News roundup - Tuesday, 16 July

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.

Re-elected MEPs wish to continue work, newcomers eager to prove themselves

STRASBOURG, France - Nine Slovenian MEPs that were elected or re-elected in the June EU elections started their terms at the maiden session of the new European Parliament. Five of them are newcomers, who would like to be active in areas where they feel at home, while those who have earned another MEP term would like to get on with their work. Commenting on the re-election of Roberta Metsola for president of the European Parliament, the MEPs mostly said that the broad support she received was a result of her work so far.

Slovenia's top officials congratulate Metsola on re-election

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's President Nataša Pirc Musar, Prime Minister Robert Golob and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon congratulated Roberta Metsola on her re-election for European Parliament president, all saying they were looking forward to future cooperation to build a stronger and better EU. Fajon added the EU needed strong women.

Slovenian names new ambassadors to UK and China

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar has signed off on the appointments of new ambassadors to the UK and China. Ambassador Sanja Štiglic has been sent to London and Ambassador Boštjan Malovrh to Beijing. Štiglic, 54, a career diplomat and politician who is currently serving as state secretary at the Foreign Ministry, will replace Ambassador Simona Leskovar, who is leaving the London post on 16 August. In what is another appointment to a major diplomatic post, Malovrh, who is currently serving as Slovenia's permanent representative to the UN, will replace Ambassador Alenka Suhadolnik in Beijing in late August.

Ambassador Žbogar underlines importance of UN Charter in multilateralism

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia's Ambassador to the UN Security Council Samuel Žbogar underlined the importance of upholding the UN Charter in restoring trust in multilateralism as he addressed a Security Council session dedicated to multilateralism called by Russia as part of its presidency of the council in July. While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was very critical of the US, accusing them of wanting to rule the world, nearly all other participating countries said Russia's aggression against Ukraine was one of the main reasons why a multilateral world order is being undermined.

Slovenia calls for upgrade to EU's social policy

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia, together with Spain, Belgium and Romania, called on the future European Commission to step up its efforts in the field of European social policy at a meeting of EU labour and social affairs ministers. In this context, Minister Luka Mesec highlighted wages, social protection, long-term care and housing. Mesec and his counterparts presented a call to the incoming European Commission to remain committed to the social agenda launched by the EU in its outgoing term. The minister highlighted the minimum wage as a key achievement.

Poklukar and Balla agree on increased police cooperation

TIRANA, Albania - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar met his Albanian counterpart Taulant Balla. The pair agreed to step up police cooperation further by appointing a Slovenian police attaché to Albania and expanding and updating the existing agreement on such cooperation in fighting organised crime and terrorism. The ministers agreed that, in addition to operational cooperation between police forces, various projects, study visits, workshops and other forms of joint training are a good way to exchange knowledge and experience, the Slovenian Interior Ministry said after the meeting.

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.

Celje advance to 2nd round of qualifying for UEFA Champions League

CELJE - Having defeated Estonian side Flora in the first round of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Slovenian football champions Celje have made it to the next round. Their next qualifying phase match will take place next week. Celje dominated the first round winning 5:0 against Flora in the first leg in Tallinn last week and 2:1 in the return leg in Celje on Tuesday.