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

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FRIDAY, 28 August
        LJUBLJANA - Petrol, Slovenia's largest energy group, saw its net profit halved to EUR 20.6 million in the first six months of the year, as sales plunged by 28%, to EUR 1.53 billion, due to the lockdown and subsequent coronavirus-related restrictions.
        BERLIN, Germany - EU foreign ministers, including Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar, urged Turkey at an informal meeting in Berlin to end unilateral actions in the eastern Mediterranean, which are fuelling tensions in the country's relations with Greece and Cyprus, and hence with the EU. The ministers called for safeguarding the EU's interests and expressed solidarity with Cyprus and Greece.
        LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) said it had launched an investigation after preliminary findings indicated the risk of corruption in alleged wrongdoing of Agriculture Minister and embattled Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) head Aleksandra Pivec.
        JESENICE - After months of delays, first because of complaints in the contracting procedure and then due to the coronavirus pandemic, the workers of Turkish contractor Cengiz finally started boring the second tube of the Karavanke Tunnel with Austria on the Slovenian side.
        LJUBLJANA - The long-planned project of linking Koroško in the north and Bela Krajina in the south with the motorway network, known as the Third Development Axis, got a fresh impetus, as motorway company DARS picked a consortium of three contractors - Kolektor, CGP and VOC Celje - to carry out EUR 8.47 million worth of initial works on the northern part of the planned expressway.
        LJUBLJANA - The merger of Dnevnik and Večer, the publishers of the third and fourth largest daily newspapers in Slovenia, has come to a halt, Dnevnik's owner Bojan Petan of publisher DZS and Večer's co-owner Uroš Hakl confirmed. While Petan implied there were disagreements over ownership, Hakl said the reasons were a matter of business.
        LJUBLJANA - The 19th Friday anti-government protests was peaceful with police detecting only one violation of the public assembly act. According to the police, some 4,000 people gathered for the rally, which focussed on environmental issues.

SATURDAY, 29 August
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - A publication released by the EU Commission assessed that high labour taxation in Slovenia has a highly probable negative impact on the labour market and hence the country's GDP. The Slovenian government has been advised to introduce a more growth-friendly tax system.
        LJUBLJANA - The latest poll commissioned by the private broadcaster Nova24TV showed the senior coalition Democrats (SDS) top the party ratings on 20.9% support, followed by the opposition Social Democrats (11.9%) and the Marjan Šarec List (10.2%). The opposition Left polled at 6.8%, followed by the coalition New Slovenia (NSi) at 3.1%, Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) at 2.6% and the opposition National Party (SNS) at 2.1%.
        LJUBLJANA - Insurance companies operating in Slovenia last year collected a record EUR 2.3 billion in gross premiums, which is 7.2% more than in 2019, while damage payouts were up 3.2% to EUR 1.6 billion.

SUNDAY, 30 August
        LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a revised budget for 2020. With revenue down and expenditure soaring due to the coronavirus epidemic, the budget deficit is projected to stand at EUR 4.2 billion or 9.3% of GDP. Revenue is planned at EUR 9.2 billion, almost 15% lower than in the currently valid budget, and expenditure at EUR 13.4 billion, nearly 30% higher. A major portion of the extra funding is to go to the Finance Ministry, its budget increasing by EUR 2.1 billion to EUR 4.6 billion.
        LJUBLJANA - Serbia was moved from the red list of high-risk countries to the yellow list. There is a quarantine requirement for travellers from countries on the yellow list, but there are many exemptions. Croatia remains on the red list, so quarantine is still required for most travellers returning from the country.
        BLED - Prime Minister Janez Janša held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The agenda included bilateral relations, the situation in Western Balkans and the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

MONDAY, 31 August
        BLED - The Bled Strategic Forum boasted the most high-profile turnout in its 15-year history despite the coronavirus pandemic. FM Anže Logar said the debates, which focused on the EU's future and the region's role, were a prelude to talks at the EU level, but the event also marked a "return to the diplomatic map" for Slovenia. The line-up, which included Hungarian PM Victor Orban, Poland's Mateusz Morawiecki, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, was meanwhile criticised by opposition parties, which expressed concern with Slovenia's shift in foreign policy towards eastern EU members.
        LJUBLJANA - Statistics Office data showed Slovenia's output contracted by 13% in real terms in the second quarter year-on-year. The second straight quarter of negative growth places the country in a technical recession with the annual rate of contraction in the first half of the year at 7.9%. On the up side, available data suggest a rebound in the second half of the year.
        LJUBLJANA - The Fiscal Council, a government advisory body, updated its estimate of the actual public budget expenditure directed thus far toward mitigating the impact of the coronacrisis, putting it at EUR 1.5 billion. While this compares to a government-planned EUR 2.8 billion, the measures could reduce the GDP contraction by about 1.5 percentage points.
        LJUBLJANA - The government dismissed Peter Jenko from the post of director general of the Financial Administration (FURS) after he led the national revenue service for nine months. Irena Nunčič, until now one of the state secretaries at the Finance Ministry, became acting director general for up to six months.
        LJUBLJANA - Consumer prices in Slovenia fell by 0.1% in August year-on-year as well as on July with the Statistics Office attributing annual deflation mainly to cheaper petroleum products and the monthly fall in prices to clearance sales. Goods prices went down by 1.2% in a year, while prices of services rose by 1.6%.
        LJUBLJANA - National motorway company DARS said it posted EUR 187.9 million in operating revenue in the first half of 2020, a 25% drop compared to the same period in 2019 due to the corona crisis. Net profit plunged by almost two thirds year-on-year, totalling EUR 28.4 million.
        LJUBLJANA - The business newspaper Finance reported that Comtrade CDS, the largest Slovenian IT company in terms of workforce size, had been acquired by the British IT company Endava in a deal worth EUR 60 million.

