22 May 2022, 18:31 PM

Kayaking: Osterman Wins World Cup Event in Račice

STA, 22 May 2022 - Slovenian kayaker Anja Osterman won Sunday's flatwater 200-metre sprint World Cup event in Račice, Czech Republic, after finishing second in the 500-metre event yesterday, the first race of the World Cup season. Špela Ponomarenko Janić finishing third today. Dominika Putto from Poland was second.

"In October, when I decided for individual events my biggest fan, my father, had doubts. He was sceptical and said to myself I will prove him wrong. On Saturday, he admitted that these events are something else after all. But it's important that I've proven to myself too that I can do it," said Osterman, who previously competed in doubles competition with Špela Ponomarenko Janić, with whom she won the European title and silver medal at the World Championship in the 200m event.

"Of course I didn't believe I'd start the season with the first and second places, so the joy is that much bigger," she added.

Commenting on today's event, she said it had been less stressful than yesterday. "At 500 metres you have 1.50 minutes of pain, but here it's easier as by the time the pain really starts you're almost in the finish line."

She said she was particularly glad she could share the podium with Ponomarenko Janić, with whom she parted ways after last year's disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where they capsized just before the finish line.

"It's like old times, when we stood on the podium together," she said.

Ponomarenko Janić said she had not expected a medal. "I'd need a bit more practice, so I didn't count on anything more than the finals," she said, adding that she got more and more confident with each event, so she managed this excellent result. "The boat ran well ... I'm very happy."

Slovenia's success at the World Cup was rounded off with kayker Jošt Zakrajšek's bronze at a 5-kilometre event. "I was behind at first, but I remained calm. Everything was opening up until the first turn, I was making progress without energy consumption, and the rest of the race was surprisingly easy," he said.

He also thanked to Osterman and Ponomarenko Janić, who he said had been his inspiration for a while.

22 May 2022, 06:29 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Sunday, 22 May 2022

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:

Fitch affirms Slovenia's A rating

LJUBLJANA - Rating agency Fitch has affirmed Slovenia's credit rating at A with a stable outlook. The move is based on a number of Slovenia's advantages, including EU and euro area membership, robust economic growth and strong fiscal support during the Covid pandemic, the Slovenian Finance Ministry said. Slovenia's weaknesses are meanwhile population ageing and a relatively high public debt, which, Fitch said, the country was managing prudently though.

Pahor visits Auschwitz-Birkenau museum

WARSAW, Poland - On the last day of his visit to Poland, President Borut Pahor visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum to get acquainted with the state of play regarding the renovation of Block 17, where a permanent exhibition on Slovenian internees will be set up, and to lay a wreath at the commemorative plaque. He was received by the museum's director Piotr Cywinski and Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation director general Wojciech Soczewica, the president's office said.

Minister visits Slovenian community in Barcola

BARCOLA, Italy - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch attended an event in Barcola, a coastal suburban neighbourhood of Trieste, on Friday to mark the 40th anniversary of the re-establishment of the local Slovenian cultural association. She congratulated the Slovenian community there for preserving and strengthening the Slovenian identity, read a press release by the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad.

Protest figurehead faces another suit over policing costs, report says

LJUBLJANA - Jaša Jenull, one of the figureheads of Friday's anti-government bicycle protests, faces the third lawsuit in which the Interior Ministry alleges his responsibility for the costs of policing worth EUR 34,000, the newspaper Dnevnik reported on Friday. He also continues to receive fines every week, ranging from EUR 500 to EUR 750, for allegedly organising the rallies in the past.

Carthago's net profit up 12%

ODRANCI - The Slovenian subsidiary of German motorhome maker Carthago saw revenue rise by 3% in its latest financial year to EUR 223 million, with net profit rising by 12% to EUR 9.3 million despite what the company described in its annual report as a challenging year. A total of EUR 10 million was spent on investments last year.

Covid situation continues to improve

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 387 new coronavirus cases on Friday, down by nearly a third in weekly comparison. The National Institute of Public Health estimates that 6,807 people are still actively infected in the country, down by 360 on the day before. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 of the population has dropped by 17 to 321, and the 7-day case average is down by 24 to 404.

21 May 2022, 13:00 PM

Comic Book Artist Izar Lunaček Given French Order of Arts and Letters

STA, 20 May 2022 - Comic book artist Izar Lunaček was conferred on Thursday the French Order of Arts and Letters. He received the honour for his contribution to the promotion of comic books, the popularisation of French culture in Slovenia and the strengthening of ties between France and Slovenia this field.

The French Institute in Slovenia said Lunaček, who received the knight grade of the order, has become one of the most important advocates of French-Slovenian relations in the field of comics over the last 15 years.

Hier soir à la Résidence de France, décoration du bédéiste #IzarLunaček au rang de Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres ? pour son travail colossal en faveur de la coopération franco-slovène ???? dans le domaine du 9ème art ✍?

Félicitations !@SLOinFRA @IFParis @CiteBd #Stripolis pic.twitter.com/sf06A0YJKY
— Institut français SI (@IFSlovenie) May 20, 2022

In addition to his prolific artistic activity, the 43-year-old has spent a decade at the helm of the Stripolis association, a major factor in the promotion of comics among the general public.

