News roundup - Friday, 5 July

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. Administrative units will go back to normal on Monday, much to the relief of people and companies that have had a hard time accessing vital services. 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, and reduction of backlogs. Unionist Franc Verk said the deal was a step forward.

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, 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%.

Golob congratulates UK's new prime minister

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob has congratulated Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, on his election as UK's prime minister. "Looking forward to working with you to strengthen even further our bilateral ties and upgrade cooperation between the EU and the UK," Golob was quoted as saying on the government's profile on X. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon congratulated her new UK counterpart David Lammy.

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.

Istrian honey from Slovenia, Croatia protected by EU

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission approved a Slovenian-Croatian initiative to include Istarski med/Istrski med, a honey produced in Croatia and Slovenia, in the register of Protected Designation of Origin. "The variety and richness of the region and the combination of pollen gives it specific organoleptic characteristics, which is reflected in its specific tastes and odours," the Commission said in explaining the decision.

UNESCO establishes cross-border Julian Alps biosphere

AGADIR, MOROCCO - Slovenia and Italy succeeded with their joint bid with UNESCO for the establishment of a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in the Julian Alps, bringing together two existing biospheres: the Slovenian Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve and the Italian Julian Prealps Biosphere Reserve. Announcing the decision, the international coordinating council of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme said it wanted to encourage Slovenia and Italy to continue their efforts for an expansion that would also include the Dobratsch park in Austria.

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.

Two killed, including a child, as French van crashes into truck

VRTOJBA - Two people were killed in a traffic accident on the Vipava expressway near Vrtojba as a van with French license plates crashed into a Slovenian semi-trailer truck from behind. The 40-year-old driver of the French van and a child who was sitting in the front, both presumably French nationals were killed, and seven other passengers in the van injured, the Nova Gorica Police Department said. The group were travelling to France.