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This summary is provided by the STA:
Janša says EU should send diplomatic representative back to Ukraine
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša told RTV Slovenija that his visit to Kyiv with the Czech and Polish counterparts was not coordinated with Russia. The EU did inform the UN about the visit though, which then informed Russia. Janša told the Odmevi current affairs show on Thursday evening that he hoped the visit to Kyiv was a step towards an ceasefire, "and above all it is a message that we have not written Ukraine off". He noted that they had the mandate of the respective governments and that the EU should return a diplomatic representative to Ukraine, despite the high risk.
Slovenia to help Poland treat sick Ukrainian refugees
LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar announced after meeting Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Olendzki that Slovenia would welcome Ukrainian patients to mitigate the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Polish healthcare system. He said the plan was to mostly take in Ukrainian patients in need of rehabilitation and treatment for tuberculosis, and patients who need haemodialysis, who have had organ transplants, cancer patients, pregnant women and some intensive care cases. Talks are also under way about sending Slovenian healthcare workers to Poland.
New centre for Ukrainian refugees opens on the coast
ANKARAN - The government established a new centre for Ukrainian refugees at Interior Ministry premises on the Debeli Rtič peninsula, which have been transferred to the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants. Almost 50 Ukrainian refugees, half of them children, are already accommodated there, more than half the planned number, according to the head of the government office, Katarina Štrukelj. The centre will accept only refugees from Ukraine, most of whom are mothers with children.
Porić officially inaugurated as mufti
LJUBLJANA - Nevzet Porić, who was elected mufti of the Islamic community in Slovenia in June 2021, was officially inaugurated in Ljubljana's Muslim Cultural Centre. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Islamic communities from Austria, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia, and representatives of other religious communities in Slovenia. Porić told POP TV that the Muslim community's position in Slovenia was good, but there were some outstanding issues.
Petrol group's net profit up 72% to EUR 124.5m last year
LJUBLJANA - The energy group Petrol generated sales revenues of EUR 4.96 billion in 2021, which is up 61% year-on-year. Net profit was up by 72% to EUR 124.5 million. The group posted EUR 543.4 million in adjusted gross profit, up 27% over 2020, while EBITDA increased by 43% to EUR 238.1 million. The management will propose a dividend of EUR 30 gross per share for 2021, in line with the relevant policy. At the 21 April AGM, the shareholders will also vote on a 20:1 share split, proposed to improve liquidity and attract new investors.
Magna Steyr resumes production in Hoče
HOČE - The Austrian-Canadian multinational Magna Steyr this week resumed production at the Hoče paint shop after a suspension of almost two years due to the pandemic. The company has also been granted a two-year extension to meet its commitments in exchange for the government incentive approved in 2017. With the production resumed, some 150 workers are back in Hoče after being temporarily transferred to the multinational's operation in Austria's Graz. The development was welcomed by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek as he visited the Slovenian subsidiary to learn about plans and the situation in general.
Govt offering EUR 2m in fresh subsidies to airlines
LJUBLJANA - The Economy Ministry is offering EUR 2 million in fresh subsidies to support airlines that will fly to Slovenia in 2022 in what is the second such call for applications. The funding is designed to encourage existing and new regular international connections with Slovenian airports after many airlines suspended their flights during the Covid-19 pandemic. Airlines have until 6 June to apply.
Boscarols donate EUR 25m to local community after selling company
AJDOVŠČINA - After selling ultralight aircraft Pipistrel to the US company Textron, CEO Ivo Boscarol decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Ajdovščina municipality where Pipistrel is based. The EUR 25 million donation to the municipality will be used to build a new community health centre and aviation museum, and to create new green spaces. Each employee will receive EUR 3 for every day they have worked for the company, Boscarol said.
Mercator welcomes Fortenova ownership consolidation
LJUBLJANA - Retailer Mercator welcomed the news that the Russian bank Sberbank would sell its 40% stake in Fortenova, Mercator's parent company. "We're convinced that this will strengthen the stability and development of Mercator," the company said. Mercator CEO Tomislav Čizmić said the ownership consolidation was expected and that Mercator wanted a strategic owner.
EUR 88.5m available for productivity, EUR 44m for digitalisation
LJUBLJANA - The SPIRIT Slovenija investment promotion agency is making EUR 88.5 million available in incentives for large companies to invest in boosting their productivity and competitive edge in its second call under the recovery and resilience plan. It plans to support up to 59 investment projects. EUR 44 million is meanwhile available for digitalisation under an Economy Ministry call for at least twenty consortiums.
Almost 3,000 new Covid cases as hospitalisations up
LJUBLJANA - Another 2,979 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Thursday, about a third more than the same day a week ago, yet slightly fewer than the day before. With the daily tally up for the 14th consecutive day week-on-week, the 14-day notification rate per 100,000 of the population is now at 1,466, an increase of 58 from the previous day. The 7-day average is up by 131 to to 2,492. The number of patients treated in hospitals for Covid-19 rose to 202 this morning, including 51 in intensive care. Two more patients with Covid-19 died.
Anti-government protesters stage 100th rally
LJUBLJANA - Protesters against the government of Janez Janša gathered in front of Parliament House in Ljubljana for their 100th weekly protest to repeat their concerns about the undermining of the rule of law and government policies they perceive as damaging. The gathering featured an address by Milan Kučan, the former president of the republic, who urged the protesters to head to the polls for the 24 April general election and highlighted the government crackdown on protests.
Police charge alleged sender of death threats to politicians
LJUBLJANA - The police identified the man who allegedly sent death threats to a number of senior politicians. Several criminal charges have been filed against the suspect, who is believed to have sent threat letters both last October and in January this year. In mid-October last year, nine letters were sent, including to the prime minister, three ministers, three MPs and one deputy group. The media reported in early February that a member of the National Party (SNS) from Celje was among the suspects.
Ljubljana opera house bans Ukraine flags at Faust premiere
LJUBLJANA - Belgian director Frank Van Laecke has revealed that the director of the Ljubljana opera house, Staš Ravter, forbade him to display little Ukrainian flags in his Faust production, which premiered on Thursday. Van Laecke said an artist had a duty to speak up and the theatre or opera should hear the pulse of present time. The management said that the political situation should not affect the original appearance of the production.
State-owned company planned to manage public transportation
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a bill that would create a state-owned limited liability company tasked with managing the tactical aspects of road and rail public passenger transportation as a public service. The company would plan public transportation and its financing, participate in infrastructure planning and strategies, and manage the integrated mass transit tickets that Slovenia has had for several years now.