The Tinta Festival, formerly Stripolisfest, which he co-founded, is now an unmissable event for professionals and experts as well as enthusiasts.

Lunaček, who was also one of the forerunners of the concept of the Drawn Concert in Slovenia, is a great connoisseur of the Angouleme International Comics Festival in France where he has established precious ties with French authors and publishers there.

In 2020, Stripolis became a publishing house that has already published several Slovenian translations of French comic books.

Lunaček, who is moreover painter, comparativist and philosopher, received the honour from French Ambassador to Slovenia Florence Ferrari.

21 May 2022, 10:31 AM

Govt Adopts Bill to Help Displaced Ukrainians, Slovenian Businesses Affected by War

STA, 20 May 2022 - The government adopted on Friday a bill on emergency measures to regulate the situation of displaced Ukrainians and to help Slovenian business cope with the consequences of the war in Ukraine with favourable loans.

The bill was adopted to enhance the implementation of the government's March regulation that activated, based on EU law, Slovenia's temporary protection of displaced persons act to help Ukrainians leaving their homes after Russia's 24 February invasion of Ukraine, the government said after its correspondence session.

The bill aims to intensify the mechanisms introduced by the March regulation in a bid to implement temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens in Slovenia.

It envisages changing certain regulations governing temporary protection to effectively and comprehensively address the situation of persons enjoying temporary protection.

Measures are also planned to disburden state institutions overwhelmed by displaced Ukrainians and speed up temporary protection procedures so that persons with the status can enjoy the assigned rights promptly.

Government data shows that until 12 April, 4,733 Ukrainian citizens filed applications for temporary protection. Unofficial figures from early May were meanwhile by around 1,000 higher.

The bill is thus designed to ease the burden on all related public services - social care, healthcare, public security etc, and eliminate some of the shortcomings that have proved to be a problem in practice.

To help Slovenian companies that have been affected by the Ukrainian crisis, a temporary measure of providing liquidity funds for companies in the form of favourable loans will be introduced.

The loans will be given out through the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, but the government did not say how much money will be available.

The government said that the companies are also faced with rising energy prices and interrupted supply chains, which requires rapid action to prevent the hard-to-repair consequences for the Slovenian economy and the state.

The bill, drafted by the Defence Ministry, was sent to the National Assembly to be fast tracked through parliament.

21 May 2022, 06:43 AM

Last Week in Slovenia: 13 - 19 May 2022

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

If you’d like to keep up on the daily headlines then follow those here, or get all our stories in your feed on Facebook.

FRIDAY, 13 May
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's new parliament opened with the confirmation of the terms of all 90 MPs and the election of former judge Urška Klakočar Zupančič as speaker in what is the first time that a woman MP will lead the National Assembly. The new opposition - the SDS and NSi - meanwhile tabled more than two dozen bills, a move that will delay the passage of legislation crafted by the new coalition.
        LJUBLJANA - The government asked parliament to terminate several bilateral agreements with Russia as a means of increasing political pressure on the country and contribute to peace. The initiative was formally tabled on the opening day of the new parliament.
        LJUBLJANA - A majority of RTV Slovenija trade union members opted to stage a token strike on 23 May in protest at a situation they describe as "unbearable" due to policies pursued by the management and the Programme Council. The strike demands include editorial and institutional autonomy and resignation of senior management and editorial staff.
        LJUBLJANA - A new regulation entered into force increasing the amount of state aid for the payment of social security contributions of religious staff. The figure has gone up from 48% to 100% of the average pay provided that religious communities meet some conditions. The bulk of the money will go to the Catholic Church.
        LJUBLJANA - The Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) announced it had revoked a decision to initiate the sale of two tourism companies, Istrabenz Turizem and Thermana, citing the recent change of the national tourism strategy. The government adopted a new seven-year tourism strategy on 11 May to stipulate that equity stakes in tourism companies in the BAMC portfolio remain in state ownership.

SATURDAY, 14 May
LJUBLJANA - The presidency of the Social Democrats (SD) got acquainted with the content of the coalition agreement. The Freedom Movement and the Left having already endorsed the pact, the coalition agreement is now formally initialled.
VIENNA, Austria - Ambassador to Austria Aleksander Geržina criticised Austria's decision to extend checks on the border with Slovenia, telling the Austrian news agency APA that the measure had not been properly justified by the authorities.

SUNDAY, 15 May
LJUBLJANA - Senior officials spoke in favour of increased defence spending, in the face of heightened security risks at a ceremony marking Slovenian Armed Forces Day. "No matter how much Slovenia sincerely strives for the peaceful resolution of all disputes, it may not turn a blind eye to the current tense circumstances," said President Borut Pahor.

