News roundup - Friday, 18 October

*PM Golob to meet US President Biden in Washington next week

WASHINGTON, US/LJUBLJANA - US President Joe Biden wil receive PM Robert Golob for a bilateral visit in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, the White House announced. The main purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Slovenia and the US, which share common values, historical friendship, strategic partnership and are allies in NATO, Golob's office said. Over the past two years, Golob and Biden have met on several occasions on the sidelines of multilateral events, while Slovenia was one of the key countries in the recent historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia. Biden thanked Golob on several occasions for his role in it. This will be the first bilateral visit by a Slovenian prime minister to the US president in 18 years, since Janez Janša visited George W. Bush in 2006.

Slovenian and Luxembourg ministers call for faster implementation of migration pact

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar discussed migration with his Luxembourg counterpart Leon Gloden, with the pair agreeing that certain procedures regarding the EU pact on migration should be sped up. Poklukar said it was not clear yet whether Slovenia would 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.

Defence minister calls for coordinated approach to W Balkans

BRUSSELS, Belgium - At his first NATO ministerial, Defence Minister Borut Sajovic stressed the importance of discussing NATO's international missions and operations, in particular the KFOR mission in Kosovo, which has some critical shortcomings. He also stressed the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to the Western Balkans region, both within the alliance and through cooperation with the EU, the Defence Ministry said. The new Slovenian defence minister also stressed the importance of deterrence and defence of the alliance, and reiterated Slovenia's commitment to increase defence spending.

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.

Govt and car industry execs agree on efforts to get more funds

LJUBLJANA - Meeting in Ljubljana, government and car industry representatives agreed on measures to help the sector weather a potential crisis and achieve the necessary innovation breakthrough. They plan to come up with a way to double the EUR 200 million funds intended for a green mobility initiative, and work on geographical diversification measures, so that the sector would be less dependent on European car manufacturers. Measures aimed at cutting red tape were highlighted as well.

Fajon meets with representatives of Slovenian minority in Italy

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon meet with the representatives of the Slovenian minority in Italy as part of preparations for an upcoming Slovenian-Italian ministerial. They discussed the issues of the minority's political representation at national and regional levels in Italy, and some education issues. The meeting was held in the run-up to the next meeting of the Slovenia-Italy Coordination Committee of Ministers, which will be held in Slovenia on 28 October. The last such meeting took place in 2021.

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.

MP Logar exits SDS deputy group

LJUBLJANA - A good week after MP Anže Logar, a former foreign minister, left the opposition Democratic Party (SDS), he also quit the SDS deputy group. He plans to serve as an unaffiliated MP until he founds his new party, which he plans to do by the end of the year, and possibly a new deputy group. Another prominent SDS member, Eva Irgl, left the SDS earlier this week, and MP Dejan Kaloh will announce his decision on Saturday, according to information obtained by the STA.

Delo poll: Logar's most popular among parties in the making

LJUBLJANA - As several political parties are currently forming to contest the next general election, a poll commissioned by Delo shows that former Foreign Minister Anže Logar's planned party would be the most popular new party, enjoying 30% support. His is followed at 21% by a potential political project of MEP Vladimir Prebilič, currently the face of the green party Vesna. On the other hand, the least popular among the voters would be a party announced by former DeSUS leader Karl Erjavec (7%).

TEŠ to get over EUR 830m for Šalek district heating until 2029

LJUBLJANA - The government sent into public consultation until 27 October a draft emergency bill under which heating would be provided for the Šalek Valley with operational changes at the TEŠ power station until a substitute district heating source is established for two municipalities in the region, as TEŠ is about to be closed because of losses it makes due to high coupon prices. The temporary regime will be in place until the end of 2029, and TEŠ will receive EUR 833 million in compensation from the state in this period.

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).

RTV accused of censorship for cancelling interview with anti-abortion activist

LJUBLJANA - Public broadcaster RTV Slovenija has been criticised in recent days by conservative NGOs, parties and media for not allowing its journalist Jože Možina to interview anti-abortion activist Urša Cankar Soares, who has recently organised three rallies. TV Slovenija was thus accused of censorship and Polona Fijavž, editor-in-chief of news programmes at TV Slovenija, urged to step down or be dismissed. The broadcaster now explained the format of interview is not fit for controversial topics as it does not allow for exchange of different views.

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, 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 would get less than it was 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.

Slovenian, Croatian public broadcasters sign cooperation agreement

LJUBLJANA - RTV Slovenija, the country's public broadcaster, and Croatia's public broadcaster HRT signed a cooperation agreement as senior HRT officials visited RTV Slovenija. The Slovenian broadcaster's chairwoman Natalija Gorščak met with HRT director general Robert Šveb and head of HRT international department Ana Blažević to discuss opportunities for cooperation in all areas of public service, RTV Slovenija said in a press release. The agreement is in line with Gorščak's announcement to seek different forms of cooperation in an effort to optimise and modernise work processes at RTV Slovenija.

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 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 it should be clear in a year and 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, an Interior Ministry state secretary and 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) opened 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 opened today in the Slovenian capital. It will feature 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, which features 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.