News roundup - Friday, 11 October

Slovenia supports Jordanian King's peace plan, PM says

PAPHOS, Cyprus - Slovenia welcomed a peace plan for the Middle East presented to the leaders of the MED9 group by Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, PM Robert Golob said in a joint statement following the group's annual meeting. Slovenia also supports France's initiative to halt the sale of arms to the region. The group also discussed migrations and the economy, with Golob saying that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a concrete strategy for the latter. He believes, however, that additional funds will be needed to boost the economy. The next MED9 meeting will be hosted by Slovenia, he announced.

Golob expects measures after Mahle subsidiary announces layoffs

LJUBLJANA - PM Robert Golob expressed concern after the Slovenian subsidiary of Mahle said Mahle Electric Drives Slovenija plans to lay off more than 600 workers. The Šempeter pri Gorici-based company is of incredible importance for the region of Goriška, he said, calling on Economy Minister Matjaž Han to draft measures to prevent further job losses in the company. Han announced he will meet on Monday with the company's representatives, as well as with trade unions. His ministry also said that Han had warned before about structural challenges, including high energy prices and the geopolitical situation, which affect business.

President stresses EU-US partnership at Arraiolos meeting

KRAKOW, Poland - The partnership between the EU and the US is the most important bilateral relationship for the EU, President Nataša Pirc Musar said at the meeting of the Arraiolos group in Krakow, urging the EU to continue supporting Ukraine and protecting human rights in other conflicts. She also stressed the importance of Europe's defence autonomy in the context of current geopolitical challenges. "Will the US come to defend Europe if need be? Realistically, the US will not be ready to lead more than one extensive military operation at a time," she said, adding that ways to resolve conflict peacefully have to be found.

Slovenia reiterates call for ceasefire in Lebanon

NEW YORK, US - Warning that the Middle East is on the brink of all-out war, Slovenia's Ambassador Samuel Žbogar told a UN Security Council session on Thursday that Hezbollah must stop its attacks on Israel, whereas Israel must end its military operation in Lebanon. He said it was necessary to respect Lebanon's sovereignty, comply with the provisions of Resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006, after the last war in Lebanon, and ensure the security of members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The session was called primarily because of Israeli attacks on the UNIFIL headquarters.

Defence expert says Nobel committee sends message with Peace Prize pick

LJUBLJANA - Nuclear arms are once again becoming a threat, not only to global peace and security but to the existence of civilisation itself, defence expert Klemen Grošelj, a former MEP, said by way of commenting on the pick for this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group lobbying against nuclear arms. He believes the pick sends a clear message about what is the greatest threat to peace and what the international community should strive for. He warned that the theoretic threshold of nuclear weapons use is becoming ever lower.

Minister Arčon meeting Slovenians in Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon met during his two-day visit to Luxembourg on Thursday and Friday with Slovenia's representatives working in EU institutions and with a representative of the Slovenian community there, which has some 1,000 members, his office said on Friday. He is now continuing his mini tour of Slovenian communities in Belgium. His office said that the Slovenians working in EU or other institutions find it very important that their children can learn Slovenian and about Slovenian culture at school.

Takeover bid for savings bank Lon falls through

LJUBLJANA - A takeover bid for Hranilnica Lon, a small savings bank, by businessman Otmar Zorn and the companies Zorn Plus and GIC Gradnje has failed. Shareholders owning a combined 12.75% stake accepted the bid, but the bank regulator did not allow the bidders to increase their stake. The offer made it clear that the acquisition was subject to clearance by the Bank of Slovenia or the European Central Bank, but the condition was not met by the deadline, reads a public announcement in the daily Delo. The bid, which was on until 8 October, involved all of Lon's 224,125 shares, minus the 92,532 shares Zorn and the two companies already hold. Those who accepted the bid owned 28,571 shares at the time.

Unior closing small plant in south Slovenia

STARI TRG OB KOLPI - Unior, a state-owned tool maker and automotive supplier, will close its production facility in Stari Trg ob Kolpi in south Slovenia, and relocate production to its headquarters in Zreče. Unior CEO Robert Vuga told Forbes Slovenia that the facility had not been profitable for a few years while it is too remote from the main factory in Zreče - two hours and a half north - so this is one of the steps for optimising production. Out of the 29-member workforce, about a third will retire, some will register as unemployed and the rest will hopefully get a job in other companies in the area.