MONDAY, 16 May
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani hailed the good relationship between their countries and expressed the hope that Qatari investors would invest in Slovenia as the emir started a two-day visit to Slovenia, accompanied by a large delegation featuring the ministers of foreign affairs, finance and trade. Slovenia's SPIRIT agency and Qatar Holding LLC signed a memorandum of understanding on the occasion.
        LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's economy expanded at an annual nominal rate of 9.8% in the first quarter of this year driven by household spending and capital expenditure. The seasonally adjusted rate was 9.6%. At the quarterly level GDP was up by 0.8%, a significant slowdown compared to the 5.3% recorded in the previous quarter, the Statistics Office reported.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has downgraded its economic growth forecast for Slovenia by 0.1 percentage points to 3.7% for this year and by half a point to 3.1% for 2023. The rates are still substantial above those forecast for the eurozone. Inflation is projected to run at 6.1% in Slovenia and the rest of the eurozone this year.
        LJUBLJANA - Economist Marko Pahor assessed that the coalition agreement of the Freedom Movement, Social Democrats and the Left is much more leftist than centrist. He sees many of the priorities as expensive and thus unrealistic. Mitja Kovač expressed shock and disappointment, as the agreement "mostly deals with massive rearranging of funds and extreme increase in spending."
        LJUBLJANA - Doctors expressed strong opposition to the announcement in the draft coalition agreement that doctors in the public sector will be fully banned from working for private providers. Nurses, on the other hand, welcomed an announcement of better pay and of a new set of standards and norms for staffing and workload.
        LJUBLJANA - The MPs of the emerging coalition have filed a request to form a parliamentary inquiry that will look into alleged illegal financing of "party political propaganda in the media with funds of state-owned companies, state institutions or foreign institutions or entities."
        LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana city council endorsed the energy strategy for 2022-2030, envisaging a 40% cut in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2008 and zero net greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century. Three hydro power plants on the Ljubljanica river are planned along with a waste-to-energy plant and number of solar power plants.

TUESDAY, 17 May
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Matej Tonin acknowledged that talks with Germany for a swap under which it would send Yugoslav-era tanks to Ukraine in exchange for more modern German armoured vehicles have stalled, but he said negotiations were continuing. He said the equipment Slovenia intend to send to Ukraine was ready for transport and Germany had been notified what kind of equipment Slovenia expects in return.
        LJUBLJANA - The names of the remaining nominees for ministers were revealed. The Left confirmed that the party's vice-president Asta Vrečko was slated for the culture portfolio and Simon Maljevac, the party's secretary general, for labour, the family and social affairs. Irena Šinko, a senior civil servant, is the Freedom Movement's candidate for agriculture ministry.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - Five Slovenian MEPs sent a public letter to Austria and the European Commission criticising the recent decision of Austria to again extend police controls on the border with Slovenia, labelling the move as unjustified and disproportionate. They argue that this is confirmed by the valid EU law and the recent decision of the EU Court of Justice.
        LJUBLJANA - After the announcement in the draft coalition agreement that doctors in the public sector will be banned from working for private providers was met with pushback from doctors' organisations, Danijel Bešič Loredan, the candidate for health minister, said that such work would not be prohibited for now and was a more distant part of the coalition agreement that is planned to be in place by 2024.
        LJUBLJANA - Andrej Grah Whatmough, director general of the Slovenian public broadcaster, has put forward for director of the broadcaster's TV arm Natalija Gorščak, whom he himself dismissed from the job in August last year. RTV Slovenija said Gorščak was the only candidate to apply for the job in line with the terms of the call by the 13 May deadline.
        LJUBLJANA/ŽIRI - The Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) announced it had sold its outright stake in footwear maker Alpina to K&H, a Czech company that is part of the Franco de Poisd'eau & CIE group, for an as yet undisclosed amount reported to be EUR 20 million. The buyer has been picked not just because it submitted the best financial offer but also because of a thorough development strategy, BAMC said.
        LJUBLJANA - Prevent & Deloza, the Celje-based protective clothing manufacturer, has taken over Askö, the German maker of fire-resistant gloves for what the newspaper Delo reports is roughly EUR 2 million. The company plans subsequent takeovers to form a group that will offer a comprehensive range of equipment for firefighters, police and the military.
        MARIBOR - A memorandum of understanding between the SPIRIT agency and the Office of the Governor of Nevada was signed to help Slovenian companies enter the US market, a priority market for Slovenian companies as defined in a government strategy. The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the PODIM conference.
        BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission approved the re-introduction of a Slovenian scheme, including an EUR 150 million budget increase, to support companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the development of coronavirus-relevant products. The original scheme was approved in August 2020 and expired on 31 December last year.
        LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor decorated four individuals for humanitarian work. Robert Waltl, a theatre director and leader of the Jewish Cultural Centre, received the Order of Merit, as did Ivica Žnidaršič, who heads the Association of Slovenian Deportees 1941-1945. The husband and wife team of Valerija and Ivo Čarman, founders of the Golden Bow Institute, a charity for children with cancer, received a Medal of Merit.

