News roundup - Tuesday, 19 September

President spotlights climate change and gender equality in UN address

NEW YORK, US - Addressing the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President Nataša Pirc Musar focused on issues such as climate change, the UN Security Council reform, the pitfalls of the digital age, and gender equality. She announced that Slovenia planned to increase its contribution to the Green Climate Fund by 50%. She said that the current times were the most challenging since the establishment of the UN. She believes that the world should tackle challenges, such as climate change, as one. Worried because the seriousness of climate change has not yet been recognised universally, she called for putting an end to "the business-as-usual mentality".

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. Janez Janša, the leader of the Democrats (SDS), meanwhile called for a meeting of the National Security Council.

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.

News editor-in-chief at TV Slovenija resigns

LJUBLJANA - Jadranka Rebernik, news editor-in-chief at TV Slovenija, handed in her resignation, having led the news desk at the TV arm of public broadcaster RTV Slovenija since the end of 2021. She will be succeeded as acting editor-in-chief by Polona Fijavž, who has until recently served as a correspondent in Berlin, RTV Slovenija said. Rebernik did not enjoy support among the majority of journalists at TV Slovenija news programmes since before her term started, and was urged to resign several times.

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.

GZS hands out awards to best innovators

BRDO PRI KRANJU - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) handed out awards for top innovations at the 21st Innovation Day. Ten golden, 22 silver, and 11 bronze awards were given out to companies from a wide array of fields. Among others, golden awards went to home appliance maker BSH Hišni Aparati Nazarje, documents maker Cetis, industrial group Hidria, woodworking company iQwood, pharma companies Krka, Novartis and Lek, and steel manufacturers SIJ Acroni and SIJ Metal Ravne.

SPIRIT hosts defence industry forum to explore cooperation possibilities with Thales

LJUBLJANA - A defence industry forum aimed to boost cooperation between Slovenia's space, defence and security industries and French multinational Thales. The event was organised by the Slovenian public agency SPIRIT in collaboration with the Slovenian defence industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS). SPIRIT said in a release that Thales is a global tech leader with more than 77,000 workers on five continents.

NGOs take issue with AI act, child sexual abuse regulation

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian NGOs joined their foreign peers in warning of the perceived negative consequences of the proposed EU Artificial Intelligence Act and the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse. They argue that in their current form, they violate the right to freedom and security, private and family life and the protection of personal data. The proposed AI Act does introduce certain mechanisms for a more responsible use of AI, but the pressure from some member states may lead to some hard-fought restrictions being dropped from the final text, a coalition of NGOs told the press.

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.

Minister Mesec insists on his innocence in defamation case

LJUBLJANA - Rok Snežič, a tax adviser with alleged links to opposition leader Janez Janša, is suing Labour Minister Luka Mesec for defamation. Insisting he rightfully stated that Snežič had been convicted, the minister and his legal counsel have submitted what they claim to be corroborating evidence. This is Snežič's second defamation lawsuit against Mesec after the minister labelled him a criminal in a televised election debate in March 2022. The first one is pending.

Koper port welcomes millionth passenger, announces expansion

KOPER - The Koper port welcomed its millionth passenger since its first opened its passenger terminal in 2005. Port operator Luka Koper and the local municipality also announced a new passenger facility will be built by the end of 2025. Slovenia's sole maritime port has had a record-breaking number of visitors this year. By year's end, they expect some 80 cruise ships to dock, carrying a total of around 120,000 passengers.

Atlantic Grupa inaugurates its biggest solar plant in Rogaška Slatina

ROGAŠKA SLATINA - Atlantic Grupa, a Croatian multinational that owns Slovenian food company Droga Kolinska, has inaugurated a EUR 900,000 solar plant on the roof of a beverages production facility in Rogaška Slatina. It will generate 1 gigawatt of electricity annually. Slovenian Minister of the Environment and Energy Bojan Kumer welcomed investments by businesses into sustainable operations, saying that a major shift towards renewables is what will take us on the path of green transition.

Entrepreneur allegedly beaten to death out of revenge

MARIBOR - The motive for the murder of a 64-year-old entrepreneur active in manufacturing of metal structures who was found dead by his employees in Zgornji Duplek near Maribor earlier this month was revenge and financial gain, Maribor chief investigator Stanko Vidovič told the press. A 33-year-old suspect is in custody after being apprehended Friday morning.

Women's canoe team wins bronze at World Championships

LONDON, UK - Slovenia won the bronze medal in the women's C1 team event as the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships opened at the Lee Valley White Water Centre near London. The championships at the venue that hosted the canoe slalom events of the 2012 Summer Olympics started well for Slovenia, as Eva Alina Hočevar, Alja Kozorog and Lea Novak won a medal in the very first event.