STA, 20 February 2019 - Slovenian bank NKBM has warned against suspicions transactions from Slovenia mostly to Turkey which it believes amount to a romance scam. Slovenian women transferred over 200,000 euros to persons they met online in 14 such transactions the bank detected in January and December alone.

The bulk of the money went to Istanbul but some transactions were also made to Cyprus, Spain, the US and Estonia, Laura Jekler, head of NKBM's anti-fraud department, told the press in Maribor on Wednesday.

The con-artists usually get in touch with the victims on Facebook or Messenger. The sums the women are asked to wire are low at first, 100-200 euros, but soon rise to as much as 10,000s euro.

Among the 14 transactions, more than 60,000 euros was transferred in a single case, the bank official explained.

Tadej Hren from SI-CERT, the national cybersecurity response centre, said the money most probably ends up at bank accounts of money mules, who then forward it.

"The trace of the money disappears very quickly," he said, adding the first such case in Slovenia was identified in 2013, but this practice gained ground last year.

While one to two cases had been discovered before 2018, there were as many as 40 reports of such fraud last year.

"The reported cases are probably just the tip of the iceberg because many people just don't not want to talk about it," Hren explained.

A major obstacle to investigating this illegal practice is that victims do not want to face the truth.

The crooks usually target middle-aged women who are often lonely, divorced or live on their own, promising them happiness, said Hren.

Some women have admitted the whole thing seemed suspicious but they did not want to stop it because they were happy, said Hren, adding "it hurt them more to be rejected than to lose the money".

NKBM employees have been instructed to be alert and always check the origin of the money if cash is used in suspicious bank transfers.

The bank has also launched a special website with information on how to identify such fraud and how to act, advising the victims to report it to the police.

Prosecuting such fraud is difficult though, especially since the suspects often come from countries with loose anti-money laundering legislation.

STA, 19 February 2019 - Economists warn against selling Slovenian flagship wine producers to non-strategic buyers, which are usually not interested in long-term development but quick profit. They believe strategic buyers could be found at home.

 Marko Hočevar and Aleš Kuhar have spoken to the STA after Istrabenz recently put on sale its 50% stake in Adriafin, the firm which owns almost 78% of Vinakoper.

They believe that for Vinakoper, one of the leading wine companies in Slovenia, getting a non-strategic owner would be "bad news".

Vinakoper is the leading wine maker on the coast, in the south-west of the country, where it has some 590 hectares of vineyards.

Another well-known wine maker, Vinag, a storied Maribor winery that traces its history to the 19th century, was sold to a company whose plans for the winery are not clear just yesterday. The new owner, Metalka Commerce is part of a business empire of Marjan Pišljar, dealing mostly in real estate and stocks.

Hočevar says there have been several takeovers lately with negative consequences for the acquired Slovenian wine companies, as non-strategic owners, such as various funds, are usually interested only in making quick profit from the wine producers' real estate or in other yields.

"I don't think it'd be good for Vinakoper to be taken over by a fund or somebody who sees its advantage in buildings rather than in the long-term development."

Since there are several solid wine makers in Slovenia, he believes Goriška Brda, another wine company from the Primorska region, could take over Vinakoper.

Kuhar shares Hočevar's view about the dark side of non-strategic owners, but notes the business models of Klet Brda and Vinakoper are somewhat different.

"Nevertheless, they could find synergies. The key question is the price and if Klet Brda would be able to finance such a purchase. Otherwise I see no problems," he says.

Hočevar says winemaking is one of the more important domestic industries, noting it is important economically, while Slovenians "are also culturally attached to wine".

In the business year 2017/2018, Slovenia produced almost 626,000 hectolitres of wine, meaning it was 91% self-sufficient.

Kuhar believes winemaking has a major development potential. "Winemaking is one of the most development-oriented branches of agriculture."

However, he also points to the grey market, which is thriving as wine production for own use often ends up in bars and restaurants and the state tolerates this.

Being in receivership, Istrabenz had tried to sell Adriafin before, and Adriafin's other owner - port operator Luka Koper - has the pre-emptive right to buy the company.

The 2016 attempt produced several potential buyers, including a Koper utility, which offered some EUR 2.5m for it, while Pišljar's Metalka Commerce offered somewhat more.

This time, the deadline for binding bids expires on 1 March.

February 20, 2019

Ljubljana Pride Parade will happen on June 22 this year, and preparations for the event have already started.

