News roundup - Wednesday, 22 May, until 3pm

Slovenia welcomes Palestine recognition plan by Spain, Ireland, Norway

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon welcomed the announcements by Spain, Ireland and Norway that they would recognise Palestine on 28 May. Both of them noted that Slovenia was the first in a group of countries to start the recognition procedure. The country plans to recognise Palestine by 13 June, even though the junior coalition party the Left believes Slovenia should join Spain, Ireland and Norway.

Fajon urges balanced Europe-Africa cooperation

LJUBLJANA - Africa is faced with severe consequences of climate change although it contributes little to the global greenhouse gas emissions, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said as she addressed the opening of Africa Day, an international conference held in Slovenia for the 13th year. She stressed that green transition and sustainable development are key to ensure a better society and industrial growth that will be better adjusted to the future.

Slovenia extends border checks by another six months

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar announced Slovenia would extend checks on its borders with Croatia and Hungary by another six months, after Italy decided to extend the measure on its border with Slovenia. Both reasons cited unstable situation in the Middle East as the reason.

Letter of intent signed for new faculty of medicine

KOPER - PM Robert Golob and University of Primorska Rector Klavdija Kutnar signed a letter of intent to develop medicine studies at the youngest public university in the country. First medicine students are to get enrolled in 2027/28, and the existing Faculty of Health Studies will get new premises next to the Izola General Hospital.

Tensions rise over arrival of ship accused of carrying weapons to Israel

LJUBLJANA - Ahead of the arrival of the Borkum cargo ship in the port of Koper, tensions are rising between authorities and NGOs, as the ship has been accused of carrying weapons headed for Israel. A protest is scheduled to take place in Koper in the afternoon, and the Left urged the government to check what the ship is transporting.

Slovenia to join effort to ensure water in face of conflicts

NEW YORK, US - Samuel Žbogar, Slovenia's representative on the UN Security Council, said on Tuesday that the country would join others to set up a global alliance committed to water protection in armed conflicts later this week. He pointed out devastating consequences of conflicts on civilian life and infrastructure, as he addressed an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

March salary higher y/y

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's average gross salary in March reached EUR 2,332.70, down 2.3% in nominal terms and and 2.1% in real terms from February. The average net salary dropped to EUR 1,480.90, by 2.2% in nominal terms and by 2.0% in real terms, the Statistics Office said. Compared to March 2023, the average gross salary increased by 6.4% nominally while the average net salary increased by 4.0%. In real terms, the increases were 2.7% and 0.4%, respectively.

Austrian hiker found dead after slipping on Mount Mangart

BOVEC - An Austrian citizen reported missing after heading for a hike up Mount Mangart on Monday was found dead by a search team on Tuesday. The police believe that the 53-year-old man, reported missing yesterday morning, slipped and fell in snowy and icy conditions, sustaining fatal injuries.