News roundup - Tuesday, 19 September, until 3pm

Govt not considering reintroducing border control due to migration

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The government is not considering reintroducing controls at its border with Croatia despite the fact that the number of illegal crossing of the border has surged, Foreign Ministry State secretary Marko Štucin said as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Instead, the government wants Croatia and other Western Balkan countries to do everything they can to curb migration. "I very much want and I think we all foremost want Croatia to do everything it can to limit the number of migrants," he said.

Pirc Musar co-chairs UN event discussing digital technologies

NEW YORK, US - President Nataša Pirc Musar and Kenyan President William Ruto co-chaired in New York on Monday one of the six leaders' dialogues discussing digital technologies as part of the UN Development Summit. So far, only about 15% of the UN sustainable development goals have been reached and according to Pirc Musar there was a lot of talk on how to accelerate this. She also said things needed to be shifted up a gear if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Fajon talks priorities with fellow new Security Council members

NEW YORK, US - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon met with her counterparts from the other newly elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss priorities, including conflict prevention and climate security. They agreed that it is necessary to strengthen trust in the UN Security Council. Fajon said that the foreign ministers had firmly advocated for the clear goal of rebuilding trust in the functioning of the UN Security Council as the primary guardian of international peace and security.

US counting on continuation of good cooperation with Slovenia

NEW YORK, US - John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communication at the US National Security Council, said the US was looking forward to working with Slovenia in the next two years, when it will be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Speaking to the press on Monday ahead of the UN General Assembly, he singled out the war in Ukraine as an issue he expects the US will work closely on with Slovenia, but he also mentioned climate change, economic development and infrastructure improvement in lower-middle-income countries, global health, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Commissioner says Slovenia will receive funds from agricultural reserve

BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski on Monday that Slovenia will receive funding from the EU agricultural reserve to tackle the consequences of flooding in agriculture. Slovenia has already received EUR 1.2 million, but this is not enough. "That is why the Commission is ready to consider an emergency measure financed from the agricultural reserve. This would provide Slovenia with additional funds," he said, without giving further details.

Slovenia to purchase another transport aircraft from Italy

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian and Italian defence ministers Marjan Šarec and Guido Crosetto have signed an agreement on the purchase of a second C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, based on the government-to-government model, the Defence Ministry said. This comes after Slovenia purchased the first such aircraft two years ago. The purchase will enable the Slovenian Armed Forces to provide tactical airlift of troops and cargo, and the aircraft will also be used for the transport of people and cargo in cases of natural and other disasters and to help fight wildfires.

Banks double net profit in first seven months to EUR 557.9m

LJUBLJANA - In the first seven months of the year, banks in Slovenia generated EUR 636.5 million in pre-tax profit, which is more than double of that in the same period last year, while net profit also more than doubled to EUR 557.9 million. The year-on-year profit growth is slowing down as net impairments and provisions are increasing, the central bank said. The 114.1% growth of pre-tax profit and the 108.8% growth in net profit compares to 151% and 144.8%, respectively, in the first half of the year.

Business reps wary of new taxes for post-flood reconstruction

LJUBLJANA - In light of the post-flood reconstruction effort, representatives of business organisations again called for measures that would ensure a stable and attractive business environment and voiced opposition to new taxation that they believe will only bring additional uncertainty and hamper business. They said that it was "essential for the entire economy that a stable and attractive business environment is provided", and that "vague statements about new taxes that bring additional turmoil should be avoided."

Latest attempt to sell struggling foundry MLM fails

MARIBOR - The fate of MLM, a fully state-owned foundry from Maribor, hangs in the balance after the latest attempt to find a strategic partner failed last week. The company has not managed to break even since 2016 despite carrying out a comprehensive restructuring plan, while EU rules prevent it from receiving more state aid. The Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) said that one potential buyer withdrew last week, while all options for state aid have already been used. It added that despite a lot of effort at financial restructuring, the company has been posting losses since 2016.

Flood-relief jobs eligible for fast-tracking announced

LJUBLJANA - The government published a list of professions for which the issuing of work permits for foreigners has been simplified so that they can join the post-flood reconstruction effort. The professions include drivers of heavy lorries, bricklayers and carpenters, and various fitters and repairers of water and gas supply installations. The relevant decree, which has been issued by Labour Minister Luka Mesec, entered into force last Saturday.

Ana Roš becomes first Slovenian chef with three Michelin stars

LJUBLJANA - Chef Ana Roš's restaurant Hiša Franko has become the first Slovenian establishment to be awarded three Michelin stars, the highest accolade conferred by the veritable restaurant guide. "The third Michelin star is the recognition of our creativity, innovation and dedication to culinary art. It confirms that we are on the right path," Hiša Franko from Kobarid said on becoming only the 140th restaurant in the world with the Michelin Guide's top accolade. Milka in Kranjska Gora was promoted to two stars. Seven more restaurants won one star each.

Property crime in Ljubljana on the rise

LJUBLJANA - Police statistics of property crime for 2023 and 2022 show considerable annual rises in thefts and burglaries in Ljubljana, especially in the city centre and the borough of Vič, which houses the overcrowded main unit of the national asylum centre. In the first eight months of 2022, there were nearly 1,270 such crimes in the city centre, up 67% from the same period in 2021. The figure that stands out is a 59.5% rise to nearly 990 crimes in the borough of Vič.