as the war in Ukraine or inflation, also less risky.

Equinox will generate income from rents, with the difference between rents and costs to be paid to shareholders in the form of dividends.

Rigelnik was however more reserved when talking about Union Hotels Collection, saying only that the Spanish group will take over its employees.

Clara Lopez Sanjurjo from Grupo Hotusa said the group had more than 40 years of experience in various segments of tourism.

Its hotel management business, Eurostars Hotels, was founded in 2005, has 5,000 staff and manages 235 hotels in 17 countries on five continents, the three Slovenian hotels excluded.

It is the leading hotel chain in Spain and the ninth in Europe, she said, adding that one of the reasons they had chosen Ljubljana was its history and the location at the heart of Europe, a developing economy, its increasing popularity among tourists, as well as safety and favourable environmental parameters.

Given the group's appreciation of the cultural heritage of cities and hotels, she said they will keep the name of Grand Hotel Union, which opened back in 1905.

Following the news conference, trading in Equinox shares resumed on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange after it was suspended on Wednesday.

STA, 16 June 2022 - The state-run motorway company DARS is warning about unauthorised websites that offer e-vignettes, noting that e-vignettes needed on Slovenian motorways and expressways can be purchased officially and in line with the law only via the official DARS website.

DARS notes that a number of unofficial websites have appeared on the internet where various providers are selling Slovenian e-vignettes in an unauthorised manner and charging a high commission for the purchase.

Customers have no guarantee that e-vignettes on these websites are actually valid, so they may end up paying a fine, DARS said.

In the period from the start of December 2021 and the end of April 2022, DARS sold 2.46 million vignettes 2022, which is more than in the same period last year and the year before, the company's data shows.

Visit the DARS website

STA, 16 June 2022 - Prime Minister Robert Golob has announced regulation of gas and electricity prices as possible additional measures to fight price hikes, adding that the government also intends to make public the prices of the basic food basket at individual retailers.

Speaking for the commercial POP TV and the public broadcaster TV Slovenija on Wednesday evening, Golob said that several measures were being planned when it came to the high electricity and gas prices.

He announced that legislation was in the works that would enable "regulation of electricity and gas prices also for households and all individual consumers, for example in multi-apartment buildings and the like."

Golob explained yesterday's government decision to regulate the prices of motor fuels outside the motorway network and re-liberalise them along the motorways for one year by saying that "consumers expect predictability and comparability with other countries."

"The system being introduced brings exactly this," the prime minister said, noting that EUR 150 million in claims from fuel retailers to be compensated for losses related to the government regulation had been filed in less than two months.

The prime minister said that such a model was unsustainable, and such retroactive claims are inappropriate, adding that the government would continue to negotiate with fuel retailers over this issue.

The largest Slovenian fuel retailer Petrol welcomed the announced abolition of full regulation of prices that has been in force since 11 May, and also from mid-March and the end of April.

The company said that the current model was disproportionate and unsustainable. "It only burdens retailers of petroleum products, who are forced to sell fuel below the purchase costs, every litre sold is a loss," it added.

The fuel retailer OMV Slovenija also commented on the damage claims, saying that it had not received any feedback from the relevant ministries so far. "We expect an invitation for a coordinating meeting from the government," the company added.

Golob also announced talks with food retailers. He noted that these had very different prices and margins, so the government would make it very clear where the prices of the basic food basket were low "and where they are obviously astronomical".

He noted that the government would not do negative advertising, but positive advertising for those who would demonstrate the lowest prices of the basic food basket and the lowest margins.

STA, 15 June 2022 - Polish rider Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) won the first stage of the Tour of Slovenia race on Wednesday. Slovenia's Domen Novak (Bahrain Victorious) finished in second place and Slovenia's cycling star and current No. 1 cyclist in the world, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), was third.

Majka led the way with the two Slovenians in the second half of the 164.7 km hilly stage from Nova Gorica to Postojna in the west of the country.

After chasing breakaway riders during the flat terrain segment of the stage, it was Pogačar, the favourite of the race, who took his chance on the first climb.

Being rested after two months without competitive racing, he made a successful attack, and Majka and Novak followed suit.

In the final sprint, Majka broke away from the two Slovenian riders and crossed the finish line first. This was his first stage win after last year's Vuelta a Espana.