TUESDAY, 1 September
        BLED - PM Janez Janša held talks with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban. They discussed "close all-around cooperation" between the two countries. The pair expressed strong support for the respective minorities on both sides of the border and called for stronger cooperation in a variety of bilateral projects. They also "highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation in the Central European area".
        BLED - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman told the STA that open issues between Croatia and Slovenia, including the border issue, should be resolved bilaterally. He said the EU Court of Justice advised Slovenia and Croatia to seek a bilateral solution. "There is no arbitration if there is no other side," he said.
        LJUBLJANA - After a split on whether its head Aleksandra Pivec should step down over suspicion of corruption, the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) remained divided over the issue of which party body can dismiss the her even though the commission for statute matters said that the party council and not only the congress, as claimed by Pivec, has that power.
        VIENNA, Austria - Having analysed the state of mass media in Slovenia since the Janez Janša government took over in mid-March, the International Press Institute (IPI) said in a report that "few countries in Europe have experienced such a swift downturn in press and media freedom after a new government came to power". The IPI urged the OSCE, the EU and the Council of Europe to follow the developments.
        LJUBLJANA - The new school year started in-class for almost 191,000 primary and secondary pupils and almost 18,000 teachers. However, many precautions are in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including the wearing of face masks in common areas, which the public health authorities recommended for pupils of all ages.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenian police officers who will find themselves in danger received the green light to use electroshock weapons against their attackers. The police say the use of the new weapon will be very restricted and all procedures involving them will be recorded.
        BRIANCON, France - Slovenia's cycling star Primož Roglič won the fourth stage of the Tour de France, while Tadej Pogačar in second place helped secure a historic double win for Slovenia. After Thursday's sixth stage, the pair were placed second and third respectively in the overall standings.

WEDNESDAY, 2 September
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded a spike in coronavirus infections with the daily tally hitting 55 in Tuesday's testing, a five month high, as 1,608 tests were performed, the highest daily number so far. The number of new cases has been rising steadily in recent weeks, but there have been few new deaths, the total figure by Tuesday standing at 134. The estimated total number of active cases is around 500. The number of hospitalised cases remained stable, standing at 26 on Wednesday. The government's chief Covid-19 advisor, Bojana Beović, is concerned about the spike coinciding with the start of the new school year.
        LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Foreign Ministry condemned the confirmed poisoning of Alexei Navalny. "The use of the nerve agent to silence an opposition leader is unacceptable. We expect clarifications from the Russian Federation and its cooperation with the international community," the ministry said.
        LJUBLJANA - Delo reported that Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro had invited Slovenia to join Poland in withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, a European treaty aimed at preventing violence against women. While Ziobro has labelled the convention a feminist invention that wants to justify homosexual ideology, the Slovenian Justice Ministry said it saw no reason to withdraw from the convention or to amend it.
        LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša expressed support for the Czech Republic after a visit by a senior Czech official to Taiwan has upset China. "EU-China relations are based on dialogue and mutual respect. Threats directed at one of the EU members and its representatives contradict the very essence of our partnership and as such are unacceptable," Janša tweeted.
        LJUBLJANA - Acting upon complaints by two Slovenian builders, the National Review Commission has shortened the list of suitable bidders for the principal construction works on the new rail section from Divača to Koper. While some bidders will reportedly be asked to supplement their bids, one bidder each from Slovenia, Turkey, China and Austria definitely remain in play for what are an estimated EUR 700 million worth of works.
        LJUBLJANA - The Finance Ministry proposed a hike in excise duties that entails a 4.8% increase in the average price of a pack of cigarettes in October. The prices of other tobacco products will also go up, while heat-not-burn products and electronic cigarettes will not be affected.

THURSDAY, 3 September
        LUXEMBOURG - By seizing European Central Bank (ECB) documents from the Slovenian central bank in an investigation of the 2013 bank bailout in 2016, Slovenia breached provisions of EU law that grant the ECB special immunity, an advocate general at the Court of Justice of the EU said in her opinion in a case brought against Slovenia by the EU Commission. The opinion is not binding on the court, which is expected to deliver a ruling before the end of the year unless the Commission withdraws the suit before then, a possibility raised in July by PM Janez Janša in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
        BRDO PRI KRANJU - Foreign Minister Anže Logar announced a more ambitious foreign policy of Slovenia, with the EU and NATO memberships as the fundamental framework, as he addressed the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats. An overhaul of the main strategic foreign policy documents was also announced. President Borut Pahor on the other hand said he was concerned that an east-west divide could eventually emerge in the EU. He added Slovenia had always built its national interest on strengthening the EU's unity, and that he hoped this would remain the case in the future.
        LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar met his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian as part of an official two-day visit to Slovenia which the Foreign Ministry said reaffirmed the countries' shared interest in further strengthening of their strategic partnership.
        KOUROU, French Guiana - Following a number of cancellations due to poor weather, the launch of Slovenia's first satellites, the nanosatellite Trisat and the microsatellite Nemo HD, as part of a project by the European space company Arianespace, was executed successfully. Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek said "Slovenia has joined the group of countries with operative satellites in space, a top achievement that should make us extremely proud".
        LJUBLJANA - The registered jobless total in Slovenia stood at 88,172 at the end of August, which is a 1.4% decrease on July but 23.2% above the August 2019 figure due to unemployment growth in April and May.
        LJUBLJANA - Lot Polish Airlines will temporarily suspend its Ljubljana-Warsaw flights this month, with the last flight scheduled for 16 September, while low-cost carrier Wizz Air has cancelled its plans to fly between Ljubljana and Belgium's Charleroi over the coming winter.

Donald Tusk Visits Slovenia, Says EU’s Fundamental Values Cannot Be Negotiated

STA, 4 September 2020 - Donald Tusk, the president of the European People's Party (EPP), visited Slovenia on Friday to honour the 20th anniversary of New Slovenia (NSi), underscoring that even though EU countries and EPP parties may pursue different interests, the EU's fundamental values such as freedom of speech, tolerance and the rule of law, are non-negotiable.

Tusk, the former Polish prime minister and former president of the European Council, is due to address the NSi anniversary ceremony in the afternoon, while he also met Prime Minister Janez Janša over a working lunch. Both the NSi and Janša's Democratic Party (SDS) are member of the EPP.

Addressing reporters in the morning, both Tusk and NSi leader Matej Tonin noted the significance of Europe and its fundamental values, emphasizing that the EU should remain united in the face of the many challenges and should overcome divisions between north and south and east and west. "We are all different, but there's no need that we are divided," Tusk quoted what he said Tonin often said.

My statement on the occasion of my visit to Slovenia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of EPP member party @NovaSlovenija https://t.co/Rf0z3t1NxV#20letNSi pic.twitter.com/cXU5O97fuv

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtuskEPP) September 4, 2020

An honour to speak at the 20th anniversary of @NovaSlovenija with president Matej Tonin, among friends.

Verjamem v Nova Slovenija! https://t.co/IyDhh99JH2 pic.twitter.com/QERZfwJyAl

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtuskEPP) September 4, 2020

"For me the most important criteria is our fundamental values (...) I will never negotiate values like freedom, freedom of speech, free media, tolerance, human rights, rule of law, corruption," Tusk said in response to several questions from journalists about the rift within the EU and the EPP.

