News roundup - Monday, 15 April, until 3pm

Slovenian Security Council rep condemns Iran's attack on Israel

NEW YORK, US - As the UN Security Council met on Sunday evening to discuss Iran's attack on Israel, calling on all parties involved to show restraint, respect international law and the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, Slovenia's representative Samuel Žbogar strongly condemned the attack. "We resolutely regret the serious escalation of the crisis, as we did last week on the occasion of the attack on the Iranian consulate," Žbogar said. President Nataša Pirc Musar also called for a ceasefire and diplomatic talks as she responded to the Iranian attack on Israel.

Foreign Minister Fajon on a mini Asian tour

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is visiting Japan on a two-day official trip, joined by Higher Education Minister Igor Papič and a business delegation. Meeting with her counterpart Yoko Kamikawa, she will discuss joint action in the UN Security Council, of which both Slovenia and Japan are non-permanent members, in particular on conflict prevention, strengthening multilateralism and strengthening international order. On Wednesday, Fajon will start a three-day visit to China.

NSi wants EU commissioner pick to get consent from majority of MEPs

LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) filed a bill under which the government will need consent of at least five Slovenian MEPs to propose a candidate for the Slovenian member of the European Commission. Politics in Slovenia always fails the test of maturity in this respect, he said, adding that "there are political manipulations, agreements behind-the-scenes and the struggle for political prestige over and over again," NSi deputy group head Janez Cigler Kralj said. The party argues that this would provide the candidate with greater credibility.

Minority rights activist Samo Pahor dies

TRIESTE, Italy - Samo Pahor, historian, professor and activist for the rights of the Slovenian minority in Italy, died on Sunday at the age of 84. Pahor is best known for his long-standing efforts in the fight for the rights of Slovenians in Italy. In 2023 he received a medal of merit for his work, notably his contributions to a decision by the Italian Constitutional Court in 1992 on protection of minorities and the use of mother tongue in public administration.

Gaza, Ukraine in focus of PEN International Writers' Meeting

LJUBLJANA/BLED - The 56th PEN International Writers' Meeting is taking place in Ljubljana and Bled until Thursday as an opportunity to foster dialogue between different opinions and discuss the wars in Gaza and Ukraine as well as armed conflicts in Africa. This year's main guest is Pakistani author and human rights activist Tahira Abdullah. Around 60 participants are expected to attend in person, and an additional 20 will take part online.

Salus allocates EUR 7.4m for dividends

LJUBLJANA - The shareholders of Salus, the Ljubljana-based pharmaceutical and medical equipment wholesaler, will allocate EUR 7.38 million or EUR 70 gross per share for dividends, as much as last year. This includes the EUR 35 gross per share that was paid out in January and another EUR 35 to be paid out on 26 April. The rest of the EUR 37.8 million in distributable profit will remain undistributed, Salus said on the website of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.