News roundup - Wednesday, 25 September

Golob urges Security Council action as civilian casualties soar

NEW YORK, US - Prime Minster Robert Golob urged the restoration of trust in the UN, particularly in the Security Council, as he oversaw a special open session of the council held under Slovenia's presidency. He condemned the unacceptable fact that last year saw a record number of civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists killed globally. Golob said that the Security Council shares responsibility for this.

Public sector employees to get pay rise gradually over three years

LJUBLJANA - After two years of public sector pay reform talks, the government and trade unions agreed to spread a pay increase over three years, from 1 January 2025 to 1 January 2028. Unlike now, the lowest pay bracket will match the minimum wage, and there will be 67 pay brackets, each worth 3%, down form the current 4%. Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič said the reform was worth EUR 1.3 billion, which had been factored into the national budgets for the coming years. Both sides, including Prime Minister Robert Golob, shared a view that this was the biggest and most complex overhaul of the public sector wage system in 15 years.

Slovenia urges Israel to respect UN resolutions, stop attacks

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia called on Israel to implement immediate ceasefire and respect the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as the Foreign Ministry summoned the country's ambassador in the face of intensifying attacks on Lebanon and Syria. Slovenia expressed concern over the growing tensions and violence in the Middle East. It condemned attacks by Hezbollah on Israel and called for restraint so as to prevent tensions in the region from rising further.

Ukraine assured continued Slovenian support

NEW YORK, US - Prime Minister Robert Golob assured Ukraine that Slovenia will stand by its side until peace is achieved as Slovenia chaired a torrid UN Security Council session on Tuesday marked by protests by Russia. Golob said European countries are united in condemnation of the aggression, whereas the Security Council "has failed the people of Ukraine." He said only a just peace will give Ukrainians a brighter future and only a lasting peace will allow them to grow and flourish. Such peace cannot come at the expense of fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

Digit ministry tried to avoid fine for traffic offence in Austria

LJUBLJANA - Digital Transformation Minister Emilija Stojmenova Duh was caught speeding and using blue emergency lights in a government car on a motorway in Austria in May, and the ministry tried to avoid paying the fine, the N1 news portal reported. Instead of paying, the ministry contacted the Slovenian embassy in Vienna asking it to request from the Austrian authorities to drop prosecution, which the embassy denied. The report has caused a stir among parliamentary parties, while PM Robert Golob is yet to comment.

Slovenians no longer need visa to travel to China

NEW YORK, US - Slovenians no longer need a visa to travel to China, the Foreign Ministry said after Minister Tanja Fajon met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the session of the UN General Assembly. Fajon welcomed China's decision, adding that the countries also continued to boost their economic relations. The foreign ministers also discussed bilateral relations, rising tensions in the Middle East and efforts of the international community for peace in Ukraine.

Slovenia reports August tourist record

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 1.18 million tourist arrivals in August, 18.2% percent more than in the same month last year, while the number of tourist nights increased by 13.9% to a record 3.27 million, the Statistics Office said. In the first eight months of the year, tourist arrivals were up 6.2% to 4.79 million, and the number of nights increased by 4.3% to 12.54 million. Foreign tourists accounted for three-quarters of all nights.

Last year's deficit higher than initially reported

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's general government deficit in 2023 has been revised to EUR 1.64 billion, which is EUR 88 million or 5.6% more than the initial estimate of the Statistics Office from April. As a share of gross domestic product (GDP), it increased by 0.1 percentage points to 2.6%, which is 0.4 points below the 2022 level. Gross debt was also revised, to EUR 43.739 billion or 68.4% of GDP. This is EUR 69 million more in nominal terms and 0.8 percentage points less as a share of GDP.

Farm machinery maker named Exporter of the Year

LJUBLJANA - Tehnos, a family firm that specialises in farm machinery, has been named Exporter of the Year by the business portal Finance after having become a top ten European producer of mulchers. The company developed an innovative electric mulcher where the electric engine is build into the mulcher's rotor, Finance said.

Survey shows Ukrainian refugees feel safe in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - A survey conducted among Ukrainian refugees in Slovenia suggests that an overwhelming majority feel safe in the country and most intend to stay in the country for the time being. The survey included 193 adult refugees representing 391 household members in December 2023. It is estimated that some 8,000 Ukrainian refugees are living in Slovenia. Asked about their plans for the coming three months, 84% would like to stay in Slovenia and 8% are considering returning to their homeland, while 1% are thinking of moving to another country.

EUR 25m flood protection project launched in Dravograd

DRAVOGRAD - A EUR 25.5 million project has been launched to better protect the municipality of Dravograd from swelling waters of the Drava and Meža. Work, to be carried out at eight locations, including building reinforced concrete support walls, flood defences and stone revetments, started on 17 September. The region of Koroška was hit hard by last year's August floods, although the project, slated for completion at the end of 2025, had been planned even before that.

New research centre to boost resilience of forests

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will get a new lab and research hub, the Forest Seed, Plant and Protection Centre, to improve the resilience of forests to climate change in a EUR 8.65 million investment on which ground was broken on Wednesday. Slated for completion by the end of 2025, the centre will promote sustainable forest management, explore opportunities for biodiversity conservation and focus on developing tree species more resilient to climate change.

Slovenian physicist Prosen appointed to ERC top body

LJUBLJANA - Mathematical physicist Tomaž Prosen, a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Ljubljana, was appointed by the European Commission a member of the scientific council of the European Research Council (ERC). He will start his four-year term on 1 January 2024.