News roundup - Tuesday, 16 July, until 3pm

Hungarian presidency must put Europe first, deputy PM says

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Hungarian EU presidency must put Europe first, deputy Prime Minister Luka Mesec said as he commented on Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's recent visits to Kyiv, Moscow and Beijing. Mesec said the government is yet to discuss a potential boycott of informal ministerial meetings hosted by Budapest. "I would like to express my discontent with the position of the prime minister of the country holding the presidency, Mr Orban. Europe deserves to be put first," he said.

Adria Tehnika now owned by Czech Hartenberg

BRNIK - The Czech investment company Hartenberg Holding, co-founded by former Czech PM Andrej Babiš, has become the sole owner of the aircraft maintenance company Adria Tehnika. With a somewhat changed management, Adria Tehnika will remain seated near Ljubljana airport, and all its business operations will be kept there. Hartenberg has been the sole owner of Adria Tehnika since mid-June, taking over the ownership from Poland's Avia Prime, where Hartenberg holds a 72% stake.

Croatian retailer Studenac coming to Slovenia

ŠENTJUR - The Croatian retailer Studenac has signed a contract to purchase the Šentjur-based grocery chain Kea as it seeks to enter the Slovenian retail market. Kea, which has own stores but also runs a number of Tuš franchises, employs around 250 employees across 31 stores in Celje, Maribor and in the Prekmurje and Primorska regions. Last year it generated nearly EUR 50 million in revenue. "Expansion into Slovenia is an important milestone for our company," Studenac CEO Michal Senczuk wrote in a press release. The deal still has to be cleared by the Slovenian market regulator.

Flood-hit KLS Ljubno records loss in 2023

LJUBNO OB SAVINJI - KLS Ljubno, the automotive industry supplier which saw its plant in Ljubno ob Savinji in northern Slovenia damaged in the August 2023 floods, posted a loss last year after recording nearly EUR 11 million in net profit in 2022. The company's operating revenue decreased by 15% to EUR 51.2 million, CEO Mirko Strašek has told the STA. KLS Ljubno, which specialises in the production of ring gears for internal combustion engines, has been able to repair much of the damage from the floods, said Strašek, adding that the restoration work will continue throughout 2024 and 2025.

Regulated fuel prices up as govt increases margins

LJUBLJANA - The price of regular petrol sold outside the motorway network increased by 3.5 cents to EUR 1.514 per litre, while the price of diesel went up by 2.1 cents to EUR 1.528 per litre, after the government raised fuel retailers' margins last night. The price of heating oil increased by 0.1 cents to EUR 1,146 per litre. The margins on regular petrol and diesel were raised by two cents following complaints by fuel retailers that the margins do not cover the cost of doing business.

Charity worker Anita Ogulin dies after illness

LJUBLJANA - Charity worker Anita Ogulin, who recently received a presidential decoration for her lifetime efforts dedicated to voluntary service and aid to people in need, has died aged 72 after struggling with cancer, which she spoke openly about. She dedicated her life to humanitarian work and protection of children, for which she received many awards. Born in 1952, Ogulin headed the Moste Polje Association of the Friends of Youth in Ljubljana as a volunteer for years before retiring, but continued to work for the NGO until her death. In April, her name was added to the NGO's name to honour her work.