News roundup - Wednesday, 1 May

PM Golob says EU accession "the best possible decision"

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob stressed in his message marking the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's EU accession that Slovenia's accession was the best possible decision. "In the two decades that Slovenia has been a member of the European family, the world has changed considerably. Slovenia has changed with it. But these changes only reinforce the realisation that our country's accession to the EU 20 years ago was the right and best possible decision for the well-being of Slovenian citizens."

President believes lives of Slovenians better because of EU

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar noted in her address at the 20th anniversary of Slovenia joining the EU the many benefits "Our economy is more successful as our companies can more easily, with less red tape, offer goods and services across the EU," the president said, adding that a thriving economy is what allows the social model to be sustained.

Protest highlights erosion of labour rights

LJUBLJANA - Representatives of trade unions, students and civil society organisations gathered in Ljubljana for a Labour Day anti-capitalist protest. The protest, organised by the trade unions Mladi Plus and Zasuk, the Iskra Student Association and the Centre for Social Research - Cedra, featured a crowd several hundred strong carrying banners with slogans such as "Return 1 May to the worker" and "Workers rule - capitalism must fall".

Von der Leyen congratulates Slovenia on EU accession anniversary

BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Slovenia on the 20th anniversary of its EU membership, praising the country as a strong EU member with a strong sense of solidarity. In the twenty years since Slovenia joined it has changed for the better, but "thanks to your membership Europe has also changed for the better," she said.