News roundup - Wednesday, 13 September

Slovenia issues new dollar bond

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia issued a new ten-year bond, the first one denominated in US dollars since 2014. Worth a billion dollars, it comes with a coupon rate of 5%. Investor demand exceeded 3.8 billion dollars, which is "a strong testimony of the confidence institutional investors have in the Republic of Slovenia," the Finance Ministry said. The treasury implemented a currency swap to hedge against exchange rate risks. The actual cost of financing after currency exchange is thus at 3.802%. The bond issue "is of great strategic importance from the point of view of Slovenia's position on the capital markets," the ministry said.

IMAD downgrades GDP forecast for this year to 1.6%

LJUBLJANA - The government's macroeconomic forecaster IMAD downgraded its GDP forecast for this year from 1.8% to 1.6% and upgraded the forecast for 2024 from 2.5% to 2.8%. In 2025, Slovenia's economy is expected to expand by 2.5%, IMAD says in its autumn forecast. The downgrade of the GDP forecast for this year in nominal terms was brought about mainly by the downgraded estimate of Slovenia's GDP growth in 2022, IMAD said. While the Statistics Office initially estimated last year's GDP growth at 5.4%, this was downgraded to 2.5% at the end of last month.

Flood damage in 123 municipalities estimated at over billion euro

LJUBLJANA - The government took note of the preliminary flood damage assessment for 123 municipalities affected by the early August catastrophic floods. The damage is estimated at over EUR 1 billion. Based on the changes to the Natural Disaster Relief Act passed after the 4 August devastating floods, municipalities will receive an advance payment for flood relief effort totalling 40% of the estimated damage. According to the government, procedures are still under way to check the damage assessments.

Fajon presents preparations for Security Council membership to MPs

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will set up a five-member team dealing with Slovenia's UN Security Council membership at her office, while more diplomats, including special envoy Samuel Žbogar, will soon be leaving for New York to join the country's permanent mission there, as Slovenia will become observer already in October. The minister also told the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee that in early October, guidelines for Slovenia's activities on the UN Security Council in 2024 and 2025 would be presented to the government and then also in parliament.

Foreign Ministry echoes von der Leyen's focus on EU's competitiveness, Slovenian MEPs welcome main points

LJUBLJANA/BRUSSELS, Belgium - Responding to the state of the union address by European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Ministry officials stressed the importance of preserving the EU's competitiveness. Welcoming assurances about EU enlargement, they also backed the initiative to include acceding countries in the rule of law review mechanism. Slovenian MEPs welcomed the main highlights von der Leyen made in her address, while they also criticised her failure to offer answers to some key challenges. Slovenia's Commissioner Janez Lenarčič meanwhile said she offered a vision while not omitting any key topic.

EU Parliament approves one extra MEP seat for Slovenia

STRASBOURG, France - Slovenia will have nine MEPs in the 2024-2029 legislative term, as the European Parliament endorsed a proposal to allocate 15 additional seats, including an extra one to Slovenia. All of the existing eight Slovenian MEPs are currently willing to run for re-election in next year's EU election or at least considering this. The increase in the number of seats from 705 to 720 must still be okayed by the Council of the EU.

Minister says flood-hit businesses to get aid shortly as he opens trade fair

CELJE - Economy, Tourism and Sport Minister Matjaž Han said that the businesses hit by the devastating floods in August would receive "in the coming days" an advance payment of 10% of the damage they are estimated to have suffered, as he opened the 55th International Trade Fair (MOS). "It's encouraging that some companies are already back to business, which is also important for their foreign partners," he said, noting that this was a signal to foreign partners that Slovenia was a reliable economic partner. This year, MOS focuses on green transition, digitalisation and staff shortages. It runs until Sunday and features 650 exhibitors from 25 countries.

Electricity price regulation could be extended into 2024 for vulnerable groups, minister says

LJUBLJANA - Electricity price regulation expires at the end of the year, but could be kept for vulnerable groups yet not for businesses, Energy Minister Bojan Kumer said in an interview with the STA. This is one of the options on the table, but no decision has been made yet. On the other hand, gas price regulation will not be extended. The minister believes capping the prices for medium-sized and large companies is no longer necessary, because market prices largely enabled them to get lower prices than the capped ones. An exception is small businesses, where the capped electricity prices are extremely low, Kumer explained.

Experts want sustainable post-flood reconstruction

ŠKOFJA LOKA - Experts in water management, spatial planning and landscape architecture have joined forces with NGOs, environmentalists and flood victims in issuing a public appeal for a sustainable, systemic and interdisciplinary reconstruction after the devastating August flooding. One particular problem that was noted is the erection of walls along waterways, which may prevent flooding at those specific locations but make things worse downstream. Possible flood protection measures include widening waterways, creating different zones with canals, wetlands and spill zones, the creation of meanders, and afforestation.

Two more temporary bridges open in flood-affected areas

GORNJI GRAD/MEŽICA - As part of the post-flood reconstruction effort, temporary bridges are being set up in cooperation with foreign teams, with one such bridge opened for traffic today in Gornji Grad and another one in Mežica, both in northern Slovenia. The bridge across the Dreta River in Gornji Grad is important for the entire Upper Savinja Valley as it is part of the shortest route to Ljubljana, Gornji Grad Mayor Anton Špeh told the STA. The third temporary bridge in Mežica, built by Czech soldiers, officially opened today, as announced by Mežica Mayor Mark Maze, who noted that at least one more temporary bridge would be needed in the town on the Meža River.