"The stage was difficult because it was very hot. It was a nice test before the Tour de France, we have to get used to this heat... Tadej had good legs. It's nice to ride here, we had a good rhythm, and I'm also happy that Tadej allowed me to win because he's definitely faster than me. Tadej will definitely win some stages in the next few days and definitely the overall as well," Majka, who won the 2017 Tour of Slovenia, told public broadcaster RTV Slovenija.

On Thursday, cyclists will ride the 174.2 km stage from Ptuj (NE) to Rogaška Slatina (E). This will be the only of the race's five stages that presents an actual chance for sprinters to bag a win.

The Tour of Slovenia is the country's biggest road cycling race. In recent years, many riders have started to see it as a final competitive test before the Tour de France. The latter, starting in Denmark on 1 July, will see Pogačar defend his two-time title.

STA, 16 June 2022 - Rogaška Slatina will host between 16 and 19 June the first international festival of sports film of the Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs (FICTS) in Slovenia. Under the banner Culture Through Sport, the festival will bring more than 35 feature films and documentaries, and a number of activities, events and presentations.

On Saturday, 18 June, the focus will be on Olympic films and sports, so several local sports clubs and associations will be presented. A round table debate will also be held to discuss women in sports and honour Slovenian NBA players, the Rogaška Slatina municipality says on its website.

The festival's programme will feature films such as One for All by David Ilundain, documentary Balandrau, Hell Frozen Over by Guille Cascante, comedy On Your Marks by Maria Pincikova, Elie Grappe's Olga, a film about 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast, and Žućko by Gordan Matić, a semi-documentary about Yugoslav basketball legend Radivoj Korać.

Also to be screened is The Pygmalion Effect, a film about the psychological approach that Ante Kostelić used on his children Janica and Ivica Kostelić, who went to become Olympic and world skiing champions.

Several Slovenian films will also be on the programme, including Moj Novi Cilj (My New Goal), Kristjan, and Strast do Letenja (Passion of Flying).

Accompanying the festival will be two exhibitions: a photo exhibition dedicated to the Slovenian Sports Day, which was first presented in front of the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, and an exhibition showcasing several unique trophies, cups and presents made by glassworks Steklarna Rogaška.

Several awards will be conferred at the closing ceremony on Sunday, 19 June, including for best documentaries, best feature film, and best promotional film. The winners will represent Slovenia at the FICTS closing film festival in Milan.

Slovenia was officially endorsed as the 21st FICTS film festival venue at the end of last year and Rogaška Slatina was picked as the town to host the event after months of deliberation.

The festival has 125 members around the world and takes place in 20 countries from five continents.

The schedule can be found here

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:

C-bank substantially upgrades GDP growth forecast for 2022

LJUBLJANA - Banka Slovenije upgraded its economic growth forecast for Slovenia by 1.8 percentage points from its December outlook to 5.8% for this year as a result of a carry-over from last year, while downgrading the projection for 2023 by 0.9 points to 2.4%. "Economic growth is moderating, but annual growth for this year remains high and is largely due to the carry-over effect, which is the result of favourable developments towards the end of 2021," Robert Zorko, deputy head of the central bank's analysis and research centre, said. Inflation is projected to run at 9% this year before easing to 4.5% and 2.3% over the next two years.

Slovenia among 10 EU countries urging to keep Fit for 55 ambitious

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Ten EU member states, including Slovenia, addressed an open letter to decision makers in the EU warning about making the Fit for 55 package less ambitious, arguing that this could affect the EU's reaching the set climate goals. The letter, posted on Twitter, has been signed by Slovenian Environment Minister Uroš Brežan alongside his counterparts from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. It comes after the European Parliament rejected at last week's plenary some key Fit for 55 legislative proposals and sent them back to the relevant committee.

Govt reintroduces two-tier fuel pricing model

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob set out the first government measure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, announcing a return to a model where fuel retailers' price margins at service stations outside motorways are regulated while prices of fuels sold along motorways will be liberalised. The new regime will kick in for a year on 21 June. "If the market doesn't work a return to retailers' margin regulation makes sense," Golob said. Under the new model fuel prices would be similar to those in Croatia, but below those in Austria or Italy. Other mitigation measures are to follow as well as measures to tackle rising food prices and those to deal with the rising cost of electricity and heating.