WEDNESDAY, 18 May
        LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) tabled a motion to call a referendum on amendments to the government act proposed by the incoming ruling coalition to accommodate for the changes they plan in the government makeup. The move was to delay the formation of a new government, but the prospective prime minister, Robert Golob, said he would stick to the plan to form a government by 3 June, albeit with the existing number of ministries, not the structure of departments he set out to have.
        LJUBLJANA - Robert Golob, the leader of the Freedom Movement and the likeliest new prime minister, said the incoming coalition sought to ensure employee involvement as he responded to criticism that the coalition agreement would push businesses into a corner. "A system under which the employer is the master ... and under which the worker has no say is a system of serfs. We do not want to be a country of serfs."
        LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry expressed Slovenia's full support for the decision of Sweden and Finland to join NATO, labelling the two countries as the closest partners of the alliance. NATO's door must remain open to European countries that want to join and meet the criteria for membership, it said.
        LJUBLJANA - The outgoing government proposed the recall of Slovenia's ambassadors to Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Australia, Japan and Poland in what continues to be a series of replacements at some of the country's top diplomatic posts. The proposal will be now considered by President Borut Pahor.
        LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) filed a motion to call a consultative referendum on the amendments to the RTV Slovenija act that the party submitted itself on Friday. The motion will delay the final decision on the amendments as parliament cannot vote on the referendum motion in less than 30 days.
        LJUBLJANA - National Assembly Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič told the STA she knew how to "leave her political convictions at the door" and pledged to be the first among equals to listen to all MPs. She believes that MPs should realise they are in parliament to serve people, not to "put on reality shows".
        MARIBOR - DEM, the company managing power stations on the river Drava, has been granted a building permit for a geothermal power plant at a wellbore in Čentiba in Prekmurje, the only Slovenian region reserves of gas and oil. The plant will serve as a demonstration project encouraging the production of geothermal energy.

THURSDAY, 19 May
        LJUBLJANA - The partners in the emerging ruling coalition will work hard to reach consensus both within the government and parliament, but when it proves elusive the Freedom Movement as the largest partner will tip the scales and Robert Golob as the PM will have the final say, reveals a protocol to be signed along with the coalition agreement.
        LJUBLJANA - The government revoked a deal to sell Yugoslav-made mechanised infantry combat vehicles in order to donate them to Ukraine, the newspaper Dnevnik reported. S Lux, the company commissioned to sell the vehicles, brought legal action with the Administrative Court asking for a temporary injunction.
        LJUBLJANA - Russia demanded that Slovenia reduce the number of staff at its embassy in Moscow by four within ten days, a move that comes a month and a half after Slovenia demanded an 80% cut in the number of staff at the Russian Embassy in Ljubljana due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Slovenia said it was negatively surprised by the move.
        WARSAW, Poland - President Borut Pahor began his official three-day visit to Poland at the University of Warsaw, discussing Europe's future with the students, and calling for a new convention on the future of Europe that would gradually lead to a United States of Europe.
        LJUBLJANA - The Democrats (SDS) continued to file legislative proposals after being relegated to the opposition, with the latest proposals dealing with two healthcare laws, the healthcare and health insurance act and the health services act.
        LJUBLJANA - Several civil society groups dealing with migrants, including the NGO Infokolpa Civil Initiative, denounced the candidacy of Tatjana Bobnar for interior minister due to pushbacks that police conducted while she was the police commissioner in 2018-2020. Bobnar responded by saying she understood the protest statement.
        NOVO MESTO - The Krka group posted EUR 432.5 million in sales revenue in the first quarter of the year, up 9% year-on-year. Net profit rose by 5% to EUR 90.7 million, the highest ever for a first quarter, the drug maker said.
        LJUBLJANA - Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenia's largest insurance company, posted a group net profit of EUR 33.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 25%.
        LJUBLJANA - One of the two persons treated in hospital for severe injuries sustained in last week's explosion at chemical company Melamin died, raising the death toll of what the worst industrial accident in Slovenia's history to six.

21 May 2022, 04:34 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Saturday, 21 May 2022

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:

Govt adopts bill to help displaced Ukrainians, Slovenian businesses

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a bill on emergency measures to regulate the situation of displaced Ukrainians and to help Slovenian business cope with the consequences of the war in Ukraine with favourable loans. The bill was adopted to enhance the implementation of the government's March regulation that activated, based on EU law, Slovenia's temporary protection of displaced persons act to help Ukrainians leaving their homes after Russia's invasion. It should intensify the existing mechanisms of temporary protection and disburden state institutions overwhelmed by displaced Ukrainians.

Logar expresses solidarity with Ukraine at CoE event

TURIN, Italy - Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended a session of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. In a debate on the CoE's response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, he expressed solidarity with Ukraine and stressed that Slovenia condemned the Russian aggression in the strongest terms. Given the violation of common values and norms of international law, it was impossible for Russia to stay a CoE member, he said. On the sidelines of the meeting, Logar met UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili.

Slovenia left without gas from Croatia's Krk island for now

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian gas distributor Geoplin has been left empty handed in an open call to apply for an increased capacity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Croatian island Krk. Despite assurances to the contrary, Croatian company PPD won the deal. However, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec downplayed the gravity of the development, saying one Slovenian distributor was now in talks with PPD. He also said there were possibilities for Quatari gas deliveries to Slovenia via the offshore terminal in Rovigo, close to Venice, Italy.

New govt go-ahead for Mokrice hydro plant

LJUBLJANA - The government decided the public interest of producing renewable energy prevails over the public interest of nature conservation in the planned Mokrice hydro power station on the river Sava, as it issued a new decision after its first motion from December 2020 was defeated in court in late 2021 over environmental concerns expressed by an NGO. The government said its decision is in line with the court's guidance.

Additional EUR 277 million in React-EU funds approved

LJUBLJANA - The European Commission approved on Thursday an additional EUR 277 million in React-EU funds for Slovenia, money that will be used for a number of investments in aged care, healthcare, tourism and education. The confirmation came in the form of an endorsement of the operational programme for the implementation of European cohesion policy in 2014-2020, the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy said.