To make sure everything works as it should, Pride is calling for Slovenian and foreign volunteers, preferably LGBTIQ+ people aged between 18 and 30 who are interested in LGBTIQ+ organisations, topics and politics. Legal EU residence is a must.

In return for help with organisation of the event, volunteers will get accommodation and food expenses covered, some pocket money, and other benefits. There are only 15 vacancies to be filled, so hurry and secure your place in Ljubljana this summer. 

Find more details here and here. 

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Related: Meet the People: Simona Muršec, President of Ljubljana Pride

I’m a UK national in Slovenia, so trust me when I say I’m doing my best to follow the implications of Brexit for folk like me, and also that this article might no longer be your best source of information. Today is February 20, 2019, and with March 29 – “Brexit Day” – just 37 days away, things are likely to get very dynamic in the next few weeks.

You can follow Led by Donkeys on Twitter

So whenever you’re reading this your most reliable source of information is the UK government’s official webpage for Living in Slovenia. This is clean, well organised and contains links to further information and how to apply for any documents you might need. I recommend you visit this site, bookmark it, and use it as your primary source of information for the UK side of things. You should also follow the Embassy on Facebook and / or Twitter. If you know any British people in Slovenia who aren't on Facebook, or who don't read Total Slovenia News, then telling them about these resources would be a kind thing to do.

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With regard to the Slovenian side, where the laws covering your life here are made, the government is still preparing a website to answer your questions. This is expected to be online by the end of February, when – as everyone hopes – there’ll be a more clarity with regard to deal or no deal, and thus what the situation will be. One benefit regardless of what happens, and regardless of whether you’re a UK national or not, is that this site will aim to remove the confusion and discrepancies that now exist at the various Upravna enota around the country, such as whether or not you need to change your UK driving licence to a Slovenian one (you do, and you can find out how to do that here).

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Please use these official sources of information, and do not rely on heresay, what was true two years ago, or even what your local Upravna enota says if it contradicts the messages from on high. What follows is a copy of the text being handed out at the various outreach meetings the UK Embassy is having around Slovenia at the moment, dated 18 February 2019

SUGGESTIONS FOR UK NATIONALS IN SLOVENIA (18 February 2019)

Under the terms of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, there will be broad continuity for your rights in Slovenia. The below is relevant only in a scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without a deal. [JL Flanner: But note that deal / no deal might not be clear until 23:59 March 29, so plan for no deal now]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia (www.mzz.si) will shortly be launching a page on their website dedicated to UK nationals resident in Slovenia. providing instructions and advice on what to do before 291h March 2019. Please also follow the Embassy's digital channels and our Living in Slovenia guide for updates: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-slovenia.In advance of this more definitive guidance, on the basis of our current understanding of the Slovene Government's position, the British Embassy suggests UK nationals in Slovenia consider the steps below to safeguard their rights should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

• Sign up to Living in Slovenia on gov.uk and follow the Embassy's social media channels (Facebook, Twitter)
• If you're staying in Slovenia for more than 3 months, you need to apply for a residence registration certificate at your local town hall (Upravna enota). Please see entering Slovenia.
• Exchange your UK driver's licence for a local one. The process takes up to 2 weeks at your local Upravna enota and costs €22. This will enable you to drive in all EU countries and will also be recognised by the UK.
• If you meet the requirements of the Health Care and Health Insurance Act (ZZVZZ) to be included in compulsory health insurance in Slovenia you will receive a Slovenian health insurance card for the provision of services in Slovenia. You can therefore apply for this health card yourselves or for your family members by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS). We suggest all UK nationals resident in Slovenia obtain this health insurance.
• If you are a pensioner and currently access healthcare in Slovenia via an S1 form, you will need to obtain compulsory health insurance as other residents are required to (monthly cost of approx. 30 — 50 euros)
• If you own a 2nd property in Slovenia but are currently resident in the UK you will need to decide whether to consider Slovenia as your official place of residence to enjoy the rights of UK nationals resident here. If you continue to hold your residency in the UK, you may be limited as to the amount of time you are able to spend visa-free in Slovenia (90 days in a 180 day period).
• If you are visiting Slovenia for 3 months or less or have family or friends travelling to Slovenia for short-term visits, we recommend obtaining private travel insurance to cover healthcare costs for the period you are visiting.
• Dual nationality will not be permitted after 29 March 2019 for most people (exceptions include being of Slovene descent). The Slovene government have confirmed that all applications for dual nationality before 29 March 2019 will be treated on the same basis as now (i.e. you will be able to hold dual nationality).
• If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, passport validity requirements will change. You should ensure that you have at least 6 months validity on your British passport before the date of entry to the Schengen area, including entering Slovenia.

