News roundup - Monday, 17 February, until 3pm

President regrets not all EU states invited to Paris meeting on Ukraine war

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar expressed regret that not all EU member states had been invited to participate in a meeting about security in Europe and the war in Ukraine hosted by French President Emanuel Macron. Only a united Europe can be an equal player in international relations, she said, also regretting that "mixed messages are being sent by Europe as regards efforts for peace in Ukraine".

Slovenian, Macedonian ministers discuss boosting defence cooperation

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian and Macedonian defence ministers, Borut Sajovic and Vlado Misajlovski, urged stronger bilateral defence cooperation as Misajlovski paid an official visit to Ljubljana on Monday. Sajovic expressed Slovenia's support for North Macedonia's EU integration, saying it would be a major step towards better security in the region.

Janković refuses to apologise, reiterates his position

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković published a letter in which he responded to the protestors who demanded his apology for backing Serbian President Alseksandar Vučić, reiterating that everyone has the right to their own opinion and that he condemns violence. In the letter, in which he responded to some 1,000 protesters who gathered in front of the Town Hall on 8 February, Janković said that protests are a legitimate right of every individual in a democratic society.

Average gross pay up 4.1% in real terms in 2024

LJUBLJANA - Average monthly pay in Slovenia in 2024 stood at EUR 2,394.92 gross and EUR 1,526.02 net. Gross pay was 6.2% higher year-on-year in nominal terms and 4.1% higher in real terms. Average net pay was 3.8% higher in nominal terms and 1.8% in real terms compared to 2023. In the private sector, average monthly gross pay increased by 7.0%, climbing to EUR 2,280.99. Average net pay in the private sector grew by 4.4% to EUR 1,456.34, the Statistics Office said.

Belektron remains biggest firm owned by entrepreneur

LJUBLJANA - The largest company in Slovenia owned by an entrepreneur by sales revenue is the emission coupons trader Belektron, which generated just under EUR 3.2 billion in 2023, showed a ranking by the business magazine Podjetna Slovenija. The company owned by Boštjan Bandelj has retained this status from the first ever such list, published last year. Belektron is followed in terms of sales revenue by Orbico, an agent for multiple international brands which generated EUR 344.8 million in 2023. Placed third is Jagros, the operator of the retail shops owned by the Jager family with EUR 229.8 million.

Liquidation of RTH mine completed

TRBOVLJE/HRASTNIK - The Trbovlje-Hrastnik coal mine (RTH) has been fully shut down after several years of delays. The mine's remaining assets will be transferred to the state. Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) approved last Tuesday the final liquidation report. The remaining assets will be transferred to the state, SSH said. Liquidator Stane Sotlar will file a proposal to remove RTH from the register of companies, completing the liquidation process that started six years ago.

Mountain Film Festival to feature 32 films

LJUBLJANA - The 19th Mountain Film Festival will open with the screening of Last Expedition, a film portrait of Wanda Rutkiewicz, the greatest woman Himalayan climber of all time by Polish director Eliza Kubarska. The festival will show a selection of the world's latest releases in the genre at screenings in Ljubljana, Domžale and Radovljica until Saturday. It will see a total of 32 climbing, mountaineering and adventure films and films about mountain nature and culture.