PM expresses Slovenia's support to Ukrainian counterpart

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob talked to his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on the phone, expressing Slovenia's firm support for the war-torn country, its sovereignty and peace efforts, the prime minister's office said in a press release. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming EU Council session, where Ukraine is to be one of the main topics. Golob moreover expressed support for Ukraine's efforts to acquire EU candidate status and Slovenia's firm support for the Western Balkans. He promised Slovenia would help with demining in Ukraine.

Slovenian, Japanese export banks sign cooperation agreement

LJUBLJANA/TOKYO, Japan - SID Banka, the state-owned export and development bank, signed a cooperation agreement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The two banks plan to create new business opportunities in digitalisation, clean energy, environment and quality infrastructure in Slovenia and third countries. The goal is to strengthen the relations between SIB Banka and JBIC and thus create new business opportunities for Japanese and Slovenian companies in digitalisation and clean energy, and promote environmental projects that contribute to carbon neutrality, quality infrastructure and connectivity.

Slovenia improves in IMD Competitiveness Ranking 2022

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has gained two spots in the annual IMD Competitiveness Ranking, placing 38th among a total of 63 countries included. Considering the circumstances, the result is satisfactory, economists taking part in the project have said. They warned, however, that Slovenia failed to reduce its gap toward countries with which it likes to compare itself. The IMD Competitiveness Raking is determined using 163 statistical indicators and 92 indicators based on a survey among managers.

Public health authority appoints Eržen its medical director

LJUBLJANA - The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) appointed Ivan Eržen its acting medical director. This comes after weeks of speculations whether Eržen, the previous head of the public health authority, will replace NIJZ current director general Milan Krek. The appointment follows recent changes to NIJZ bylaws that curtailed the powers of the director general. Eržen said he counted on cooperation with Krek, and announced that a response strategy will be prepared in the summer to be put in place if there is a renewed increase in coronavirus infections in the autumn.

Govt moves to replace two SSH supervisors

LJUBLJANA - The government is proposing to the National Assembly to recall two supervisors of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) as it argues that Božo Emeršič and Leon Cizelj do not meet the necessary requirements for the job. The goverment said after a session that Emeršič, who is also the board's vice chair, stopped meeting the requirements after he became the CFO of railway builder 2TDK in 2021, and Cizelj had not met the condition of 10 years of experience in business management from the very first day he was appointed SSH supervisor.

Govt appoints new head of JGZ Brdo

LJUBLJANA - After Marjan Hribar resigned as director of the JGZ Brdo State Protocol Services, the government appointed in his stead Franci Jagodic, who will assume the position of acting director on Saturday, the Government Communications Office said. Jagodic, who has been until now JGZ Brdo's deputy director, was appointed by the government for the period until the appointment of a full-fledged director of JGZ Brdo, but no longer than one year.

PM expects govt act changes enacted next week

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob expects the National Assembly to change the government act next week, which he believes will allow him to shape the cabinet according to his wishes before the parliament's summer break. The coalition-drafted changes have been blocked by the opposition Democrats (SDS), which want to call a referendum on the matter. However, their motion is unlikely to be endorsed given the balance of power in the National Assembly.

Speaker pledges support for judicial independence

LJUBLJANA - National Assembly Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič pledged her support for the smooth and independent work of the Judicial Council as she met its head Vladimir Horvat. The pair also discussed the need to provide sufficient funds for the Judicial Council so that it can work in a competent, expert and independent manner. As for the procedure to appoint judges, the pair agreed that politics should withdraw from the appointment process.

Slovenia drops two spots to 7th on Global Peace Index

LONDON, UK - Slovenia ranks seventh among 163 countries in the latest Global Peace Index (GPI), having dropped two spots from last year, as the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.3% this year. The level of peacefulness increased in 90 countries and deteriorated in 71 countries, while staying the same in two countries, shows the 2022 GPI report compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a status it has held since 2008.

Aided by pandemic, Slovenia met two of three climate goals in 2020

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia met its greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy efficiency targets in 2020 in sectors not covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme, shows the 2022 Climate Mirror report. While stressing the key contribution of measures related to the pandemic, the report notes the country did not meet its renewable energy target, staying 0.9 percentage points bellow the targeted 25% share of renewables in gross final energy consumption.