You can follow Led by Donkeys on Twitter

STA, 19 February 2019 - A civil initiative has been formed to fight sexual abuse by members of the Slovenian Catholic Church, and to provide comprehensive assistance to victims of such abuse, including psychosocial and legal assistance in criminal and church proceedings.

The initiative Dovolj.je (It's Enough), which was presented to the press on Tuesday, calls for full protection of victims of sexual abuse and urges the Slovenian Catholic Church to show zero tolerance to such acts.

It connects active Catholics of various professions who have indirectly or directly faced sexual abuse in the Slovenian Catholic Church.

Its member Igor Vovk said at today's press conference in Ljubljana that the initiative had been launched because its members believed that the Catholic Church did too little to protect victims of sexual abuse.

Vovk, who heads the Catholic portal Iskreni.net, added that the Catholic Church should also take more concrete, quicker and more determinate measures against perpetrators.

"It's hard to hear testimonies by victims of sexual abuse, and it's even harder to hear they haven't been taken seriously by those in charge," he said.

"Many perpetrators have faced no consequences, and when measures were taken, they were too mild. We won't tolerate this any longer, regardless of how high the position the Church dignitary involved in such acts," added Vovk.

Members of the initiative and experts in various fields may as of today be contacted at the website dovolj.je, which is a "safe space" for the victims to report and testify about sexual abuse by Church representatives.

All Slovenian bishops are expected to take every reported case of abuse by any priest or religion teacher seriously and remove the perpetrator from the position where they can repeat the act.

Tomaž Pisk, who represented several sexual abuse victims in church proceedings, noted that the guidelines for what measures to take in case of sexual abuse, whose latest version was adopted in 2014, were not being fully implemented.

Pisk added that the initiative encouraged everybody to report sexual abuse by clerics at the website, even if the abuse had been experienced a long time ago and even if the perpetrator had already died.

The initiative was presented last week to Ljubljana Archbishop Stanislav Zore, the head of the Slovenian Bishops' Conference, which said in a press release today that the Slovenian Catholic Church had zero tolerance for any case of sexual abuse.

The conference said a series of measures had been taken in that department, including the establishment in 2009 of a task force for resolving sexual abuse cases. According to its statistics, the group dealt with two reports of sexual abuse in 2017.

So far, the task force looked into 12 cases of alleged sexual abuse. Only four of the cases were also investigated by the police, according to a report by public broadcaster TV Slovenija.

The perpetrators in all 12 cases were men, clerics, while the victims were all minors, five girls and seven boys.

The task force also told TV Slovenija that a total of 18 priests exited the clergy since 1993 in Slovenia. Some did so of their own volition, some were stripped of their function as a punishment.

All our stories about the Catholic Church in Slovenia can be found here

STA, 19 February 2019 - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec and his Finnish host Juha Sipilä agreed in Helsinki on Tuesday that the two countries shared a number of interests and views as regards the future of the EU. They focused on topical EU issues and Finland's upcoming presidency over the bloc.

Highlighted as an example of shared interests was the recent letter for higher EU rural development funding after 2021, initiated by Slovenia and singed by the agriculture ministers of 15 member states. Finland was one of the main supporters of the initiative.

Meanwhile, Šarec listed the deepening of the common market, the circular and digital economy, stronger foreign trade and climate change among the key challenges of the EU.

He argued that the common market still needed to get rid of remaining limitations to the free flow of persons, goods and services, the government said in a press release.

The pair also talked about EU presidency preparations, with both countries being small members and thus benefiting from the exchange of experience. Finland's six-month stint is due later this year and Slovenia's in the second half of 2021.

Brexit and the EU's 2021-2027 financial perspective were given ample attention as well, with Šarec and Sipilä calling for closer cooperation between the two countries, not only in EU affairs but also in the economy, culture and other fields.

As part of the working visit, Šarec also met the leadership of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. Slovenia plans to step up activities this year to join the centre, which currently has 20 EU and NATO members cooperating in efforts against hybrid threats, the government announced.

Šarec also attended a working dinner featuring his counterparts from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland and the Netherlands. All of them members of ALDE, they exchanged views on EU affairs ahead of the 9 May informal summit in Sibiu, Romania.