Also when commenting on the developments in Poland and Hungary that prompted the European Commission's procedure over the allegations that the rule of law is at risk, Tusk insisted that when freedom was at stake, there was no room for negotiation.

He pledged to do all in his power so that the EPP can take a vote as soon as possible on expelling the Fidesz party of the Hungarian PM Viktor Orban. The vote was demanded in April by 13 EPP members, but has so far been prevented by the pandemic.

About the position of Slovenian parties he said that Janša and Orban were not just friends but close political collaborators and that the SDS was closer to Orban in the EPP than to him. However, he also said that there was pluralism in the EPP and that as long he had partners like Tonin by his side, he felt "confident about preserving our values and principles".

Asked about the assessment that under the SDS guide Slovenia's foreign policy was turning away from the old European core towards the Visegrad Four, Tusk said EU members had various interests and there was nothing contentious when they tried establish special relations with some countries, including China or Russia. But "the price must not be too high and we should never renounce our European values".

Tonin said his party's efforts throughout its 20-year history had been focused to benefit the homeland. "We understand centre ground as a political party that is capable of linking the left and the right for the sake of the homeland, we believe in dialogue and that by talking it is possible to overcome differences, achieve change and ensure progress and a better future for Slovenia."

Tusk lauded the NSi as "the hope not only for many Slovenians, but for the whole European Christian Democracy. "You have proven that an indeed not easy synthesis of tradition, modernity and freedom is possible. That one can defend their values and not attack others, that an ideal of an open and tolerant society is reconcilable with effective governance."

He congratulated Slovenia for coping well with the pandemic, thus demonstrating that "democrats can be more effective than autocrats also in the time of a grave crisis, and that one does not have to restrict freedom and rights in order to ensure safety and security of their citizens".

STA, 4 September 2020 - Prime Minister Janez Janša dismissed at the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats on Friday concerns Slovenia is drifting away from the EU's core countries, saying the "saga about a core Europe" was a false dilemma that testified a lack of confidence. However, Slovenia does not have an inferiority complex, added Janša.

"When we were deciding on EU accession in the referendum, we did not vote for an EU that would feature first- and second-class countries," Janša said in his address at Brdo pri Kranju.

Slovenija drugih članic #EU, svojih partnerjev, ne deli na prvo in drugorazredne. To bi bilo v nasprotju z našimi interesi ter s črko in duhom Lizbonske pogodbe. ?? nima kompleksa manjvrednosti, v EU se počuti povsem enakopravno. Obstoječih delitev ne hranimo, ampak jih blažimo.

— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) August 26, 2020

"We believed in equality and equal standards for everybody," Janša added in the wake of debates that have included President Borut Pahor expressing concern over an emerging east-west divide in the EU and opposition criticism about Slovenia deepening ties with countries accused of regressing in terms of democracy, human rights and media freedom.

The prime minister said Slovenia was looking for various alliances in the EU, since the EU "is an alliance of compromises". Excluding certain alliances in advance would be imprudent, he argued.

Janša pointed out that Slovenia unsuccessfully backed the idea of so-called eurobonds to help finance Europe's recovery after the coronacrisis. The idea had strong support in Italy in Spain, hit the worst, he added, while stressing Slovenia would never forget that it was the Czech Republic that first came to Slovenia's aid with a shipment of face masks.

Continuing on the topic of the Covid-19 pandemic, Janša expressed hope a vaccine or cure would come soon. The forecasts are upbeat "but we are in for few more difficult months".

Pogovor s predsednikom največje evropske stranke #ELS @donaldtuskEPP o izzivih #Koronovirus in političnih razmerah v #EU. pic.twitter.com/WwmLitOdZW

— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) September 4, 2020

He hopes for a more harmonised EU approach to measures aimed at containing the virus, even though countries are again acting in a fairly individual fashion.

Janša was critical about the EU failing to coordinate reactions to the pandemic even at the level of experts. This is already happening the second time in a year. "But neither Slovenia nor other European countries can afford another lockdown of public life," he said.

Janša argued some time had been bought at the July EU summit and praised the fast reactions of European financial institutions as well as the IMF.

Europe is meanwhile also facing a tough future because of Brexit, which Janša labelled a strategic disaster that will hurt the EU for a long time to come. "We who are staying on will have bigger problems than those who are leaving," he added.

New balances are now being sought in the EU, but the coordination and search for joint decisions has not become easier because there is one member fewer, Janša argued.

Slovenia meanwhile remains a proponent of European coordination and a deepening of integration. It supports the expansion of the Schengen and euro areas.

It moreover supports enlargement to the Western Balkans. The stability of the region is of strategic importance for both the EU and Slovenia and EU membership prospects remain the best method in this respect, Janša said.

In the coming days the EU also faces discussions on Belarus and the oil- and gas-related territorial tensions between Greece and Turkey.

Janša said that given Slovenia's EU and NATO memberships there could be no dilemma as to which side Slovenia will take. It is necessary to share both the benefits and problems, while compromises must be sought too," he said.

STA, 4 September 2020 - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) named on Friday as suspects Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) president and Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec and her party colleague, Izola Mayor Danilo Markočič, in an investigation looking into alleged wrongdoing on Pivec's part official, part private trips to the coast and Kras.

The announcement comes a week after KPK boss Rober Šumi said the corruption watchdog was launching an investigation into the case, after having established risk of corruption in preliminary findings.

The names were released now, as both Pivec and Markočič have received mail informing them that they are being investigated, the KPK said in a press release today.

It also said that it was looking into events that took place in Izola and the Kras region in 2019 and 2020 for suspicion of violation of the public sector ethics and integrity rules, and violation of gift acceptance restrictions for public sector officials.

The preliminary inquiry was launched based on a question from the press, the KPK said. Alleged wrongdoing by Pivec made headlines in late July, following reports that she had taken family and DeSUS members on trips she undertook in her capacity as minister.

In one instance wine producer Vinakras covered a part of the expenses and organised an excursion that also featured her sons and spouse, capturing it all in a promotional video.

In another instance, Pivec stayed in Izola for a night, with several rooms at a local hotel paid for by the Izola municipality. She was accompanied on that trip by her two sons, two security officers and allegedly a party colleague.

Pivec later said that the sons stayed with friends to avoid exactly this kind of allegations and that the municipality had paid for the rooms of her security guards. But the police denied this, saying the guards had paid for their room with their business card.

There were also several contradicting statements made about what appear to be several modified hotel receipts by the hotel and the Izola municipality.

Pivec has denied a number of times that she had done anything wrong, underlining that she would never exploit the position of a government minister to her own benefit or the benefit of people close to her.