Elderly care association unveils assisted suicide proposal

CELJE - Srebrna Nit, an association campaigning for dignified old age, presented a bill to introduce voluntary assisted dying. Its representative Andrej Pleterski said the law would ensure that no one would have to fear suffering before death any longer. The dying person would have the option of ending their life in a way and at a time of their choosing under the proposal, he said at the Green Vita trade show. They plan to file it to parliament with 5,000 voter signatures.

Petrol doubles revenue, ups net profit 17% to EUR 32.4m in Q1

LJUBLJANA - Energy group Petrol reported that its sales revenue in the first quarter of the year more than doubled year-on-year to EUR 1.94 billion, while net profit was up by 17% to EUR 32.4 million. The rise is largely attributed to the incorporation of the Croatian fuel retailer Crodux into the group. The group's adjusted gross profit amounted to EUR 162.2 million, up 18% year-on-year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 65.6 million, up 21%, with fuels and fuel products representing 37% in the EBITDA structure.

Banks report EUR 96.8m in pre-tax profit in Q1

LJUBLJANA - Banks in Slovenia generated EUR 96.8 million in pre-tax profit in the first three months of the year, which is 7.4% less than in the first quarter of 2021. Revenue was higher, but profit was down due to higher net impairments and provisions, the central bank said. By the end of March, net impairments and provisions totalled EUR 10.6 million, while they stood at EUR 8.9 million in the same period last year. The banking system's total capital adequacy ratio on a consolidated basis stood at 18.4%.

BTC revenue, profit up by 10% last year

LJUBLJANA - The BTC group, the operator of Ljubljana's shopping and logistics hub BTC City, generated EUR 72.4 million in net sales revenue last year, up 8.9% from the year before. Net profit was up by 10.7% to EUR 6.5 million. Despite the epidemic, business results exceeded expectations, the company said, noting that additional growth was planned for this year, with net sales revenue expected to reach EUR 79.4 million. Last year, EUR 5.1 million was allocated for investment.

AmCham Slovenia urges new govt to take well-thought-out measures

LJUBLJANA - AmCham Slovenia welcomed efforts laid out in the emerging coalition agreement that aspire to sustainability, green transition and a knowledge-based society. Since they find several segments in the agreement unclear, they urge well-thought-out measures and laws in their appeal to the new government, and call for cooperation. The areas AmCham Slovenia considers to be very important for a development-oriented economy and finds missing or unclear in the draft coalition agreement are tax policy, healthcare reform, pension reform, de-bureaucratisation and maintaining competitiveness, and education programmes, among others.

Consumer confidence deteriorates in May

LJUBLJANA - The consumer confidence indicator for Slovenia was down by four percentage points in May on a monthly basis and nine points lower than the long-term average, the Statistics Office said. A deterioration of 13 points was also recorded on an annual basis. All four components of the indicator were down on a monthly basis, with the sub-indicators measuring expectations regarding the financial situation in households and expectations regarding major purchases down by five percentage points each.

No Covid deaths on Thursday

LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases dropped to 411 on Thursday, with the number of patients treated for Covid-19 as their main condition down to 41, including five in intensive care. No patient died yesterday, data provided by the Health Ministry show. The National Institute for Public Health estimates 7,167 cases are still active. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 of the population dropped by 28 to 338 and the 7-day case average is down by 25 to 428.

Slovenian journalist released from prison in Iraq

LJUBLJANA - Matej Kavčič, a reporter for the Slovenian independent Radio Student station who was arrested and imprisoned in Iraq a month ago, has been released from prison, Radio Student said. His German colleague Marlene Foerster, who was arrested together with him, has also been released. Kavčič went to Iraq with Foerster as a freelancer in January to report on the minority group Yezidis. The pair had the international press cards, but apparently, the Iraqi authorities did not consider them valid.

Nova Gorica to get new outdoor venue

NOVA GORICA - The foundation stone for a new outdoor, 500-seat amphitheatre was laid in Nova Gorica, aiming to be ready for the city's stint as the European Culture Capital in 2025. The first stage of the project, backed by EUR 2.5 million in state funds, is expected to be finished by next year.

Slovenian beekeeper Boštjan Noč honoured with Golden Bee

LJUBLJANA - Beekeeper Boštjan Noč, head of the Slovenian Beekeeping Association, was honoured with the Golden Bee, an international prize for efforts to protect bees that Slovenia gave out for the second time on this year's World Bee Day. Noč, whom the prize board selected unanimously from three shortlisted nominees, dedicated the award to all Slovenian beekeepers. The award ceremony was one of the many events in Slovenia celebrating the 5th World Bee Day.

Cartoonist Lunaček gets French Order of Arts and Letters

LJUBLJANA - Comic book artist Izar Lunaček was conferred on Thursday the French Order of Arts and Letters. He received the honour for his contribution to the promotion of comic books, the popularisation of French culture in Slovenia and the strengthening of ties between France and Slovenia this field. Lunaček, who is also a painter, comparativist and philosopher, received the honour from French Ambassador to Slovenia Florence Ferrari.

