News roundup - Friday, 26 July

Govt puts forward Vesel for EU commissioner

LJUBLJANA - The government unanimously endorsed former Court of Audit president Tomaž Vesel as the candidate for Slovenia's next EU commissioner. Deputy PM Matej Arčon said that given his experience, Vesel, 57, was a very competent candidate. Before Vesel is formally put forward to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he will present his bid to the parliamentary European Affairs Committee. Vesel told the STA he was interested in budget, administration and enlargement portfolios.

Slovenia calls for Olympic truce in Gaza

NEW YORK - Speaking at a session of the UN Security Council on the situation in Gaza, Slovenia's Ambassador Samuel Žbogar called on the UN Security Council to demand that Hamas and Israel finalise a ceasefire agreement and cease hostilities until they reach a deal. This, he said, would be an Olympic ceasefire. He said the Security Council heard numerous reports on the humanitarian situation passed four resolutions and made other steps, but not much has changed.

Slovenia becomes first EU country to issue digital bond

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia on Thursday issued its first Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) bond, which the Finance Ministry said made it the first EU country and one of the few countries in the world to do so. Slovenia issued EUR 30 million of the digital bonds, which mature in four months. The bond has a coupon rate of 3.65% and will mature on 25 November.

Stress tests show Slovenian banking system stable and resilient

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian banking system is stable and resilient to shocks, show stress tests conducted by the country's central bank independently and as part of the European Central Bank. The macro stress test has shown capital stability, and a cybersecurity stress test at ECB level has shown no major negative impact from a potential cyberattack, the Bank of Slovenia said.

Slovenia and Germany discuss railway infrastructure, air links

BLED/BRNIK - Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek hosted German Minister for Digital and Transport Volker Wissing for a working visit. The pair stressed the importance of big investment in railway infrastructure and discussed ways to boost Slovenia's air links. They also met the management of airport operator Fraport Slovenija. Wissing supported Slovenia's efforts to boost its air connectivity, proposing continuation of talks with different partners who could offer ideas or possible solutions.

Slovenian, German ministers discuss cooperation in digitalisation, AI

LJUBLJANA - Digital Transformation Minister Emilija Stojmenova Duh met her German counterpart Volker Wissing to discuss cooperation in semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They agreed cooperation should be strengthened. Stojmenova Duh and Wissing also discussed cooperation in supercomputing, and competence centres, the implementation of EU legislation and the EU's digital policy, and talked about Europe's needs for digital infrastructure and the digital transformation of the economy.

Golob and Han visit Slovenian House in Paris

PARIS, France - Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the Slovenian House in Paris before the Slovenian hub during the 2024 Summer Olympics in officially opened on Saturday. He believes it will be a source of pride for all while being proudly presented to foreigners from all over the world, to athletes and non-athletes, and to all interested in it. Golob is meeting French President Emmanuel Macron today to thank him for his support in Renault choosing its Slovenian plant to produce its new electric Twingo.

NGO critical of EU report on the rule of law

LJUBLJANA - The Legal Network for Protection of Democracy, a Slovenian NGO, criticised the European Commission's rule of law report for failing to say anything about the respect for human rights. While noting that the report, was an important and indispensable mechanism for monitoring the measures taken by EU countries and their impact, the NGO said that because of the flawed methodology of the report's drafting mechanism its impact was extremely limited.

Sovereign Holding allocates EUR 79m for post-flood reconstruction

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) will transfer its entire distributable profit of EUR 78.9 million for 2023 to the post-flood reconstruction fund, in line with a decision taken by the government in its capacity as the SSH general meeting. SSH will also allocate its distributable profit in the coming four years for reconstruction following the August 2023 floods. By the end of June, the post-flood reconstruction fund had pooled EUR 88.4 million.

Property firm Equinox almost triples profit in H1

LJUBLJANA - The real estate company Equinox, whose portfolio includes four hotels in the centre of Ljubljana, and several office buildings, saw net sales revenue increase by 2.31% to EUR 3.55 million year-on-year in the first six months of 2024, while net profit almost tripled to EUR 766,000.

Remains of 2nd century Roman temple likely discovered in Ptuj

PTUJ - A new archaeological find from Roman times, most likely the remains of a temple from the start of the 2nd century AD, has been made in Ptuj. The discovery, which also involved the remains of a wall with a tower dating back to the 1st century AD, was made on the undeveloped grassy hill in the centre of the town, and which a number of other findings have confirmed harbours the remains of an entire town quarter of the Roman city of Poetovio.