Markočič said in a written response for the STA that the municipality had immediately forwarded all relevant documents to the KPK, as well as the correspondence connected to Pivec's visit.

He said the documents clearly show that the municipality had no intention of violating anti-corruption legislation, adding that the municipality intended to continue to cooperate constructively with the KPK.

"Our sole intention was to make a reservation and pay for the rooms of the official delegation members. Once we uncovered the error in the hotel receipt payment, which did not correspond to the purchase order issued by the municipality, I took responsibility and reimbursed the municipality the miscalculated sum on 5 August," the mayor said.

While the opposition demand that Pivec resign as minister, some of the top party figures also want her gone as DeSUS head. The party has been split in two and is currently debating which body has the capacity to dismiss her.

Ultimately, her refusal to step down could lead the party's entire deputy group to jump ship.

Nevertheless, DeSUS's official response last week to the investigation was a welcoming one, expressing hope that the investigation would make an end to "manipulations and inhuman media and political pressure" exerted on Pivec.

DeSUS council president and Health Minster Tomaž Gantar, who is regarded as a potential successor of Pivec, said today that Pivec's troubles were "piling up", expressing the wish that she assume political responsibility and resign as party president.

"If she wants what's good for the party, she should step down," he said as he was giving a statement for the press after a meeting of the Economic and Social Council.

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:

Janša tells diplomats debate about core Europe involves false dilemma

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša dismissed at the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats concerns Slovenia is drifting away from the EU's core countries, saying the "saga about a core Europe" was a false dilemma that testified a lack of confidence. However, Slovenia does not have an inferiority complex, added Janša. He said Slovenia was looking for various alliances in the EU, since the EU "is an alliance of compromises". Excluding certain alliances in advance would be imprudent, he argued. Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, Janša expressed hope a vaccine or cure would come soon.

Slovenian, French FMs discuss cooperation among respective EU presidencies

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Slovenian and French foreign ministers Anže Logar and Jean-Yves Le Drian coordinated the preparations of their two countries for their upcoming EU presidencies in the second half of 2021 and first half of 2022, respectively, as Le Drian was a guest at the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats, presenting a vision for a more confident EU. The foreign ministers underlined the importance of coordinated presidency programmes among incumbent Germany, as well as Portugal in the first half of 2021 and Slovenia after that. Le Drian said the conclusions adopted at the July EU Summit would have to be implemented by "us", the member states leading the EU Council after the summit.

Tusk says freedom and fundamental values cannot be negotiated

LJUBLJANA - Donald Tusk, the president of the European People's Party (EPP), visited Slovenia to honour the 20th anniversary of New Slovenia (NSi), underscoring that even though EU countries and EPP parties may pursue different interests, the EU's fundamental values such as freedom of speech, tolerance and the rule of law, were non-negotiable. Commenting on the developments in Poland and Hungary that prompted the European Commission's procedure over the allegations that the rule of law is at risk, Tusk insisted that when freedom was at stake, there was no room for negotiation.

Pahor, French minister warn against east-west divide in EU

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, with the pair calling for efforts to avoid a divide between east and west in the EU so that the Iron Curtain is not replaced by a Velvet Curtain. They agreed that the upcoming conference on the future of Europe should be used for an honest and strong debate on the joint European project - the project of peace and all-around development.

Janša, Le Drian discuss business cooperation

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Prime Minister Janez Janša met French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the sidelines of the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats. The talks focussed on cooperation between Slovenia and France, especially in business. According to Janša's office, the prime minister also presented Slovenia's priorities for the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency in the second half of next year.

NSi celebrated as bridge between left and right

LJUBLJANA - The New Slovenia (NSi) marked its 20th anniversary with its head Matej Tonin labelling the party as a bridge between the left and right political poles. "I believe we can create a wave of cooperation together, which is to unite Slovenian politics," The president of the European People's Party (EPP) Donald Tusk said both Slovenia and Europe needed the NSi, a party choosing dialogue over confrontation, and bridges over walls.

47 new coronavirus cases in 1,733 tests in Slovenia on Thursday

LJUBLJANA - A record 1,733 tests conducted on Thursday confirmed 47 new Sars-CoV-2 infections in Slovenia, a slight drop on the 53 and 55 cases discovered on Wednesday and Tuesday. No new fatalities were reported, meaning the death toll remains at 134. The number of hospitalised patients decreased by two to 24, with three in intensive care. The total number of quarantine orders currently in force exceeds 9,000 and there are 505 active cases currently.

Minister Pivec and party colleague investigated by corruption watchdog

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) named as suspects Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) president and Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec and her party colleague, Izola Mayor Danilo Markočič, in an investigation looking into alleged wrongdoing on Pivec's semi-official-semi-private trips to the coast and Kras. The names were released now, as both Pivec and Markočič have received mail informing them that they are being investigated, the KPK said.

NSi leader says DeSUS crisis not affecting govt

LJUBLJANA - The government has no problems as it has a majority in parliament, New Slovenia (NSi) leader Matej Tonin said as he commented on the leadership crisis in the fellow coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) and a communication breakdown between the DeSUS leader and its MPs. However, there is now more focus on direct communication with DeSUS MPs, Tonin said, adding that DeSUS MPs seemed to support the government, so he would like it to stay that way.

Committee okays EUR 780m military investment in next six years

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Defence Committee confirmed on Thursday evening a government-sponsored bill on investment in the Slovenian army for 2021-2027. The coalition MPs were inclined to the plan to modernise the army, while the opposition, in particular the Left, opposed the plan to spend EUR 780 million for the military.

Army chief of staff supports EUR 780m investment in military

LJUBLJANA - As debate on the government's plan to spend EUR 780 million for the military in the next six years is heating up, Brigadier General Robert Glavaš, the chief of the general staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF), has assessed that the planned investments are necessary for the existence of the SAF. Pointing out there was hardly any investment in the SAF in the last ten years, Glavaš said the army had its commitments to meet both at home and abroad, adding that the army needed the planned funds so it could implement the tasks it was required to by the law and constitution, and in line with the commitments to NATO.

Slovenia needs smart projects to use EU funds, debate hears

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will be eligible for large amounts of EU funds in the coming years, but it will have to do a good job conceiving and implementing development-oriented projects, participants in a video debate hosted by the European Parliament in Slovenia agreed. Economist Mojmir Mrak said that the amount of EU funds available to Slovenia in the coming years will be the largest ever, noting that a proportion will have to be drawn fast. "There isn't a lot of time," he noted, but emphasised the positive aspect of the government responding to the situation rapidly.