More than 15,000 students dance quadrille across Slovenia, Europe

LJUBLJANA - More than 15,000 final year secondary school students danced the quadrille in 17 Slovenian and 18 European cities at noon as part of the European Quadrille Dance Festival. In Ljubljana alone, 2,000-3,000 dancers gathered, according to Radio Slovenia International. This is the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that the event could be attended in such large numbers. "This is definitely a big day for final year secondary school students," project coordinator Rudi Kocbek told the STA.

20 May 2022, 11:27 AM

Fifth World Bee Day Focuses on Youth & Beekeeping

STA, 20 May 2022 - Young and beekeeping will be in the focus as World Bee Day is celebrated in Slovenia for the fifth year running on Friday after the UN declared it in 2017 on Slovenia's initiative to raise awareness about honeybees and other pollinators for agriculture, food safety and biodiversity.

The topic coincides with the 2022 European Year of Youth, with the Agriculture Ministry noting the role of transfer of know-how for the future of beekeeping.

The Beekeeping Association says it is important to raise awareness about bees being endangered and about what communities and individuals should to do preserve them.

Apimondia vice president Peter Kozmus thus urges planting native honey plants, mowing flowering plants after flowering, buying honey and other bee products from the nearest beekeepers and reducing the use of pesticides that are harmful to bees.

"When we help bees, we help other organisms as well as people," says Kozmus, adding that bees and people need practically the same conditions to thrive: clean air and a healthy environment without pollution.

A number of events will be held to mark World Bee Day, with one of them being an awards ceremony to give out Slovenia's top international award for outstanding achievement in beekeeping; the Golden Bee Prize will be conferred the second time.

Its first recipient - scientist Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi from Argentina, will meanwhile attend the main World Bee Day event, to be held on Saturday in Dolenjske Toplice, south-east, as part of the 19th Beekeeping Festival.

Slovenia is best known for its Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica), but is home to more than 500 species of wild bees.

Statistics show that there were over 11,290 beekeepers in Slovenia in October 2020, who produced some 1,300 tonnes of honey.

World Bee Day is celebrated on 20 May to remember the day in 1734 when Anton Janša, the Slovenian credited with being the pioneer of modern beekeeping, was born.

The Beekeeping Association's head Boštjan Noč is convinced the message of World Bee Day is being successfully spread: "Today, the world talks respectfully of bees, beekeepers and all that goes with them."

This year's main international event marking the day will be the Food and Agriculture Organization's conference Bee Engaged: Celebrating the Diversity of Bees and Beekeeping Systems.

20 May 2022, 11:18 AM

Q1 Net Profit Up 17% at Petrol

STA, 20 May 2022 - The energy group Petrol reported on Friday that its sales revenue in the first quarter of the year more than doubled year-on-year to EUR 1.94 billion, while net profit was up by 17% to EUR 32.4 million. The rise is largely attributed to the incorporation of the Croatian fuel retailer Crodux into the group.

In the first quarter of the year, the group's adjusted gross profit amounted to EUR 162.2 million, an increase of 18% year-on-year, Petrol said in a press release as it issued the quarterly report.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 65.6 million, or 21% more year-on-year, mostly due to the incorporation of Crodux and good results in electricity trading.

In the EBITDA structure, 37% was represented by fuels and fuel products, 13% by merchandise and services, 47% by energy and solutions and 3% by other revenue.

In the first three months of the year, the group sold 906,400 tonnes of fuels and fuel products, a year-on-year increase of 41%.

As a result of the incorporation of Crodux, the share of sales in Slovenia in the structure of fuels and fuel product sales decreased, whereas the share of sales in the South-east Europe markets increased.

Petrol said that in line with the law instructing the government to reimburse losses as a result of fuel price caps, the company had submitted a claim to the government amounting to EUR 51.3 million for the period from 15 March and 30 April.

The Economy Ministry responded to this, noting that the law gave the government this option not obligation. In line with it, the government "can determine an appropriate reimbursement", it said.

The government will decide on this reimbursement based on the standards and criteria yet to be adopted, the ministry explained.

Fuel retailers have been sending its estimates of the damage at their own initiative but "these estimates do not count as official claims, as legal requirements for them have not been met yet", the ministry said.

The Petrol group generated EUR 101.5 million in sales of merchandise and services, which is a drop of 21% year-on-year, with the main reason being the national motorway company DARS switching to an electronic tolling system.

The group also sold 5.7 TWh of natural gas, 2.9 TWh of electricity and 83.7 thousand MWh of heating energy in the first quarter of the year. Investments at the group level amounted to EUR 8.2 million in the first three months of the year.

At the end of March, the group had 6,162 employees, 593 service stations and 323 electric vehicle charging stations, including 318 service stations in Slovenia, 202 in Croatia, 42 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 16 in Serbia and 15 in Montenegro.

"The group has performed successfully in the challenging business situation caused by the energy crisis and the situation in Ukraine," the report says, adding that the management had properly responded to recent developments.

It notes that the group does not have subsidiaries or representation offices in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, and that the share of revenue generated in these markets is negligible, as is the purchase of energy, except for natural gas.

Russia as a source of supply of diesel and extra light heating oil represented 7% of the purchase portfolio in this segment in 2021 and this year, while Petrol does not import petrol from Russia.

The main risk this year is the negative effects of the energy crisis on inflation and, consequently, on growth of the costs of living and management of operating costs.