Steady climb in Covid case count continues

LJUBLJANA - A total of 471 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Tuesday, about a third more than the same day a week ago. There were no further deaths as hospitalisations remained stable. A total of 32 patients continue to be treated for Covid-19 as their main condition in hospitals, including five in intensive care. Compared to the same day a week ago, hospitalisations are up by seven. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population rose to 189, up by seven from the day before and up by 22 week-on-week. The 7-day case average rose to 311, up by 16 and 57, respectively, fresh data shows.

RTV Slovenija journalists to go on strike on Monday

LJUBLJANA - Journalists at public broadcaster RTV Slovenija will go on strike on Monday after their 23 May strike and subsequent talks with the management brought no progress on their strike demands. The strike will take place between 2pm and 11pm, and a rally will be held at 7pm in Republic Square, across the street from the National Assembly. The journalists will demand urgent action to preserve the public service, including from parliament, the strike committee said as it decided on the strike.

Municipalities report of problems in access to basic services

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian citizens have problems accessing some basic services in virtually all municipalities in the country, the Court of Audit has found. The most problematic seem to be access to the internet, banking services and postal services. The court inquired about this among all of Slovenia's 212 municipalities, with 96.7% of them reporting of problems. The most problems have been reported in areas where municipalities do not have direct influence such as access to ATM services and postal services.

Digital vouchers available as of today

LJUBLJANA - Digital vouchers worth 150 euros are available as of today for students from 7th grade of primary school through to university. The vouchers can be used to purchase computer hardware and were introduced under an act on digital inclusion passed in February. The vouchers, available to students who had permanent residency in Slovenia on 12 March, come in the form of credit and can be used to buy new, refurbished or used computer hardware, such as keyboards, screens, laptops and headphones.

Ukrainians with temporary protection status to get special card

LJUBLJANA - From Thursday, Ukrainians whom Slovenia awards the status of temporary protection will receive a card rather than a written decision to prove their status. The Interior Ministry said that this will simplify the procedure of granting temporary protection status. The cards will be valid until 4 March 2023. They will also serve as an ID card and as a permit for temporary residence in Slovenia. Card issuing will be free of charge, the ministry said.

Book Days open with reading from Pahor's Necropolis

LJUBLJANA - A reading of an excerpt from Necropolis, a 1967 novel about late author Boris Pahor's experience with Nazi concentration camps, will open the 27th Slovenian Book Days in Ljubljana this evening. The Necropolis reading will be followed by a literary evening at which members of the Slovenian Writers' Association, the Association of Slovenian Literary Translations and of Slovenian PEN will read their works. A number of other events will then take place until 19 June, including Fabula Voices, a sound installation in honour of the Fabula Literary Festival that will be heard around the capital city.

Painter Elda Piščanec's work on show at National Gallery

LJUBLJANA - A comprehensive exhibition on Trieste-born painter Elda Piščanec (1897-1967) is being launched at the National Gallery in Ljubljana, showing 99 of her paintings, drawings and prints as well as multimedia featuring her monumental sacral works. Running until 18 September and curated by Sara Müller, the exhibition is the gallery's contribution to help bring women artists and the art between the two world wars into focus. The gallery notes that Piščanec was one of the women artists who had to work hard to carve a space for themselves in the predominantly male world of art.

Slovenian researchers help fight grapevine disease in South Africa

LJUBLJANA - A team of Slovenian women researchers from the National Institute of Biology has developed a test for detecting a specific strain of phytoplasma that causes flavescence dorée, a grapevine disease that causes the most damage in vineyards in South Africa. According to the institute, wine growers from all over the world are affected by flavescence dorée, caused by different strains of phytoplasma transmitted by leafhoppers. "We currently have no real defence against these diseases. We try to reduce the number of transmitters with insecticides to prevent them from infecting more plants," the institute said.

Poland's Rafal Majka wins stage 1 of Tour of Slovenia

POSTOJNA/NOVA GORICA - Polish rider Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) won the first stage of the Tour of Slovenia race. Slovenia's Domen Novak (Bahrain Victorious) finished in second place and Slovenia's cycling star and current No. 1 cyclist in the world, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), was third. Majka, who won the 2017 Tour of Slovenia, led the way with the two Slovenians in the second half of the 164.7 km hilly stage from Nova Gorica to Postojna in the west of the country.