Hungary grants border opening appeals from Slovenian minority

SZENTGOTTHARD - The Hungarian authorities granted an appeal from the Slovenian ethnic minority to open another border crossing for the locals, re-opening the Ketvolgy/Verica-Čepinci crossing as of Saturday between 6am and 6pm. The Hungarian authorities also granted an appeal to reopen the border crossing with Austria at Alsószölnök, which is used by Slovenian daily migrant workers. It is expected to be opened on Saturday and stay opened between 7am and 7pm.

Builder Kolektor Koling secures another major deal in Croatia

RIJEKA, Croatia - Builder Kolektor Koling signed the latest in a series of high-value construction contract in Croatia, this time for a EUR 35 million reconstruction of transport surfaces and rails at the port of Rijeka. The Slovenian builder will renovate over 110,000 square metres of surfaces, 1,625 metres of crane tracks and over 12 kilometres of rail tracks along with several other essential infrastructure segments at the port.

Telekom Slovenije selling its media arm TS Media

LJUBLJANA - Telecoms incumbent Telekom Slovenije is selling TS Media, a subsidiary running several online businesses, including the popular siol.net news portal. TS Media had 55 employees at the end of 2019, and generated EUR 6.4 million in revenue and a loss of EUR 318,000.

Filmmaker Maja Weiss honoured at docu festival

MARIBOR - Slovenian screenwriter and director Maja Weiss is in the focus of this year's Docudoc, the 9th festival of documentary film, which opened tonight. She will receive the Documentary Name 2020 citation for her outstanding contribution to the development of Slovenian documentary film. "This is not an award just for me but for all who have worked with me making documentaries over the past 35 years," the film director wrote in her thank-you note.

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STA, 4 September 2020 - Slovenia's biggest star chef Ana Roš and publisher Beletrina have launched the Slovenian language version of Roš's personal monograph, called Sun and Rain (Sonce in Dež). Also available in English, this is the first book from the globally acclaimed chef, who said "writing it was akin to a psychoanalytical experience".

Roš, who was recently awarded two Michelin stars, said at Thursday's launch in Ljubljana that she felt few chefs had approached a book in a way that would reveal the key elements of cuisine.

"It is about the territory and the season, I will always promote that. What is meanwhile also very important is the chef's personality, just like is the case with sculptors, poets, writers, painters - you can provide them all with the same colours, stand and canvas, but each of them will create a different work," the Hiša Franko chef said.

Roš, whose book includes contributions by journalist and translator Kaja Sajovic and 125 photos by Suzan Gabrijan, said Sun and Rain allowed clear insight into why she creates the way she does.

"Were I less truth-loving and dull, getting the essence of the book would be much harder," Roš said about the 256-page book, which was originally published in English by Phaidon.

"Read it, irrespective of the generation the reader belongs to, it will open a new perspective on somebody's work, while those dreaming of becoming a chef will definitely get a perspective on all the things that happen to an individual before they become truly formed," she added.

The latest statistics on coronavirus and Slovenia, and the latest police news on red, green and yellow list countries. All our stories on coronavirus and Slovenia. Can I transit Slovenia? Find out from the police...

Contents

Cases - Masks - Graves - Hungary

47 new coronavirus cases in 1,733 tests in Slovenia on Thursday

STA, 4 September 2020 - A record 1,733 tests conducted on Thursday confirmed 47 new Sars-CoV-2 infections in Slovenia, a slight drop on the 53 and 55 cases discovered on Wednesday and Tuesday. No new fatalities occurred, meaning the death toll remains at 134. The number of hospitalised patients decreased by two to 24, with three in intensive care.

The new cases put the total number of confirmed infections thus far at 3,079, 505 of which are active. The total number of quarantine orders currently in force exceeds 9,000.

Meanwhile, providing some cause for concern are reports of infections in staff from three kindergartens and pupils from several schools after the new school year started on Monday in-class for almost 191,000 primary and secondary pupils and almost 18,000 teachers.

Classes where cases were established are being quarantined and are mostly switching to remote learning. Schools with cases have remained open, an exception being a primary school in Braslovče where both the kindergarten and school were closed after four positive cases.

Government spokesman Jelko Kacin said today that the situation was no cause for alarm, as there are many schools and classes in Slovenia, meaning there will be cases. He explained that local epidemiologists have the final word about measures taken in individual cases.

Meanwhile, the new cases remain dispersed around the country. They were confirmed in 29 municipalities on Thursday, with Ljubljana again topping the chart with ten cases.

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Govt creates basis to fine those who flout face mask rules

STA, 3 September 2020 - The government has changed the legal basis for the mandatory wearing of face masks or other face coverings in public indoor spaces and for mandatory hand sanitising to make it possible to actually fine those who flout the rules.

The adoption of a new decree at today's government session was announced by government spokesman Jelko Kacin after Slovenia recorded a five-month spike in new coronavirus cases.

It comes after the human rights ombudsman, responding to a complaint by a member of the public, exposed a loophole that made it impossible to impose any sanctions on those violating the mandatory wearing of masks.

Kacin said the new rule on the mandatory of wearing masks will not apply to schools or sports and recreational activities where they will remain recommended. Unless schools were excluded, masks would also be mandatory in class, not just in common indoor areas.

However, masks will continue to be mandatory on public transport.

The new decree comes into effect from Friday when inspectors will start overseeing its implementation and will be able to issue penalty notices to violators.

Kacin said that masks would not be mandatory when sufficient distance between people can be kept. "If an office in a public space is big enough masks are not compulsory, especially when ventilation is possible."

Restrictions on gatherings in public places remain in place with the government Covid-19 advisory group warning that the restrictions must also apply to all private gatherings.

Slovenia recorded 53 new coronavirus infections for Wednesday after a five-month high of 55 the day before, which was on a record number of tests. Kacin noted that almost 50 more tests were performed on Wednesday than Tuesday.

The lab capacities are overstretched. "We fear there will be delays, that we'll be waiting for the results for the next day and that we won't have the real picture any longer," said Kacin.

Kacin said that many infected individuals would not tell the epidemiologists where they had caught the virus, so it was necessary to follow self-protective measures.

Turning to the deteriorating situation in other countries, he announced Slovenia would be forced to amend its quarantine list of countries.

The Covid-19 advisory group are currently discussing the possibility to let Croatian citizens living along the border visit their graves in Slovenia without mandatory quarantine ahead of All Saints Day, observed on 1 November.

