News roundup - Thursday, 23 February, until 3pm

Senad Jušić appointed acting police commissioner

LJUBLJANA - The government dismissed acting Police Commissioner Boštjan Lindav and appointed Senad Jušić to replace him. Jušić is a senior police adviser at the General Police Department and also served as deputy head of the Koper Police Department's criminal police sector. Lindav led the police in acting capacity since the new government took power in June 2022, as Minister Tatjana Bobnar's proposal for his full-fledged appointment fell through. When she resigned over alleged political meddling in police staffing decisions she said PM Robert Golob "made it clear to me that Lindav did not meet the expectations as he did not purge the police force".

US-Slovenia strategic dialogue focuses on intl. issues, Security Council bid

WASHINGTON, US - Foreign policy representatives of the United States and Slovenia conducted the third strategic dialogue session on Wednesday. Foreign Ministry State Secretary Samuel Žbogar said the main topics included Western Balkans, Ukraine, China, cooperation in NATO, cybersecurity, the fight against disinformation and climate change. Slovenia's UN Security Council bid was also discussed. "This is the first time the dialogue was held at a higher level. Our views are more or less aligned," Žbogar said. Regarding China, Žbogar acknowledged Slovenia has different relations with the country than the US since it wanted to have good relations with all countries.

Fajon notes need to respect UN Charter in war in Ukraine

NEW YORK, US - On the first day of the UN General Assembly session on the war in Ukraine in New York on Wednesday, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon noted the need to respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations that stipulates peaceful resolution of conflicts without the use of force, except for self-defence. The session is expected to vote on Thursday on a proposed resolution that notes the need to conclude a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Fajon expressed strong support for the resolution.

Slovenian MEP to chair EU Parliament delegation for relations with Maghreb

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec (S&D/SD) will chair the European Parliament delegation for relations with Maghreb countries starting in March. Nemec said improving relations with Morocco would be one of the delegation's priorities. Nemec is taking over after the previous chair Italian Andrea Cozzolino (S&D), suspected of involvement in the Qatargate scandal, stepped down in January. He will be the first Slovenian to chair such a large Parliament delegation.

NLB group posts record net profit of EUR 447m for 2022

LJUBLJANA - The group around the Ljubljana-based NLB bank posted a net profit of EUR 447 million last year, which is 89% more than in the year before. The bank noted in the report released today that the acquisition of N Banka, previously the Russian Sberbank, last March had significantly contributed to the record bottom line. The contribution from N Banka excluded, net profit at the group level was up by 11% to EUR 262.8 million, NLB said. Net interest income increased by 23% to EUR 504.9 million, with net non-interest income reaching EUR 293.6 million, an increase of 14%.

Pahor recovering well from prostate surgery

LJUBLJANA - After years of battling prostate problems, former President Borut Pahor is recovering well from a prostate surgery he underwent at the Celje General Hospital on Wednesday. He thanked the hospital staff and head of the Urology Department Sandi Poteka in a Facebook post. "On top of everything, nurse Metka and the others are super nice. I think we do not appreciate this enough. I feel good and in safe hands," Pahor wrote and posted a picture of himself with a thumbs-up.

Exhibitions bring stories of Ukrainian refugees, children

LJUBLJANA - Two exhibitions on the war in Ukraine open at the Museum of Contemporary History in Ljubljana today, bringing stories of Ukrainians who took refuge in Slovenia and Slovenians who helped them, and drawings by Ukrainian children combined with drawings from the Second World War. The first exhibition presents the personal effects of the refugees, the second drawings by children that are contrasted with drawings made by children during WWII.