News roundup - Friday, 2 February

Foreign Ministry non-paper on Gaza draws on Bosnia, Kosovo lessons

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry drafting a non-paper on Gaza that outlines how Slovenia's experience in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo could be leveraged to resolve the crisis in Gaza. It discusses about the possibility of a United Nations Security Council resolution as a legal basis for the international community's involvement and a high-level conference on Gaza, and deals with how to address Israel's security concerns and how to devise a rebuilding of Gaza, the STA has learnt.

Fajon calls for greater cooperation with Indo-Pacific region

BRUSSELS, Bellgium - Slovenia's Tanja Fajon said the country was committed to strengthening cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region and Southeast Asia because of their exceptional economic and geostrategic importance, as she participated in debates as the EU foreign ministers participated in an EU-Indo-Pacific ministerial forum and a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Slovenia's exports up by 4.4% in 2023, imports up by 0.6%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia exported EUR 54.9 billion worth of goods in 2023, up by 4.4% compared to 2022. The import of goods reached EUR 57 billion, up by 0.6% from 2022. The external trade deficit amounted to EUR 2.1 billion, putting the export-import ratio to 96.4%. Export to EU countries decreased by 5.2% compared to 2022, while export to non-EU countries increased by 19.4%.

Specialised prosecution investigating 19 suspects for grand corruption

LJUBLJANA - After police carried out a number of house searches last week, including at Ljubljana's Town Hall and Mayor Zoran Janković's home, the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office said it is investigating 19 individuals suspected of systemic corruption regarding acquisition of building permits and abuse of the municipality's funds. The prosecution initially investigate two persons but over the course of a year it expanded the probe.

Slovenia tops list of ECHR lawsuits per capita last year

STRASBOURG, France - Last year, 978 new lawsuits were filed against Slovenia at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), with Slovenia recording the highest rate relative to the number of residents among the 46 member states of the Council of Europe (CoE). The number of pending cases against Slovenia is 910, up from just 137 in 2022.

EIB signed EUR 359m in new commitments in Slovenia in 2023

LUXEMBOURG - The European Investment Bank (EIB) group signed EUR 359 million in new commitments for projects in Slovenia in 2023, funding projects that promote sustainable transport and progress towards decarbonisation and sustainability. The European Investment Fund (EIF) entered two guarantee agreements for EUR 67 million. The EIB "approved key projects to enhance the country's infrastructure," it said.

Adria Mobil posts record revenue

NOVO MESTO - Adria Mobil, a maker of caravans and motorhomes which is part of the French group Trigano, generated a record high revenue of EUR 572 million in the 2022/2023 business year. The company sold 4% fewer units or 15,000. The Adria Mobil Group, which also includes Slovenian companies Adria Plus, Podgorje and Adria Dom, as well as companies in Croatia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK and Switzerland, sold 16,500 vehicles and generated EUR 660 million in revenue, up 12% on the previous year.

Number of whooping cough cases on the rise

LJUBLJANA - The number of cases of whooping cough is increasing in Slovenia, with 76 cases reported to the authorities this year alone, which compares to 120 in the entire 2023. Three children, including two infants, were hospitalised in Ljubljana in the past month. National Institute of Public Health data show the vaccination rate was at below 90% in 2022.

Maribor Art Gallery celebrates 70 years with major display

MARIBOR - The Maribor Art Gallery (UGM), a regional museum of art, is marking its 70th anniversary with a major display of over 250 works from its 10,000-plus collection, which features Slovenian artists since the end of the 19th century. Some have iconic status, some are less known, and others will be on show for the first time.

Ptuj entering carnival mode

PTUJ - Carnival festivities chasing away winter are starting early this year and will run from 3 to 13 February. Ptuj, one of the country's best known carnival cities, will host its 64th traditional Kurentovanje festival. The highlight will be an international carnival procession on 11 February. At the core of Kurentovanje are Kurents, scary sheepskin figures with huge cow bells, which are also part of UNESCO's intangible heritage.