Ministry unveils guidelines to improve quality and access in healthcare

LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry presented 55 health policy guidelines for 2024 and 2025 in a bid to improve quality, accessibility and efficiency in healthcare, motivate staff and raise awareness among patients. The guidelines will serve as the basis for a 2024 general agreement between healthcare stakeholders. Last week, the guidelines were approved by the strategic health council, which is an advisory body of Prime Minister and interim Health Minister Robert Golob.

Govt raises age limit for army reserve

LJUBLJANA - The government raised the age limit for military contract reservists from the current 55 to 60 years. This is to raise the number of reservists of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF), the Defence Ministry said after the government session. The age limit for petty officers and junior military staff is being raised from 55 to 65, and for officers and senior military staff from 60 to 65. Staff shortages are seen as one of the biggest problems of the SAF.

Committee unhappy with lack of progress on Roma issues

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Affairs Committee discussed the situation of the Roma in Slovenia in a lengthy debate on Tuesday, with members expressing concern over the lack of progress. Many believe that the situation has not improved but worsened over the past 30 years, while good practices are few and far between. The committee passed several resolutions, among other things underlining the importance of cooperation between the Roma and local communities, and encouraging more organised activities for Roma children and families.

Slovenia will not have its own pavilion at Expo in Osaka

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will be presented at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, in a joint pavilion rather than independently due to changed circumstances, the government decided. Joint pavilions provided by the organiser will be available for rent and sharing. The cost of the presentation has thus been reduced to EUR 2 million. Last March, the government said Slovenia intended to take part in the Expo 2025 that will be held from 13 April and 13 October 2025 with an independent pavilion, with the cost of the project estimated at EUR 15 million.

Fajon says no major irregularities found in conduct of ambassador to Kosovo

LJUBLJANA/PRISHTINA, Kosovo - Following accusations of workplace bullying made against Slovenia's Ambassador to Kosovo Minca Benedejčič, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon told RTV Slovenija that no major irregularities had been found in the conduct of the ambassador. She has urged Benedejčič to improve interpersonal relations at work, Fajon added. Mistakes were made, particularly in the ambassador's relations with the embassy's staff, the minister said after talking about the issue with the ambassador. The conversation was also devoted to specific improvements in working conditions at the embassy.

Slovenian-based Hisense Europe opens new plant in Serbia

VALJEVO, Serbia - The Slovenian-based group Hisense Europe has launched production in a new plant in Valjevo, Serbia, to produce Hisense, Gorenje and Asko double-door refrigerators. The EUR 45 million investment will bring in an additional 1,000 workers in the next three years. "This facility represents a major investment and is proof of our commitment to this community and country, both domestically and in the European market," the group's president Hanson Han said at the inauguration ceremony. Based in Slovenia, Hisense Europe emerged after the integration of China's Hisense and Slovenia's home appliances maker Gorenje in 2018.

Business chamber and ministry launching digital info points

CELJE - The Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS) and the Ministry of Digital Transformation signed a contract under which the OZS will be launching 222 digital info points across the country, providing assistance to residents with digital public services. The info points are to be up and running in two months, OZS President Blaž Cvar said, adding that there would be one info point in each of Slovenia's 212 municipalities and several in the cities of Celje, Kranj, Koper, Maribor and Ljubljana. They will be open at least five days a week, for a total of at least 18 hours a week. The first 62 points will open within a month and the others a month later.

Scouts addressing alleged sexual assault case within their ranks

LJUBLJANA - The Scout Association of Slovenia notified the public of a case involving a suspected sexual offence against minors committed by a troop leader. The suspect has been withdrawn from all activities until the circumstances are clarified, and the parents of the members of the troop have been contacted. The General Police Administration said the suspect had been brought before an investigating judge and that he had been put in detention. It added that the investigation was still ongoing. After the incident, a contact point was established where scouts and their parents can report any deviant behaviour and related concerns.

Borut Pahor becomes honorary member of Slovenska Matica

LJUBLJANA - Former President Borut Pahor became an honorary member of the nation's oldest cultural and scientific society, Slovenska Matica. Presenting the title, Slovenska Matica President Aleš Gabrič pointed to Pahor's support for legislation that ensured reliable funding, and his sponsorship of several events. Accepting the honour, Pahor said Slovenska Matica was a cornerstone of the nation's maturity in culture and science, and said the title was a responsibility to advocate for the society also in the future.

Exhibition on late writer Pahor moving to his native Trieste

TRIESTE, Italy - After being on display in the European Parliament in Brussels and the National Assembly in Ljubljana, an exhibition dedicated to Slovenian writer Boris Pahor (1913-2022) and marking the first anniversary of his death has moved to the National Hall in Trieste, Pahor's native city. Focusing on Pahor's literature, it features the author's works, including translations of Necropolis, a novel about his experience of concentration camps, into various languages, and awards and personal belongings. It is in his 2006 novel Trg Oberdan (Oberdan Square) that Pahor describes how he witnessed in 1920 the Fascists burning down the National Hall building.

Roglič is the winner of stage 17 at Vuelta a Espana

LJUBLJANA/ALTO DE L'ANGLIRU, Spain - Primož Roglič (Jumbo Visma) won stage 17 at the Vuelta a Espana to retain his 3rd place overall, after winning stage 8 as well. After the 120km route from Ribadesella to the top of Alto de L'Angliru, Roglič was followed by two of his teammates, Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark and Sepp Kuss from the US, who kept the red jersey. This is Roglič's 79th career win, and 14th this season. He won the Spanish Grand Tour in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and he won the Giro d'Italia and the Tirreno-Adriatico, Catalonia and Burgos races this year.