They issued a joint statement after the meeting in which they reiterated their call for a strong Europe that will be an engine of growth, create jobs, security and prosperity for all.

They also called for a Europe that will promote the rule of law and act as a global leader in the fight against climate change.

Moreover, the statement highlights the importance of the upcoming European elections and warns against the negative consequences of populism.

Below is a review of the headlines in Slovenian dailies for Wednesday, 20 February 2019, as summarised by the STA:

DELO

Railway transport
"I'm standing at the station waiting for the train that arrives ...": A comparison of different means of transport has revealed that the fastest way to travel around Slovenia in ideal weather like yesterday is by car. (front page, 4, 7)

Church
"Priests to honour only one set of morals from now on": In line with Pope Francis's wish to banish double standards from the Catholic Church, a meeting will be held in the Vatican at the end of this week discussing sexual abuse of children. (front page, 3)

Film
"Evening of directors": The Association of Slovenian Film Directors conferred the 5th Štiglic Awards last night, honouring director, animator and producer Zdravko Barišič for lifetime achievement. (front page)

DNEVNIK

Church
"Believers: Enough of sexual abuses!": A civil initiative dubbed Dovolj.je (It's Enough) has been formed to fight sexual abuse by members of the Slovenian Catholic Church, and to provide comprehensive assistance to victims of such abuse. (front page, 2)

Search for new culture minister
"Long search for new culture minister": The coalition Social Democrats (SD) are expected to soon reveal their candidate for the new culture minister, possibly today. Several potential candidates have been mentioned, most recently Zoran Poznič, the head of the Trbovlje cultural centre. (front page, 3)

Novo Mesto fire
"Fire: Agricultural school Grm was on fire": A part of the Centre of Biotechnology and Tourism in Sevno near Novo Mesto caught fire yesterday afternoon. (front page, 12)

FINANCE

Inspections
"Whom will inspectors scrutinise this year": The paper brings an overview of this year's plans of labour, market, environmental and infrastructure inspectors. (front page, 2-3)

Loans
"Consumer loan boom": The share of consumer loans, which are considered risky, has exceeded 25% of all loans. Total loans to citizens exceeded EUR 10bn for the first time ever at the end of last year. (front page, 4-5)

New apartments in Koper
"When market is flooded with almost 270 new apartments": While the construction of apartments in Ljubljana has come to a standstill as investors are waiting for construction permits, building will be in full swing in Koper in the coming weeks, where some 270 apartments are to be built. (front page, 6)

VEČER

Health
"In the valley as early as this year": A clinic for treatment of lung disease of the Maribor UKC hospital currently operating in Slivniško Pohorje is to be moved to Maribor. If the Health Ministry does not finance the transfer, the hospital will, UKC Maribor says. (front page, 9)

Taxes
"Giving quarter of capital gaina to the state": The Miro Cerar government did not make any changes to the corporate income tax law, while the Marjan Šarec government is still drafting a tax reform. (front page, 2-3)

EU funding
"Best practices a magnet for elections": Examples from other countries, such as the Netherlands and Portugal, show EU funds can promote research and innovation in health, the paper says, noting that Slovenia should also apply for such funding. (front page, 6)

While other firms that make products related to bathroom concerns may like to use a lateral approach when discussing the merits of their goods, such as the soft and fluffy puppies that have been used to promote a certain brand of toilet paper in the UK for decades, Donat Mg is upfront and unashamed about the benefits that drinking its mineral water will bring to consumers.

"Also a holiday for your digestion" Photo: donatmg.eu

"The royal treatment for your digestion" donatmg.eu

They will poop, more easily and with pleasure, thus relieving constipation and discomfort. What’s more, the firm has a tradition of award-winning advertisements that confront the issue head on, giving the brand a strong identity that’s loud, proud and arresting, with one of the more sophisticated campaigns that we’ve seen in Slovenia.

The water comes from the springs of Rogaška Slatina, which have been known of since Roman times and used for spa treatments since at least the 17^th century, although the spring which provides the water from Donat Mg was only discovered in 1908.

The drink works its digestive magic due to the sulphate salts it contains, which give the water the property of hyperosmolarity, and thus it's a natural osmotic laxative. As noted on the brand’s website:

Its effectiveness as a laxative is due to sulphate salts (magnesium sulphate or Epsom salt and sodium sulphate or Glauber’s salt) and around 1000 mg/l of magnesium. Sulphates draw water from the cells of the intestinal wall by osmosis, increasing the volume of intestinal content 3 to 5 times; this exerts pressure on the intestinal wall and triggers its peristalsis or movement. Magnesium also additionally stimulates the intestinal hormones that boost peristalsis.