Lack of investment funds noted as judiciary budget debated

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Justice Committee discussed the Justice Ministry's supplementary budget for 2025 and the draft budget for 2026, with Minister Andreja Katič noting the lack of sufficient funds for construction or maintenance investments. There is also no guarantee of the funding needed to continue the new courthouse project. Under the new draft version of the ministry's 2025 budget, the amount of funds would total EUR 134.8 million, up EUR 31.3 million from the original 2025 budget. The proposed amount of funds for 2026 is much lower, at EUR 110.3 million.

Committee happy with budget for culture, calls for investment in infrastructure

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Culture Committee discussed the budgets for culture for the next two years, expressing satisfaction the funds will rise from EUR 234.87 to EUR 271.76 million next year. If various EU funds are factored in, the ministry will have EUR 325 million at disposal, said State Secretary Marko Rusjan. Film funds will increase to EUR 14.4 million and those for the Book Agency to EUR 6.9 million. About the same funding is planned for 2026. Andrej Hoivik of the opposition SDS said he would also like to see more funds for cultural heritage, archives and libraries, and for the promotion of the Slovenian language.

Prison administration says measures against overcrowding not threat to public safety

LJUBLJANA - The optional suspensions of prison sentences to reduce overcrowding in prisons will not affect public safety, said director general of the Prison Administration Bojan Majcen. He said that every case will be treated individually. The suspension of prison sentences has already been a possibility but only due to poor health of prisoners or their immediate family members, or urgent work that cannot be delayed, Majcen said. The measures are much needed in light of the worsening situation, he said, adding that last year Slovenian prisons housed 1,500 prisoners but now the number is at 1,827.

British-Slovenian business conference examines untapped cooperation potential

LJUBLJANA - A British-Slovenian Business Conference explored ways to enhance economic cooperation, with British Ambassador Victoria Harrison acknowledging that Brexit has created business challenges, but assured the UK government is working to address them. Despite Brexit, trade between Slovenia and the UK has grown beyond pre-pandemic levels, noted the head of the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce Luka Vesnaver. He highlighted opportunities in ICT, tourism, food, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Also presented was a Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) survey conducted among Slovenia companies familiar with the UK market, analysing the business environment, investment plans, and trade barriers.

Marko Hribernik appointed head of Ljubljana Opera and Ballet

LJUBLJANA - Artistic director of the Ljubljana Opera, Marko since 2000, Hribernik has been appointed director of the Ljubljana Opera and Ballet, the Culture Ministry said. The 49-year-old conductor and pianost will assume his new job on 10 February, successing Staš Ravter, who had unsuccessfully applied for another term. Hribernik has been active as a conductor at home and abroad for the past 20 years. He is also an assistant professor at the department of orchestral conducting at the Ljubljana Academy of Music.

Slovenia keeping strong presence at Frankfurt book fair

FRANKFURT, Germany - After Slovenia was the guest of honour at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair, Slovenian authors and publishers will also be featured at several events at this year's fair to discuss the importance of reading and the newest translations into German. Slovenian publishers will present new Slovenian books fit to be translated as well as recent translations of Slovenian authors. The newly founded Ljubljana Literary Agency will also be present at the fair. With Italy being year's guest of honour, its pavilion will also feature Slovenian translations of Italian works.

Carpaccio back in Koper Cathedral after major restoration

KOPER - A precious Renaissance painting of Mary with the Child by Venetian artist Vittore Carpaccio was unveiled at the Koper Cathedral after five years of painstaking restoration. Measuring four by two and a half metres, the painting from 1516 has been returned to the side altar of St. Roch. In order to restore the painting's original glow, between 18,000 and 20,000 hours of work had to be put in, Barbka Gosar Hirci of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage told the STA. The painstaking work took five years.

Restaurant Week expected to attract 50,000 foodies

LJUBLJANA - Promoting the best that Slovenia's cuisine has to offer, Restaurant Week in its autumn edition is starting with 107 Slovenian restaurants taking part until 20 October. Under the banner of Original, Not a Copy!, the festival highlights culinary originality and creativity. Organisers expect between 50,000 and 60,000 people to turn up, noting that more than half of slots are already full. Although it is still possible to reserve a table, some restaurants are already fully booked.

Slovenia fall to Norway in Oslo in UEFA Nations League

OSLO, Norway - The Slovenian men's national football team suffered a 0:3 (0:1) defeat against Norway in its third UEFA Nations League Group B3 match in Oslo on Thursday evening, and are now third in their group following a draw in the opener against Austria and a win over Kazakhstan. Erling Haaland scored for Norway in the 7th and 63rd minutes, while Alexander Sorloth added a goal in the 52nd minute of the game, in which Slovenia were all but chanceless. "Congratulations and compliments to Norway. A deserved victory. Slovenia have not been this powerless in a long time," Slovenian head coach Matjaž Kek said.