However, Kacin noted that Croatia's coronavirus status was getting worse and would soon near 100 infections per 100,000 residents. This was after a public health official said yesterday that Slovenia's 14 day incidence was nearing 23 per 100,000.

Tatjana Lejko Zupanc, the head of the Infectious Disease Department of the Ljubljana UKC hospital, said that Covid-19 hospitalisations were on the rise and that an increasing number of patients required intensive care.

She reported that experience had shown the use of face masks as effective, including among health professions who avoided catching the virus from a family member because they were wearing a mask.

She urged everyone to follow the precautionary measures and act responsibly for the sake of themselves, their relatives and everyone else, in particular with the approach of autumn and winter when it will be no longer possible to see whether a person has a cold, flu or Covid-19.

Those hospitalised with Covid-19 are 63 years old on average, which is similar to the first wave of the epidemic. Patients with chronic conditions are hospitalised again, but this time around they do not have so grave chronic issues.

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Covid-19 makes it hard to visit relatives' graves across the border

STA, 3 September 2020 - The lives of some locals in border areas seem to be getting harder since Slovenia recently red-listed Croatia due to a rising number of Covid-19 cases. This prevents Croats from visiting the graves of their relatives across the border in Slovenia. Croatia would like the strict measures to be somewhat softened.

Croatia's Nova TV reported last evening that two Croatian citizens were not allowed to enter Slovenia to visit their relatives' graves in Jelšane, a Slovenian town just two kilometres from the Croatian town of Rupa.

There are some exceptions allowing Croatian citizens to enter Slovenia for a funeral of a relative or for business or some other urgent matters.

Slovenian and Croatian authorities have been notified of the difficulties by Croatian Mayor of Klana Željka Šarčević Grgić.

Although a meeting has been held in Slovenia's Ilirska Bistrica to discuss softer measures, she said the measures had in fact become stricter.

Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman told Nova TV that all open issues were being addressed, adding Croatia would appreciate if Croatians were allowed to visit their graves in Slovenia.

The locals would like to see a solution before 1 November, All Saints' Day, when Slovenians and Croats visit graves en masse.

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Hungary grants border opening appeals from Slovenian minority

STA, 4 September 2020 - The Hungarian authorities have granted an appeal from the Slovenian ethnic minority to open another border crossing for the locals, re-opening the Ketvolgy/Verica-Čepinci crossing as of Saturday between 6am and 6pm. A border crossing with Austria, important for Slovenian daily migrant workers, will also be reopened.

On Tuesday, Hungary closed its border for foreign citizens to contain the coronavirus, leaving only three border crossings with Slovenia operable - Pince (Tornyiszentmiklós on the Hungarian side), Dolga Vas (Hosszufalu) and Hodoš (Bajansenye).

The Slovenian minority on the other side of the border has been virtually cut off from Slovenia, and their representatives, as well as the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, have called on the Hungarian authorities to open one more small border crossing.

The Ketvolgy/Verica-Čepinci border crossing is very important for the minority, as travelling through other border crossings may prolong the journey by 100 kilometres or two hours.

Granting the appeal, Hungary also allowed parents who take their children to a bilingual school in Slovenia's Prosenjakovci to cross the local border crossing two times a day.

The restrictions on border travel have posed a problem for the primary school, which has 100 pupils, of whom 42 come from Hungary.

Erika Köleš Kiss, the minority's representative in Hungarian parliament, said that the representatives had strived for the border crossing to open even earlier, but were nevertheless happy with the outcome.

The Hungarian authorities also granted an appeal to reopen the border crossing with Austria at Alsószölnök, which is used by Slovenian daily migrant workers. It is expected to be opened on Saturday and stay opened between 7am and 7pm.

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STA, 3 September 2020 - President Borut Pahor said he was concerned that an east-west divide could eventually emerge in the EU, as he addressed the 24th annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju on Thursday. He said Slovenia had always built its national interest on strengthening the EU's unity, and hopes this remains the case in the future.

Even if the EU is in a certain crisis and deadlocked, these emerging divisions that can be noticed within the block are not in Slovenia's interest, he stressed.

"Where there used to be the Iron Curtain, there could be a kind of a Velvet Curtain in the future. I believe it's not in our interest for this to happen."

He said Slovenia's strategic foreign policy documents say the country wants to be part of the core of European integration and supports a deepened and expanded EU.

This does not mean Slovenia would not take part in various regional initiatives, which it always has, but always in a bid to strengthen the EU, not undermine it.

Pahor cautioned that "we should be careful, in particular if the crisis of EU development persists, that a new east-west divide does not emerge", arguing this would be a different kind of divide than other differences EU members have.

Pahor is convinced that just like every time before, Germany and France will find a solution to break the deadlock and strengthen unity, and Slovenia should be part of this.

PRS na posvetu slovenske diplomacije izpostavil skrb glede prihodnosti EU, poudaril je pomen multilateralizma, transatlantskega zavezništva in iskrenih prijateljskih odnosov s sosednjimi državami. #posvetdiplomacije pic.twitter.com/X2JUKEeXVu

— Borut Pahor (@BorutPahor) September 3, 2020

The president is happy Foreign Minister Anže Logar has invited France's Foreign and Europe Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to the annual meeting of diplomats, so he is looking forward to hearing what he has to say about the EU and its future on Friday.

He would also like more efforts to be made "for a conference on the EU's future", so that we arrive at solutions to secure "the EU's renaissance".

Pahor moreover strongly supported multilateralism, which he said needed some improvements, which must be made in dialogue and by consensus.

He also urged staying "committed to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, the Istanbul Convention, the Marrakesh Declaration", which he said "gives Slovenian foreign policy credibility".

He highlighted the role of transatlantic relations: "It is of utmost importance that there is a close alliance between Europe and North America which goes beyond a mere military alliance".

In global relations, also when it comes to Russia and China, Slovenia "is not seeking a balance between Russia and the US", he said.

"The US is our ally. Of course we want to have good relations with Russia. And with China. But the US is our ally and in this sense our privileged partner," he said.

Here Pahor labelled the recent visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Slovenia "a magnificent thing".

As for relations with neighbouring countries, he said they should be frank and amicable, while it takes foremost honest dialogue to resolve the open questions.

The president completed his address by urging diplomats to be active.

"We cannot be in a position when we are just taken by the flow of history, we have to be part of that flow," he said, recalling the period 30 years ago when Slovenia was seeking independence.

Commenting on Pahor and Logar's addresses, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksander Geržina assured the pair had not talked about opposing guidelines, but about complementary ones.