Last year, Petrol generated EUR 4.96 billion in sales revenue and posted a net profit of EUR 124.5 million at the group level. It plans to generate EUR 5.9 billion in sales revenue and EUR 158.3 million in net profit this year.

20 May 2022, 11:15 AM

Russia Tells Slovenia to Cut Diplomatic Staff in Moscow

STA, 19 May 2022 - Russia demanded on Thursday that Slovenia reduce the number of staff at its embassy in Moscow by four within ten days, a move that comes a month and a half after Slovenia demanded an 80% cut in the number of staff at the Russian Embassy in Ljubljana due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Slovenia said it was negatively surprised by the move.

Slovenia's charge d'affairs was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday and presented with a note, demanding that Slovenia reduce the Moscow embassy staff by four people, Russian press agency Tass reported today.

"In response to unfriendly steps, taken by Ljubljana earlier, on reduction of staff of the Russian diplomatic mission ... the Slovenian diplomat was presented with a note demanding to reduce the diplomatic staff of the Slovenian embassy in Moscow by four people within 10 days," Tass quoted the ministry as saying.

"Based on the principle of reciprocity, a decision was also made to correct the conditions of operation of the Slovenian diplomatic mission, considering the situation that our embassy in Ljubljana has found itself in," the ministry reportedly added.

The Slovenian Foreign Ministry responded to the development in a written response labelling it as "a negative surprise".

It announced it would study the Russian decision from all aspects and consult with the EU countries that are in a similar situation before adequately reacting in due course.

In early April, the Slovenian ministry reduced the number of staff at the Russian Embassy in Ljubljana from 41 to 8. Unlike some other EU countries, it did not expel the diplomats.

Instead, it invoked article 11 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, which states that the receiving state may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal.

20 May 2022, 05:04 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 20 May 2022

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:

New coalition committed to unity and consensus, PM to have final say

LJUBLJANA - The partners in the emerging ruling coalition will work hard to reach consensus both within the government and parliament, but when it proves elusive the Freedom Movement as the largest partner will tip the scales and Robert Golob as the PM will have the final say, under a protocol to be signed along with the coalition agreement. The protocol also sets out that the three parties - the Freedom Movement, Social Democrats and the Left, will be required to refrain from making statements in public "in contradiction to those of the prime minister and other government members".

Slovenia told by Russia to reduce diplomatic staff in Moscow

LJUBLJANA - Russia demanded that Slovenia reduce the number of staff at its embassy in Moscow by four within ten days, a move that comes a month and a half after Slovenia demanded an 80% cut in the number of staff at the Russian Embassy in Ljubljana due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Slovenia said it was negatively surprised by the move.

Report: Govt revokes arms deal in secret to make donation to Ukraine

LJUBLJANA - The government has taken a secret decision to revoke a deal to sell Yugoslav-made mechanised infantry combat vehicles in order to donate them to Ukraine, the newspaper Dnevnik reported on Wednesday. Slovenia has been trying to sell the decommissioned BVP M-80A vehicles since 2015. S Lux, the company commissioned to sell the vehicles, has brought legal action with the Administrative Court asking for a temporary injunction. The supreme state prosecution and the Court of Audit are looking into the matter.

Pahor discusses United States of Europe as he starts Poland visit

WARSAW, Poland - President Borut Pahor began his official three-day visit to Poland at the University of Warsaw, discussing Europe's future with the students, and calling for a new convention on the future of Europe that would gradually lead to a United States of Europe. Considering the European idea as the most brilliant political concept ever conceived, Pahor said we must be brave and proud to preserve and develop it, his office said.

SDS deputy group proposes changes to two healthcare acts

LJUBLJANA - The deputy group of the Democrats (SDS) continues to file legislative proposals after being relegated to the opposition, with the latest proposals dealing with two healthcare laws, the healthcare and health insurance act and the health services act. They aim to reduce the administrative burden on general practitioners and to ensure the continuity of treatment of patients at concessionaires. Under the proposals, the one-off possibility of an employee's absence from work due to illness without the GP issuing a fit note would be maintained.

Analyst says SDS wants to stay in power and control RTVS

LJUBLJANA - Public opinion analyst Andraž Zorko sees in the Democrats' (SDS) proposing a consultative referendum on changes to the government structure and the act on the RTV Slovenija "a pragmatic goal of staying in power, and having power over the public broadcaster for as long as possible." The director of the pollster Valicon assessed that, when it comes to the changes to the government act, the SDS will be somewhat successful.

Pushback against candidate for home minister over migrant treatment

LJUBLJANA - Several civil society groups dealing with migrants, including the NGO Infokolpa Civil Initiative, have denounced the candidacy of Tatjana Bobnar for interior minister due to pushbacks that police conducted while she was the police commissioner in 2018-2020. Saša Hajzler, a member of the NGO, said that if Bobnar was appointed minister, she should apologise and lay out a clear strategy of how to rectify the injustices. Bobnar responded by saying she understood the protest statement as a voice of democratic society and efforts to change things for the better, which also reflects her striving.

Freedom Movement to get almost half a million euro in budget funds this year

LJUBLJANA - Fifteen parties that have won at least one percent of the vote in the 24 April general election are eligible for a total of EUR 1,733,717 in budget funding this year, with the election winner Freedom Movement to get EUR 486,152, shows data released by the National Assembly on Wednesday. Apart from the five parties that made it to parliament, budget funds will also be paid to ten non-parliamentary parties.

