News roundup - Wednesday, 29 January
Ljubljana, 29 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Wednesday, 29 January:
Pirc Musar says Slovenia apprehensive about future Austrian government
VIENNA, Austria - President Nataša Pirc Musar said Slovenia was observing coalition talks between the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and People's Party (ÖVP) "with apprehension". "I hope the new government understands what the EU means and what its values are." She also called for stronger efforts to protect the Slovenian minority in Austria, including in education.
Pirc Musar discuses minority issues with Van der Bellen
VIENNA, Austria - Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar met her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen while visiting Vienna. The presidents stressed the commitment to the continued strengthening of relations between Slovenia and Austria, especially in areas where there is a shared interest, Pirc Musar's office said. Pirc Musar also visited the seat of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and attended the opening of an extensive exhibition of Slovenian artists in at the Belvedere Museum.
Slovenia critical of Rwanda at UN Security Council session
NEW YORK, US - Slovenia was critical of Rwanda at a session of the UN Security Council on Tuesday at which the US and China urged the country to stop supporting the Congolese Tutsi-led, Rwandan-backed rebel military group M23, which has occupied a large part of the city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Agriculture reform unveiled, agro chamber not on board
LJUBLJANA - The Agriculture Ministry unveiled an extensive legislative package aimed at modernising farming practices, boosting food security, and protecting agricultural land. The provisions notably increase the costs of building on farm land and strip the Agricultural and Forestry Chamber (KGZS) of its advisory service and part of its funding. The seven bills have been submitted for public consultation this week.
Energy regulator considering tweaking network charge system
LJUBLJANA - The Energy Agency is thinking about tweaking the new system of electricity network charges, senior agency official David Batič said in the aftermath of harsh criticism about the system being too complex and causing some people's bills to skyrocket. Having analysed preliminary data on the effects of the new system, the agency is analysing the option of reducing the number of time bands and changing the way billed capacity is calculated, he said.
Experts argue against proposed real estate tax
LJUBLJANA - Representatives of associations of real estate managers and owners expressed opposition to the government plans for imposing a new tax on real estate. They believe the legislative proposal could breach the constitution and the principle of equality before law. They also think the planned tax rates are too high. Among those forwarding remarks are also the real estate division of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS), the FIABCI real estate association and the Association of Real Estate Owners, who deem the blueprint unsuitable for further debate.
Independent MP Kaloh to start his own party in June
LJUBLJANA - Dejan Kaloh, a former member of the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) who is now an unaffiliated MP, became the latest addition to the group of politicians who decided to start their own party ahead of next year's general election. Promoting "the traditional values", the new party will be founded on Statehood Day, 25 June.
Slovenian gene sequencing project step towards personalised healthcare
LJUBLJANA - The Paediatrics Clinic at the UKC Ljubljana hospital launched a gene sequencing project with the aim of personalizing healthcare. The researchers will look into genomes of healthy adults to find risks that could be treated and to develop a Slovenian reference genome. In the coming months genomes of 500 healthy adults will be checked for risks that can be treated. The Maribor University has developed an AI tool for this purpose.
Slovenian painting from 1848-1918 on show in Vienna
VIENNA, Austria - The World in Colours, an exhibition showcasing masterpieces of Slovenian painting from 1848 to 1918, opened at Vienna's Belvedere Museum in collaboration with the National Gallery of Slovenia. Running until 26 May, it will feature 132 works in a concept focusing on colour composition and dialogue between Vienna and Ljubljana.
Maribor welcomes exhibition on build-up of Slovenia's military
MARIBOR - A new permanent exhibition on Slovenia's independence efforts and build-up of its military opened at the Military Museum of the Slovenian Armed Forces. The interactive exhibition A Dream Come True - the Path to an Independent Slovenia and its Armed Forces was in the making for roughly two years and examines the military history of the area that is present-day Slovenia.
Regional theatre festival visiting Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - City theatres from six countries of the former Yugoslavia will stage their productions in Ljubljana as part of the annual regional travelling theatre festival Ruta that got under way today. Hosted by the Ljubljana City Theatre (MGL), the festival is the product of collaboration agreed in 2019 by six theatre companies from the former Yugoslavia.
Show on military exploitation of airspace opens in Cukrarna
LJUBLJANA - An exhibition by Danish-Scottish artist Shona Illingworth opened in Cukrarna gallery to explore the impact of the accelerating military, industrial and corporate transformations of airspace and outer space, environmental degradation and their implications for human rights.
Gorizia-Nova Gorica to host jubilee congress of Italy's art cinema network
GORIZIA, Italy - Gorizia and Nova Gorica will host the 25th meeting of Italy's art cinema network from 30 September to 3 October. Part of the European Capital of Culture 2025 (EPK), the event will have a more international dimension, featuring a showcase of Slovenian production and a meeting between the art cinema networks of both countries in Ljubljana.