News roundup - Friday, 18 October, until 3pm

Slovenian, Luxembourger ministers call for faster implementation of migration pact

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar discussed migration with his Luxembourger counterpart Leon Gloden, with the pair agreeing that certain procedures regrading the EU pact on migration should be sped up. Poklukar said it was not clear yet whether Slovenia will extend checks on its borders with Croatia and Hungary. He was, however, more reserved about reception centres for migrants in third countries, such as the one recently opened in Albania. The two also discussed topical issues in home affairs and the strengthening of relations between the countries' ministries and the police forces.

Slovenian MEP proposes ban on trade with Israeli settlements

BRUSSELS, Belgium - MEP Matjaž Nemec (S&D/SD), backed by a group of 29 MEPs, including fellow Slovenian MEP Irena Joveva (Renew/Freedom Movement) has called for a ban on trade in products from illegal Israeli settlements in an initiative addressed to the European Commission. The MEPs warn that by importing these products the EU not only supports these settlements but also violates its international commitments. "By delaying the implementation of the ICJ's opinion on the ban on trade in products from Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank, the EU is violating international law," Nemec's office said.

Another constitutional challenge to nuclear referendum

LJUBLJANA - Two NGOs and two individuals petitioned the Constitutional Court to review the parliament's decision to hold a referendum on a second unit at the Krško nuclear power station (Krško 2), arguing the referendum question is suggestive and unclear. Voters will be asked whether they "support the implementation of the Krško 2 project, which will ensure a stable supply of electricity together with other low-carbon sources" in the consultative referendum on 24 November. This is the second such challenge after the one initiated by the green party Vesna.

Illegal crossings of the border down 17% in first nine months

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian police dealt with 37,212 illegal crossings of the border in the first nine months of 2024, around 17% fewer than during the same period last year. Syrian citizens continued to stand out, their numbers being up 13-fold and accounting for more than a third of all cases. Afghans follow, but their numbers more than halved. By the end of September, 35,802 migrants expressed their intention to apply for international protection in Slovenia, which is fewer than in the same period last year (43,268).

Vasle says ECB not committing to pre-determined path for interest rates

LJUBLJANA - Bank of Slovenia governor Boštjan Vasle commented on Thursday's additional lowering of the eurozone interest rates by the ECB's governing council by saying the council's decisions will continue to maintain an appropriate monetary policy stance, aiming for a timely return to target inflation. After the ECB governing council met at the Brdo estate in Slovenia and lowered the interest rates by another 0.25 p.p., Vasle stressed that future actions will depend on the given circumstances, specifically economic and financial data, the movement of core inflation, and the effectiveness of policy measures.

Opposition critical of health budgets for 2025, 2026

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Health Committee went over the Health Ministry's budgets for 2025 and 2026; EUR 766 million has been earmarked for next year, nearly EUR 300 million more compared to the initial 2025 budget adopted a year ago. In 2026, the ministry will get EUR 768 million. Presenting the documents to the MPs, State Secretary Denis Kordež said the funds were raised by EUR 295 million to allow "comprehensive funding to stabilise healthcare". Iva Dimic, an MP for the opposition New Slovenia (NSi), said that while the government had drafted a very ambitious budget for 2025 overall, the ministry will get less than it is estimated to use this year. She also wondered why the funds for investments had been cut by EUR 5.5 million compared to the original budget.

Fire breaks out at Bled hotel, none injured

BLED - Rikli Balance Hotel, one of the largest in the lakeside resort town of Bled, was evacuated in early on Friday due to a fire that broke out in one of the saunas. While the blaze caused significant material damage, none of nearly 180 guests sustained serious injuries. Three persons were treated for smoke inhalation but have since been released into home care. While the fire was contained to the sauna area, the nearby indoor pools will have to remain closed until the spa centre is renovated. The rest of the hotel, owned by the group Sava Turizem, will expectedly reopen next week. Hotel guests have been provided with alternative accommodation.

Locals in Ilirska Bistrica oppose wind farm

ILIRSKA BISTRICA - Some 250 locals strongly rejected on Thursday plans to build a wind farm featuring seven up to 175-metre high wind turbines at a plateau east of Ilirska Bistrica, southwest, arguing that the location is in a protected Natura 2000 area. The investor, AAE Gamit, said that the planning was only starting and that more than 20 studies were yet to be made. But if all goes to plan, a decision on a national zoning plan for the project should be ready next year, and should be clear in a year a half whether the project is feasible. Officials said the remarks from locals would be taken into account.

Slovenia sending additional aid to Bosnia-Herzegovina

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will provide additional humanitarian aid to Bosnia-Herzegovina following recent floods and landslides in the country. The Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Slovenian Caritas will provide EUR 100,000 in aid next month, to be used to purchase food and hygiene supplies for around 1,000 people, the ministry said. Particular emphasis will be placed on helping families with young children, single mothers and female-headed households.

Event urges greater engagement against child prostitution

LJUBLJANA - A conference on the exploitation of children through prostitution, organised by the Ključ association on the occasion of European Anti-Trafficking Day, called for raising awareness among professionals, the public, and young people about these abuses. Research shows that even children under the age of 15 in Slovenia are subjected to such exploitation. Helga Dobrin, Interior Ministry state secretary national coordinator for combating human trafficking, cited the latest European Commission report, which shows that nearly one in four victims of human trafficking in the EU is a child, with half of these children subjected to sexual exploitation.

Maribor hosts international computer arts festival

MARIBOR - The 30th International Computer Art Festival (MFRU) is opening in Maribor, featuring a variety of events such as exhibitions, interactive installations, performances, workshops and discussions. Organised by the Maribor Youth Culture Centre, the festival is taking place at Velika Kavarna, a former cafe in the city's main square, as its main venue until 27 October. Themed Off the Shelf. Post-Consumerist Imageries when the Business Left the Building, the festival explores the positioning of digital and media art towards sustainable and social forms of living economies and commerce.

Cellofest opening in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The 5th Cellofest Ljubljana festival is opening today in the Slovenian capital, featuring seven concerts by acclaimed local and foreign cellists, masterclasses and a workshop. The festival will again present the cello in its various roles, as a solo instrument, a solo instrument with the orchestra and piano, a versatile pop music instrument and an ensemble instrument. Hungarian cellist Istvan Vardai and German-Japanese cellist Danjulo Ishizaka, a disciple of Mstislav Rostropovich, will give masterclasses and concerts.

Roglič's home town builds cycling path in his honour

KISOVEC - Hundreds of cycling fans threw a heartfelt welcome for Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in his home town on Thursday, following yet another successful season, crowned with his fourth victory at La Vuelta. The ribbon was cut on a 10-kilometre cycling path and a memorial park named after him, featuring plaques of all his achievements. "This is beyond my imagination, I am very honoured," said the native of Kisovec, a village just west of Zagorje ob Savi.