News roundup - Friday, 5 July, until 3pm

Deal ending strike at administrative units signed

LJUBLJANA - The government and trade unions representing administration unit staff, most of whom have been on strike since mid-March, signed a strike-ending agreement. The deal takes effect on Tuesday. Public Administration Minister Franc Props said that activities to implement it will be launched immediately, meaning higher pay for increased workload where there are backlogs, reduction of backlogs, and the appointment of two task forces. The agreement also explicitly states that workers will be paid for the time they were on strike.

Slovenia and Brazil sign tourism and air transport agreements

BRASILIA, Brazil - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon started on Thursday her three-day visit to Brazil where she met her Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira. The pair affirmed the excellent relations and signed an air transport agreement and a memorandum on cooperation in tourism, the Foreign Ministry said. "Brazil is our key economic and political partner in Latin America. With the Port of Koper and the interest of the Slovenian economy we have the potential to strengthen cooperation in areas such as renewables, AI, digitalisation, space and water management," Fajon said.

Slovenia's exports up 2.4% in May, imports up 5.1%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's exports in May stood at EUR 5.04 billion, or 2.4% more than in the same month last year, while imports were up by 5.1% to EUR 5.57 billion. A trade deficit of almost EUR 536 million was recorded, with exports accounting for 90.4% of imports in May, the Statistics Office said. Country-wise, Germany accounted for the largest share of Slovenia's exports of goods (24.2%) and was also the largest partner (23.4%) in terms of imports. In the first five months of the year, Slovenia's exports were up by 10.2%, and imports increased by 12.8%.

Dewesoft provides measurement system for Ariane 6 rocket

TRBOVLJE - The measurement systems for the European Ariane 6 launcher, which will be launched into space by the European Space Agency (ESA) on 9 July, have been provided by the Trbovlje-based company Dewesoft. The measuring instruments can capture data in the most demanding conditions, according to the company. Dewesoft's deal with ESA on the Ariane 6 project is valued at more than EUR 1 million, the company told the STA, adding that the project was not finalised yet.

Equality advocate calls for greater funding of sign language

LJUBLJANA - The Advocate of the Principle of Equality warned that, despite the recent development of the Slovenian sign language and it being enshrined in the constitution three years ago, there has been no significant progress in this regard. The Culture Ministry has been recommended to provide systemic funding for the development of the sign language and to examine the options of obtaining EU and other funds for this purpose.

Close-to-nature forestry on list of intangible heritage

LJUBLJANA - Close-to-nature forest management has been entered into the register of intangible cultural heritage at the proposal of the Radlje ob Dravi municipality. Close-to-nature forest management is the most challenging form of forest management, the Slovenia Forest Service said in a press release on Friday. It requires special knowledge of tree species, recommended combinations of species and different growing sites.