Krka group posts record Q1 net profit

NOVO MESTO - The Krka group posted EUR 432.5 million in sales revenue in the first quarter of the year, up 9% year-on-year. Net profit rose by 5% to EUR 90.7 million, the highest ever for a first quarter, the drug maker said. Sales were increased in all six sales regions and in most of the company's key markets, as well as in all product and service groups," said Jože Colarič, Krka's CEO. Accounting for a third of total sales or EUR 146.7 million, the group's largest sales region was East Europe, where turnover increased by 11%. The AGM will be held on 7 July, and a higher dividend payout has been proposed.

Insurer Triglav's group net profit up by 25% in first quarter

LJUBLJANA - Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenia's largest insurance company, posted a group net profit of EUR 33.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 25%. Revenue grew by 12% to EUR 443 million despite what the company described as a challenging situation. Consolidated profit before tax, amounting to EUR 38.1 million, was 20% higher than in the same period last year, with its growth stemming from underwriting activities and own asset management.

Intereuropa increases net profit by 12% to EUR 1.3m in Q1

LJUBLJANA - The logistics group Intereuropa generated EUR 47.1 million in sales revenue in the first quarter of the year, which is 19% more than in the same period last year and 13% above plans. Net profit was up 12% to EUR 1.3 million, which is 29% above plans, show unaudited results published by Intereuropa.

Insurance group Sava Re reports 29% lower profit

LJUBLJANA - Sava Re, Slovenia's second largest insurance group, posted a 29% drop in net profit in the first quarter, to EUR 16.8 million, reflecting a return to normal post-Covid claims frequency in the automotive segment. Operating revenue remained level at EUR 177.8 million. In the first quarter, the group wrote EUR 231.7 million in gross premiums, up 7.7% year on year, Sava Re said. The combined ratio, a key insurance industry profitability benchmark, deteriorated to 90.8% from 82.9% in the same period last year.

Alfi fund, NLB bank take majority stake in Sportina

LJUBLJANA - Sportina, a large clothing retailer, has been sold to the distressed assets arm of the Alfi fund and NLB bank in a transaction reportedly valued at EUR 15 million. While Sportina did not reveal the details of the deal, business daily Finance recently reported the deal was worth EUR 15 million, which includes a partial debt-to-equity swap and additional loans to the company. Alfi took a 75% stake and NLB 15%, with the rest in the hands of existing creditors.

ZZZS notes problems in implementation of long-term care act

LJUBLJANA - The public health insurance fund has warned about difficulties in the implementation of the long-term care act, which it sees as "internally inconsistent" and thus largely unimplementable at the beginning of 2023, as envisaged. Not all basic conditions for its implementation have been secured by the state, either. The statement came as the management board of the Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS) was acquainted today with the latest report on the implementation of the act, which entered into force more than four months ago.

War in Ukraine affects Slovenia's self-sufficiency

BRASLOVČE - A round-table discussion on self-sufficiency has heard that the war in Ukraine has affected Slovenia's food self-sufficiency. The war has led to a significant rise in the prices of some agricultural products, while farm-gate prices are lagging behind the rise in the prices of raw materials. Slovenia is currently self-sufficient in milk, beef, poultry and eggs, Agriculture Ministry State Secretary Aleš Irgolič said at the panel discussion at a congress of entrepreneurs of the Savinja region.

Death toll of explosion at chemical factory Melamin rises to six

LJUBLJANA - One of the two persons being treated in hospital for severe injuries sustained in last week's explosion at chemical company Melamin has died, the Ljubljana Police Deportment said. The death toll of what is the worst industrial accident in Slovenia's history has thus increased to six. The explosion happened in Kočevje, south, last Thursday.

Covid situation better still, Slovenia no longer wholly dark red on ECDC map

LJUBLJANA/BRUSSELS, Belgium - A total of 407 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Wednesday, two-thirds of the figure reported a week ago, and one patient with Covid-19 died, data released by the Health Ministry shows. Slovenia is also no longer wholly dark red on the Covid-19 colour-coded map of Europe of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as the eastern half of the country was downgraded to red. Slovenia had been fully dark red since 23 September 2021.

Special setting for adaptation of unique Margaret Atwood piece

LJUBLJANA - Penelopiad, a theatre adaptation of Margaret Atwood's eponymous 2005 novella, will be put on stage in the Devil's Courtyard of the Križanke open-air theatre on 29 May, a unique setting that the authors say befits the unique literary piece. Directed by Livija Pandur, the play is a co-production between the SNG Drama and the Festival Ljubljana. There will be five performances between 29 May and 23 June. The role of Penelope is played by Polona Juh, one of the most renowned actors in Slovenia.

Environment-themed exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art

LJUBLJANA - The Museum of Contemporary Art in Metelkova, Ljubljana, launched a group exhibition tonight in which artists are looking for a way out of an apparently hopeless state of environmental and social cataclysm. The display Emergency Exit examines how both postwar neo-avant-garde artistic practices and current environmental initiatives seek ways to survive in a system affected by the collapsed structure of the ecosystem.

News

Editorial

Gourmet

Photo of the Month

Photo galleries and videos

Real Estate in Slovenia