Hall at Foreign Ministry named after Boris Pahor

LJUBLJANA - A hall at the Foreign Ministry was named after Boris Pahor in memory of the famous Slovenian writer from Trieste who died aged 108 last month. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said it was a great honour to name the hall after Pahor. The ministry hopes the Boris Pahor Hall will be a crossroads of opinions, ideas and policies and a meeting place for friends and partners from Europe and the world. The event was also addressed by Pahor's contemporary and friend Evgen Bavčar, who wishes that Slovenian diplomats would follow Pahor's ideals.

STA, 15 June 2022 - Prime Minister Robert Golob set out the first government measure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis on Wednesday, announcing a return to a model where fuel retailers' price margins at service stations outside motorways are regulated while prices of fuels sold along motorways will be liberalised. The new regime will kick in for a year on 21 June.

Oil prices have gone up from EUR 70 per tonne a year and a half ago to over EUR 120, which has not been reflected fully in retail prices, Golob said, adding that Slovenia had different price regimes during this period.

"We had a regime that forcibly introduced regulation of retail prices. That's why we now have millions [of euros] worth of claims for compensation of damages [from fuel retailers]. This regime is totally unsustainable," said Golob.

"Outside motorways the market unfortunately doesn't work. All the providers have almost identical prices all the time. If the market doesn't work a return to retailers' margin regulation makes sense," he said.

The government was looking to find a balance between market prices where "each one of us, the state, retailers and consumers, carry a part of the burden".

Under the new model fuel prices would be similar to those in Croatia, but below those in Austria or Italy. Given Tuesday's stock market prices, regular petrol sold outside motorways could go up to just above EUR 1.70 a litre and on motorways by up to 20% and more.

"We've been looking at how much our consumers can take," said Golob.

The previous government reintroduced regulation of prices of motor fuels in May, less than two weeks after it lifted previous price caps. Since 11 May, the maximum retail price has been set at EUR 1.560 a litre for regular and EUR 1.668 a litre for diesel. Wholesale prices have also been capped.

Golob said the government's position was that fuel companies' claims to be reimbursed for damages as a result of being forced to sell at lower prices were unwarranted, but added that more would be clear after meetings with them.

Economy Minister Matjaž Han said the government had to act fast as fuel prices affected everyone and the current regulation was causing the state a major shortfall which potential reimbursements to retailers could raise to hundreds of millions of euros by the year's end.

The government will also introduce some mitigation measures on 1 July, which it plans to adopt next week. Golob mentioned a 16% increase in the tax-free amount of commuting cost reimbursement, an increase in the reimbursement of excise duties for public passenger transport providers and a relief for farmers.

Today, the government temporarily abolished a number of environmental taxes, including the tax on CO2 emissions for diesel, petrol, heating oil and natural gas. This will be in place until 17 August.

Moreover, the cabinet abolished contributions for electricity production using high shares of renewables. This will be in place for a year at the longest. It also reduced to zero the energy efficiency duty.

Together with hauliers, the government will start looking for solutions to prevent fuel price increases from spilling over into higher prices of food and other commodities.

Measures to tackle rising food prices are to follow in June and those to deal with the rising cost of electricity and heating in the first half of July.

"There's enough time to take action. These measures will also follow the same principle as for petroleum products, that is predictability for all stakeholders," said Golob.

STA, 15 June 2022 - Slovenian citizens have problems accessing some basic services in virtually all municipalities in the country, the Court of Audit has found. The most problematic seem to be access to the internet, banking services and postal services.

The court inquired about this among all of Slovenia's 212 municipalities, with 96.7% of them reporting problems.

The most problems have been reported in areas where municipalities do not have direct influence such as access to ATM services and postal services.

Poor access to banking services were reported in almost 57% of the cases. The only area that is more problematic is access to the internet (almost 71%). Access to postal services is in third place with almost 52% of municipalities reporting of problems.

In some cases, improving the situation would entail large investment in infrastructure, for example renovation of the water supply networks and roads.

Almost 48% of municipalities reported of problems in accessing services for the elderly (accommodation and care), and just over 45% in obtaining appropriate housing.

Almost 43% reported of people's problems with water supply and 42.5% with availability of public transportation.

In almost 39% of municipalities, people have problems accessing basic health services and in just over 37% they have problems accessing administrative services.

The Court of Audit said the most problematic were the high shares of municipalities with problems in accessing internet and public transportation, as the two are crucial for accessing other services.

It urged municipalities to adopt long-term strategic plans to tackle these issues.