News roundup - Friday, 3 May

Pirc Musar endorses Pahor for Belgrade-Prishtina post

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar supports her predecessor Borut Pahor's efforts to become the EU's next representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue, her office told the STA. The president's endorsement comes after she told the Kosovo portal Kallxo in a recent interview that Pahor is "capable of taking up this post" given his 17 years of experience in top political jobs in Slovenia.

Fajon to visit Israel, West Bank on Sunday

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will visit Israel and the West Bank on Sunday, meeting with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials to discuss ways to resolve the conflict, the Foreign Ministry announced. This will be her second visit to the region after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Slovenia's exports down 2.1% in March, imports decline by 6.7%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's merchandise exports declined by 2.1% in March, whereas imports contracted by 6.7%, Statistics Office figures show. While exports to EU countries dropped by 8.1%, exports to non-EU markets rose by 6.1%. Excluding re-exports, even trade outside the EU contracted, by 8.5%. Imports from the EU were down by 12.2%, whereas imports from countries outside the EU were broadly flat. Excluding re-exports, however, trade with non-EU countries contracted by 8.4%.

Journalists want better conditions, RSF notes they are under pressure

PARIS, France/LJUBLJANA - Slovenian journalists voiced the demand for better conditions on World Press Freedom Day, calling on the state to provide for a framework in which independent media could thrive and serve the public. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted that despite media freedom protection in Slovenia, journalists had been subjected to political and, increasingly, economic pressures. In the NGO's latest World Press Freedom Index, Slovenia ranks 42nd, an improvement of eight places.

Ex-UKOM head's criminal complaint over STA financing rejected

LJUBLJANA - The prosecution rejected a June 2021 criminal complaint filed by Uroš Urbanija, the former director of the Government Communication Office (UKOM), against an NGO member and Nataša Pirc Musar, the current president, who at the time represented the NGO as a lawyer. The complaint was filed over alleged false accusations related to suspension of STA funding after the NGO pressed charges against Urbanija. The prosecution is yet to make a decision on the complaint against him.