While Pahor focussed on the fear of a potential east-west divide, Logar announced changes to Slovenia's foreign policy by refreshing strategic documents and intensifying cooperation with Central European countries, foremost in the area of infrastructure modernisation.

"I think the president and the foreign minister complement each other. There are no such major differences between the east and the west as could be seen in reactions in the media and domestic politics," Geržina told the press at Brdo pri Kranju.

He indicated that debates on stronger divisions between eastern and western EU members were en exaggeration. "Germany and France also have different stances. But in fact we speak about the same things."

He also said that at the July summit the EU showed unity by adopting "a solidarity package" for post-Covid recovery in just five days. "The European Council had not been able to adopt something like that in just five days for several years."

"I believe it is in the common interest of the European east and west for the EU - which is the best story of this continent in history - to go on. In this story, we want to put Slovenia beck into the international arena," said Geržina.

Asked whether the French foreign minister's attendance at the diplomats' meeting was an attempt to balance the line-up of this year's Bled Strategic Forum, which was attended by prime ministers and presidents of East European countries, Geržina rejected the speculation.

"He said this group of countries ... did present a group with a kind of a common view of the Covid-19 situation, which resulted in a kind of closer cooperation and also the Slovenian government and the new foreign minister's awareness that this group of countries, which also includes Bavaria and Croatia, is the most important from the aspects of history, culture, politics and economy."

As for Janša siding with Poland and Hungary at the July summit in opposition the idea to peg coronavirus recovery funds to the respect of the rule of law, Geržina said "this time we showed solidarity with the two countries, perhaps sometime in the coming months we will show it with some other countries from the core EU."

He said that as an EU member Slovenia tries to understand the grievances of all EU members. "There is nothing final here. We try to react to discussions in the EU and to be more proactive in them then [Slovenia was] before."

STA, 3 September 2020 - By seizing European Central Bank (ECB) documents from the Slovenian central bank in an investigation of the 2013 bank bailout, Slovenia breached provisions of EU law that grant the ECB special immunity, an advocate general at the Court of Justice of the EU said in her opinion in a case brought against Slovenia by the EU Commission.

Advocate General Juliane Kokott said that by seizing communication and electronic documents from the premises of Banka Slovenije in 2016 without first coordinating with the ECB and securing a court decision, Slovenian law enforcement breached Articles 2, 18 and 22 of Protocol No. 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union.

After it seized the documents, Slovenia neither substantiated which documents are necessary for the national criminal procedure nor returned the remaining documents which constitute protected archives of the ECB, reads the opinion, which was presented at the court on Thursday.

The 21-page opinion, which is not binding on the court, thus upholds both claims made by the European Commission in the lawsuit against Slovenia.

Summing up the gist of the opinion, Advocate General of the European Court of Justice Gerard Hogan said that the court must now "resolve the tension" between the Union's interest in preserving the ECB's independence and the interest of member states to conduct effective criminal investigations.

The procedure is seen as an important precedent in that it raises important questions about the relationship between national authorities and EU institutions.

The protocol on privileges and immunities is rarely the subject of a legal dispute and the case could help clarify the circumstances under which immunity of Union archives applies. However, it remains unclear whether the court will deliver a final judgement at all.

Slovenia has so far rejected all allegations and a Slovenian legal representative said after oral arguments in June that the court's questions had indicated a favourable disposition towards Slovenia's arguments.

But just days before that, Prime Minister Janez Janša wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen inquiring about the conditions under which the Commission would be willing to withdraw its lawsuit.

In July Janša clarified that an agreement on withdrawal might involve ECB representatives coming to Slovenia and making it clear which of the seized materials constitute ECB archives. Slovenian law enforcement would have to agree on that.

The court says it does not have information about a possible withdrawal of the suit. Unofficial information from the Slovenian side indicates there have been no new developments in this respect. The lawsuit may be withdrawn at any point before the court hands down its ruling.

Commenting on the advocate general's opinion, Slovenian Justice Minister Lilijana Kozlovič said the opinion constituted "neither victory nor defeat since the case is a precedent".

"Regardless of the outcome, we will finally know what constitutes ECB archives, which has so far not been entirely clear," said the minister, noting that she could not comment in greater detail since the ministry had not yet received the opinion.

Asked whether Janša had been unsuccessful with regard to the possibility of a withdrawal of the lawsuit, Kozlovič said the court procedure was running independently while parties to the proceedings had other legal avenues at their disposal as well.

The Slovenian central bank would not comment, saying it was not a party to the proceedings. The Supreme State Prosecutor's Office would not comment at this point in the proceedings.

Janša meanwhile said on Twitter that the "abuse of the police directed by the [Social Democrats] SD party in the clash with [Banka Slovenije] Governor Jazbec has not worked out". He added that such abuses always shed bad light on the country.

The European Commission, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the advocate general's position.

"This follows the Commission's decision to refer Slovenia to the Court of Justice of the EU for the violation of the inviolability of the archives of the Union and the duty of sincere cooperation in the context of the seizure of ECB documents that took place at the Central Bank of Slovenia," the Commission said.

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This summary is provided by the STA:

Advocate General: Slovenia breached EU law on inviolability of ECB archives

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - By seizing European Central Bank (ECB) documents from the Slovenian central bank in an investigation of the 2013 bank bailout, Slovenia breached provisions of EU law that grant the ECB special immunity, an advocate general at the Court of Justice of the EU said in her opinion in a case brought against Slovenia by the EU Commission. After it seized the documents, Slovenia neither substantiated which documents are necessary for the national criminal procedure nor returned the remaining documents which constitute protected archives of the ECB, reads the opinion, which is not binding on the court. While Slovenian Justice Minister Lilijana Kozlovič said the opinion constituted "neither victory nor defeat since the case is a precedent", the European Commission welcomed the opinion.

FM announces more ambitious foreign policy, strategy overhaul

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Foreign Minister Anže Logar announced a more ambitious foreign policy of Slovenia, with the EU and NATO memberships as the fundamental framework, as he addressed the annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats. An overhaul of the main strategic foreign policy documents was also announced. Slovenia wants to be a responsible member of the EU, NATO and international community and not only a silent observer, and is returning to the diplomatic map, Logar said.

Pahor worried about potential east-west divide in EU

BRDO PRI KRANJU - President Borut Pahor said he was concerned that an east-west divide could eventually emerge in the EU, as he addressed the 24th annual meeting of Slovenian diplomats at Brdo pri Kranju. He said Slovenia had always built its national interest on strengthening the EU's unity, and hopes this remains the case in the future. Even if the EU is in a certain crisis and deadlocked, these emerging divisions that can be noticed within the block are not in Slovenia's interest, he stressed.