Consumers are thus advised to treat Donat Mg with some respect, and to take care not to drink a bottle or three when simple sparkling water, such as the similarly packaged Radenska, is desired. While the bottom won’t fall out of your world if you make such a mistake, the world might fall out of your bottom.

Related: Slovenian brands - Radenska (videos)

STA, 18 February - President Borut Pahor will meet top EU and NATO officials in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday to promote a conference which Slovenia will host in June as part of the Three Seas Initiative. Their meetings will also focus on the upcoming EU elections.

On Wednesday, Pahor is scheduled to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

A meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk is scheduled for Thursday.

"The visit to Brussels is an opportunity to continue dialogue on topical international, European and regional issues at the highest political level," Pahor's office said before the visit.

Pahor is expected to discuss in Brussels Slovenia's active role in the EU and NATO, the EU's future and preparations for two conferences - a summit of the Brdo-Brijuni Process in Albania in May and the meeting of the presidents of the countries of the Three Seas Initiative in Slovenia in June.

"Both conferences are to be attended by high EU representatives," the president's office said. Promoting the conference hosted by Slovenia is one of the main purposes of the visit, it added.

The initiative, comprising a dozen EU members and connecting the Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea, aims to strengthen the cooperation in infrastructure on the north-south axis and is to help find investors for these projects, including from the US, according to the office.

Slovenia will host the fourth summit of the initiative, which is still evolving. Pahor said at the Munich Security Conference last week that the initiative was "an advocate of a strong and united Europe" and "support to pan-European cooperation."

He also rejected allegation that the US wanted to turn the forum into a club like the Chinese 16+1 initiative.

According to the European Commission, Pahor will discuss topical EU issues with the EU officials in Brussels. The meeting with Mogherini is expected to focus on the Western Balkans.

An important topic will also be the upcoming EU elections and the rise of right-leaning, Eurosceptic parties.

The controversial statements made by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani at a commemoration in Basovizza, Italy, last week, which Slovenia interpreted as territorial claims, are also expected to come up.

Meanwhile, Pahor's meeting with Stoltenberg will be an opportunity to discuss topical NATO issues, reaffirm Slovenia's participation in the alliance and exchange views on other political and security issues that concern Slovenia and NATO, the president's office said.

Defence spending will undoubtedly be discussed as well, given that Slovenia is far from achieving NATO's goal of allocating 2% of GDP to defence by 2024. Slovenia's defence spending is to rise to 1.5% of GDP by then.

NATO member states should invest 20% of their defence budget funds into development of their capabilities, while Slovenia invests only 4.5%.

Pahor's visit also marks the 15th anniversary of Slovenia's EU and NATO memberships.

The president last paid a visit to Brussels at the beginning of January 2017. This will be his fourth meeting with the heads of EU institutions since he took office.

The first meeting was held in January 2013, when he chose Brussels for his first official visit after assuming office a month earlier.

Pahor's visit to NATO's headquarters will be the second visit of a Slovenian president since the country became a full-fledged member. It was Pahor who paid the first visit, in January last year.

Pahor has spent quite a lot of time in Brussels in his career. Prior to becoming prime minister in November 2008, he served as MEP from 2004. As prime minister he regularly attended EU summits there until February 2012.

STA, 18 February 2019 - The Ljubljana city council has unanimously endorsed a decision that allows furniture giant Ikea to start building its store in Ljubljana's shopping district BTC. The first Ikea shop in Slovenia could open next year.

The councillors endorsed at Monday's session the decision allowing Ikea to apply for an operating permit even though the required access road south of the planned shop has not been built yet.

The land needed to build the access road leading from Kajuhova Street was supposed to be acquired by the local authorities, but the acquisition has been marred by ownership complications.

The land is owned by company Protect GL, which is in receivership, and the municipality has failed to come to an agreement on the price with the official receiver.

In the summer of 2016, the municipality launched expropriation proceedings, which were suspended last autumn on the municipality's own initiative, as it wanted the proceedings to be carried out under the new legislation.

Ikea will now be able to soon launch the construction of the shop, which could open its doors in 2020. The 30,000 sq-metre shop has been estimated at EUR 80m and is expected to bring around 300 jobs.