Logar calls for implementation of Afghanistan benchmarks
NEW YORK, US - Foreign Minister Anže Logar urged his EU peers to stick with the agreement they reached at an informal meeting in Slovenia in September regarding Afghanistan, as EU foreign ministers held a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly on Monday. He said the framework agreed at September's Gymnich meeting should be implemented and the EU should pursue a single, coordinated approach to the management of migrations and the provision of humanitarian aid.
Slovenian, South Korean presidents exchange decorations
NEW YORK, US - President Borut Pahor and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in exchanged state decorations as they held talks on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting on Monday. Moon received the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service, conferred for exceptional work and merits rendered in advancing the sovereignty, prosperity, renown and progress of Slovenia, while Pahor was given the Grand Order of Mugunghwa for outstanding services in the interest of promoting the development and security of the Republic of Korea.
Minister urges Frontex to help member states, third countries
PORTOROŽ - The situation on the EU's external border, in particular on the border with Belarus, was high on the agenda as the management board of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) started a two-day meeting in Slovenia. Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said Frontex had to help EU member states as well as third countries. Fabrice Leggeri, the executive director of Frontex, said the agency was sending out the message that it was protecting European borders and was determined to protect them from hybrid threats whose goal was to destabilise Europe.
Aukus pact may be discussed by EU leaders at Brdo
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The issue of the Aukus pact between Australia, the UK and US was brought up by some EU member states a session of the EU's General Affairs Council, chaired by Gašper Dovžan, a state secretary at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry. Divžan said the issue was expected to be discussed at future meetings, including EU summit. The first opportunity will be as EU leaders meet over dinner to talk about China an trade ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit at Brdo on 6 October.
Debureaucratisation bill watered down
LJUBLJANA - The government removed the controversial cap on social security contributions from the omnibus debureaucratisation bill due to a lack of support, it follows from documents posted on the government web site. The new proposal of the bill, adopted by the government at a correspondence session on Monday, also no longer includes amendments to several other laws as they would block the legislative procedure. The original bill was to be discussed by parliament on first reading On Wednesday.
MPs divided on fines for indecent behaviour
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly debated amendments to the public order act that introduce fines for indecent behaviour if detected by police officers on the spot. Most opposition MPs said the purpose was to silence criticism of the authorities, while the coalition argued the goal was to prevent street violence. The proposal originally envisaged a EUR 500-1,000 fine for "fighting, shouting or acting indecently" toward top state officials, but the coalition expanded the offence to indecent behaviour towards anyone.
Four opposition parties finalise agreement on post-election cooperation
LJUBLJANA - Four centre-left opposition parties announced they had finalised an agreement on cooperation after the election. Party leaders initialled the agreement today and will sign it next week pending approval by the top decision-making bodies of each of the parties. The agreement involves the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Social Democrats (SD), Left and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB). The SAB council unanimously endorsed the pact, with the remaining parties to hold sessions at the weekend.
Two MPs to sue minister over false accusation
LJUBLJANA - Two opposition deputies will take Interior Minister Aleš Hojs to court after he implied they were participating in the organisation of anti-government protests. Hojs made the statement last week and was urged to apologise, but because he did not, Social Democrat (SD) MPs Matjaž Nemec and Marko Koprivec said they would lodge a lawsuit. If they win damages, they plan to donate the money to charity.
Over 1,300 new coronavirus infections, three deaths on Monday
LJUBLJANA - The number of positive coronavirus tests totalled 1,308 in Slovenia on Monday, according to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), in what is a slight drop from a week ago. The number of patients in hospitals was up further as ICU cases exceeded 100 for the first time since May. Three new deaths were reported.
Ministers call for greater energy connectivity in region
LJUBLJANA - A ministerial of the Initiative on Central and South-Eastern European Energy Connectivity agreed that energy connectivity is key for successful and cost-effective energy transition. The current situation and future of energy systems in the region was also debated with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The first part of the session in Ljubljana discussed priority electricity infrastructure projects, coupling of markets and inclusion of renewable energy sources in the system.
Court of Audit finds government partially successful in reducing poverty
LJUBLJANA - The Court of Audit has found that the government and the Labour Ministry were partially successful in reducing poverty between 2017 and 2020. While the main targets for the 2017-2020 period were met, the government and the ministry were not successful in reducing poverty risk rates for all deprived and vulnerable groups. The ministry said it was already acting to amend the flaws. Meanwhile, the opposition Left proposed the ministry recalculate the minimum cost of living, which determines the level of social transfers and the minimum wage.
Man who raised controversy with Hitler tweet in prison
LJUBLJANA - The online edition of Večer reported that Urban Purgar, a high-profile member of the far-right Yellow Jackets movement who sparked controversy in Slovenia with a tweet glorifying Hitler, is in prison since Monday, allegedly for committing the crime of violence. Purgar resigned as the head of the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Values earlier this month in the wake of controversy after he posted a tweet reading "Hitler is #hero" on 1 August.
Budget R&D spending up for fifth year in a row
LJUBLJANA - Budget funding for research and development (R&D) stood at EUR 243.5 million in 2020, up 11% over the year before and the fifth consecutive annual increase, show Statistics Office data. Spending increased in relative terms as well, amounting to 0.52% of GDP.
Slovenia submits Sanremo for nomination in Oscars race
LJUBLJANA - Sanremo, a film about life in a nursing home and dementia, by Miroslav Mandić has been selected by a group of experts as the Slovenian entry for a nomination for the best international feature film award at the Oscars 2022, announced the Slovenian Association of Filmmakers.
Diaspora painter Klavdij Palčič dies
TRIESTE, Italy - Klavdij Palčič, a leading ethnic Slovenian artist from Italy, has died aged 81 after a long illness, Primorski Dnevnik reported. He was a politically active member of the minority and headed the Slovenian Cultural and Economic Association for several years. Alongside his teacher Avgust Černigoj (1898-1985) and Lojze Spacal (1907-2000), Palčič is considered one of the finest Slovenian artists from Trieste.
Slovenia generated almost 9% less waste last year y/y
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia generated less waste in 2020 compared to 2019, according to the Statistics Office. Less waste was generated in economic activities, while municipal waste from households and the healthcare sector increased, especially waste that requires special collection and disposal treatment to prevent infection, due to Covid-19.
Potočar wins silver in lead at Climbing Worlds
MOSCOW, Russia - Luka Potočar won silver in the men's lead event at the IFSC Climbing World Championships in Moscow in what is the best career achievement for the 19-year-old and the 19th medal for Slovenia ever at the competition, the first in the lead event for men. As many as 17 of these medals have been won by women climbers, including seven by Olympic gold medallist Janja Garnbret, who is not participating in the World Championships in Russia.
Tomaž Barada to head Slovenian team at 2022 Winter Olympics
LJUBLJANA - The executive committee of the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) named Tomaž Barada, the president of the OKS expert committee for professional sport, the head of the Slovenian team at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, which will take place from 4 to 20 February 2022. The current vice-president of the OKS is a former martial artist in kick boxing and taekwon-do, in which he has won six European champion and three world champion titles.