France and Slovenia keen to strengthen strategic partnership

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Anže Logar met his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian as part of an official two-day visit to Slovenia which the Foreign Ministry said reaffirmed the countries' shared interest in further strengthening of their strategic partnership. The ministry noted the importance of the partnership in light of of the countries' successive stints at the presidency of the Council of the EU as Slovenia passes on the baton to France in the first half of 2022.

Slovenia reports 53 new coronavirus cases, creates legal ground to fine mask rule violations

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 53 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday in record 1,653 tests. The number of confirmed cases was slightly lower than the day before but still among the highest reported. There were no new fatalities. Meanwhile, the government changed the legal basis for the mandatory wearing of face masks or other face coverings in public indoor spaces and for mandatory hand sanitising to make it possible to actually fine those who flout the rules.

First Slovenian satellites successfully deployed in space

KOUROU, French Guiana - Following a number of cancellations due to poor weather, the launch of Slovenia's first satellites, Trisat and Nemo HD, as part of a project by the European space company Arianespace, was successfully executed. Arianespace's Vega rocket, which carried a record 53 satellites from 13 countries, was successfully launched from French Guiana at 3:51am CET. Both Slovenian satellites, which are an important milestone for the country's as well as European space technology efforts, have already been placed in the orbit, with Nemo HD circulating at 515 kilometres and Trisat at 530 kilometres above Earth.

Jobless total down 1.4% on monthly level in August, but up 23.2% y/y

LJUBLJANA - The registered jobless total in Slovenia stood at 88,172 at the end of August, which is a 1.4% decrease on July but 23.2% above the August 2019 figure due to unemployment growth in April and May, show the latest Employment Service data. The number of newly registered persons was 5,277, down 35.8% compared to July but still 23.7% higher year-on-year. The Employment Service said that "compared to July, all key unemployment inflows were down".

Slovenia's Sušec appointed policy strategy head at ESM

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenian expert Matjaž Sušec has been appointed head of policy strategy and institutional relations at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the inter-governmental financial institution in charge of financial stability in the eurozone has announced. Sušec worked for the ESM before, being deputy head of policy strategy before being promoted to head, and having led a number of projects at the ESM.

Lot, Wizzair suspend Ljubljana flights

LJUBLJANA - Lot Polish Airlines will temporarily suspend its Ljubljana-Warsaw flights this month, with the last flight scheduled for 16 September. Further flights will be suspended until the start of the winter season. Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Wizz Air has cancelled its plans to fly between Ljubljana and Belgium's Charleroi over the coming winter. According to the Ex-Yu Aviation portal, Lot could still make changes to its plans for the winter season, which have not been confirmed yet.

Despite concerns, committee endorses changes to prosecution

LJUBLJANA - The Justice Committee endorsed amendments to the state prosecution act on second reading despite concerns raised by prosecutors and opposition MPs that they would undermine prosecutors' independence. Under the proposal a prosecutor's decision to dismiss charges for offences carrying more than three years in prison would have to be signed off by the head of the prosecution service. For offences carrying prison sentences of eight or more years, the head of the prosecution would need to consult two other prosecutors before endorsing the decision of the prosecutor in charge of the case.

More calls and book collection seek to stop controversial media reform

LJUBLJANA - The Journalism Chair at the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences launched a collection of 26 essays by 31 authors that raise concern about political subjugation of the media in Slovenia and urge withdrawal of the planned media reform. The editor of the 200-page publication, communicology professor Slavko Splichal, said it was an attempt in defence of free journalism and independent media and to show through argument "how harmful the current government's efforts". Splichal accused the government of contributing to the global corporate control of the media and spread of authoritarian politics.

UNICEF finds Slovenian children skilled but at risk of mental disease

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia ranks 9th in terms of child well-being among 41 of the world's richest countries, suggests the latest Innocenti Report Card by UNICEF. Slovenian children did very well in reading and mathematical skills but their mental health is a cause for concern, the report says. The country is among a dozen countries where less that 75% of children are happy with their lives. Slovenia did a bit better in physical health of children, placing 11th, but the share of obese children is concerning.

User-friendly versions of two laws on the disabled issued

LJUBLJANA - In a bid to reduce discrimination of vulnerable groups, user-friendly versions of the acts on social inclusion of disabled persons and on personal assistance have been issued, so that they could be more widely read and understood among the target groups. According to the authors, the partners around the 4ALL - Society without Discrimination project, these are the first Slovenian legal acts in a user-friendly version, which present in a simple and understandable way what is otherwise a demanding and lengthy content.

Two more ministries reject Poland's Istanbul Convention letter

LJUBLJANA - The ministries in charge of family and of foreign affairs have backed the Justice Ministry in its negative response to Poland's invitation to join it in withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, agreeing with the argument that there is no reason for a new document. Poland finds the treaty "harmful" because it requires schools to teach children about gender. Justice Minister Liljana Kozlovič aid Poland did not call on Slovenia to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, but to create a new initiative for a different regulation.

Govt expanding producer responsibility for waste

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted amendments to the environmental protection act as a stop-gap measure to tackle packaging waste until the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system is comprehensively overhauled as required by EU law, which needs to be done by 2023. In line with the new proposal packaging waste treatment companies will need to accept all waste from waste collection utility companies. Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak also announced changes to the packaging waste decree that will extend the waste packaging fee to those that put less than 15 tonnes of packaging on the market a year, the threshold being blamed for the large amounts of waste piling up at utility companies.

Slovenian Jana Bauer takes grand prize at literary festival in N Macedonia

SKOPJE - Jana Bauer, the winner of this year's Desetnica Prize for the best children's and youth book, has won the main prize at the Macedonian literary festival Another Story in what is the first time for an author of youth fiction to take the prize, publisher KUD Sodobnost International said. This year, the three-day festival, which started in Skopje today, focusses on youth literature and most events, including workshops, and story telling events, are dedicated to the winning book, Groznovilca v Hudi Hosti (Scary Fairy in Wicked Wood), which was released in 2011.

Police chase vehicle with 16 migrants from Ilirska Bistrica to Italy

ILIRSKA BISTRICA - Slovenian police chased on Wednesday evening a vehicle with Italian licence plates carrying 16 Eritrean citizens from the area of Ilriska Bistrica, a town in the south some 10km from Croatia, all the way to Italy, as the Spanish driver refused to pull over. When the vehicle finally stopped, the driver fled, but was caught some 300 metres from the vehicle, while the group of illegal migrants and the driver were taken over by Italian police.

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