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This summary is provided by the STA
Slovenia argues for balanced approach in meets with World Bank and IMF
WASHINGTON, US - Finance Minister Andrej Bertoncelj met representatives of the World Bank and the IMF on the sidelines of the two organisation's spring meetings to highlight Slovenia's effort to find the right balance between fiscal stability and prosperity for its people. While senior World Bank and IMF officials stressed the importance of appropriate fiscal policies and structural reforms, Bertoncelj said they were content with Slovenia's progress. So were representatives of credit rating agencies S&P, Fitch, and Moody's, which are "preserving a positive outlook for Slovenia despite the cooling in the international business environment".
Slovenia commemorates US bomber crash during WWII
POLZELA - President Borut Pahor and US congressman Paul A. Gosar honoured eight crew members of a downed US bomber, who lost their lives in a crash near Polzela (NE) during WWII, as speakers at a ceremony that also celebrated Slovenian-American Friendship and Alliance Day. Pahor marked the 75th anniversary of the downing by laying a wreath at the memorial commemorating the crew. He highlighted the long tradition of friendship between Slovenia and the US, adding it also allowed for occasional differences in views. Gosar, a Republican of Slovenian descent who is visiting at the invitation of the president, argued that Slovenian generosity and courage had also given hope and light to the downed US soldiers.
Pahor says Slovenia must react to transgressions, but must not burn bridges
POLZELA - Commenting on tensions over separate incidents involving Hungary, Croatia and Italy, President Borut Pahor said it is in order for Slovenia to react when neighbours act in unacceptable ways. However at the same time, Slovenia needs to carefully build bridges of cooperation and open new doors as opposed to shutting them. Speaking to the press on the sidelines of a memorial ceremony in Polzela, Pahor said that this was his message and that he hoped it would be accepted in good faith and not end up looking naive.
Committee hears measures tackling GPs crisis coming, agrees doctors overworked
LJUBLJANA - While a marathon session held on Friday by the parliamentary Health Committee brought no conclusive solutions to the GPs crisis, participants mostly agreed that doctors are overworked. Health Minister Aleš Šabeder assured MPs that measures were in the pipeline and expressed his belief the resignations of dozens of GPs will not materialise. Meanwhile, the debate got overshadowed by allegations a push was under way by GPs to also allow private concession arrangements for them. The head of Praktikum union of GPs Igor Muževič rejected the privatisation accusations in the strongest terms, saying the doctors merely wanted the ceiling for the number of patients they treat to be respected.
SNS EU slate to be topped by party head Jelinčič
OTOČEC - The Slovenian National Party (SNS) confirmed at its congress that the party's slate in the May EU election will be topped by its president Zmago Jeličnič. Jelinčič, who has been the face of the far-right party ever since he founded it in 1991, highlighted the SNS's successful comeback to parliament last year after a seven-year absence and repeated his criticism of Slovenia's and Europe's approach to the migration issue. He said the SNS wanted a Europe that will give its due to individual nation states, a Europe where all countries will have equal voting power and where each state will also be able to ignore certain EU demands.
Aluminium producer Talum with much lower profit in 2018
KIDRIČEVO - Despite a hard situation on the global market, the Slovenian aluminium producer Talum managed to up revenue by 6% to EUR 365m in 2018, yet profit plummeted by around 70% to EUR 640,000, unaudited figures show. The Kidričevo-based group is a leading Slovenian producer of aluminium, but it has also increased its production of aluminium end products.
