Latest News from Slovenia
Maas pledges support to Slovenia’s EU presidency
Berlin – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged Germany’s support to Slovenia during its presidency to the EU Council ahead of his meeting with Slovenia’s Anže Logar in Berlin on Wednesday. He highlighted the importance of the EU’s enlargement to the Western Balkans and the rule of law. Logar thanked him for the support.
Doctors quit Health Ministry task force over medical devices pricing
Ljubljana – Doctors from a group termed zdravstvo.si have left a Health Ministry task force in charge of changing public procurement procedures in healthcare because their proposal to eliminate price anomalies in procurement of medical devices has not been welcomed. They also oppose fees that would have to be paid to the national medical agency.
Janša hosting first debate on future of Europe on Thursday
Ljubljana – Prime Minister Janez Janša will host the first Slovenian debate in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe on Thursday. The aim is to formulate a common vision on what kind of Europe Slovenians want.
Tadej Pogačar going for gold at Tour of Slovenia
Ljubljana – Slovenia’s 22-year-old cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar has confirmed he will be able to race at the Tour of Slovenia, which will take place from 9 to 13 June, as he received the official confirmation from UAE Team Emirates today.
Signatures for waters act referendum delivered to parliament
Ljubljana – A civil initiative opposing the latest changes to the waters act has submitted almost 50,000 signatures in support of its initiative to hold a referendum on the law, which was passed at the end of March. The National Assembly must now meet to formally call a referendum in seven days.
Koper port expects 41 cruise ships this year
Koper – The Koper cruise terminal is expecting 41 cruise ships with around 61,000 passengers this year, out of the initially planned 88 with around 130,000 passengers.
CO2 emission cuts, biodiversity in focus of Slovenian EU presidency’s environment agenda
Brussels – A demanding legislative package to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and biodiversity will be at the core of Slovenia’s EU presidency priorities in the field of environment in the second half of 2021, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak said during his visit to Brussels on Monday.
Almost 500 coronavirus cases logged anew as hospitalisations drop below 400
Ljubljana – A further 497 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Monday and six patients with Covid-19 died as hospitalisations dropped below 400 for the first time in nearly seven months, official data show.
Student self-testing to be launched next week
Ljubljana – Student self-testing will be launched next Monday, but only for some secondary school students for now, Health Minister Janez Poklukar said on Tuesday. Others, including older primary school pupils, could start taking swabs a week later or as soon as possible. Student self-testing remains voluntary and will be conducted at home.
Minister presents Slovenia’s EU presidency priorities in education
Brussels – Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec presented on Monday the priorities of the upcoming Slovenian EU presidency to her EU counterparts as the first Slovenian minister to do so. She said experience related to Covid-19 would be an important topic.
Simoniti talks Slovenia’s EU presidency priorities in culture in Brussels
Brussels – Culture Minister Vasko Simoniti met Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Youth Mariya Gabriel, as he was in Brussels on Monday to attend a session of the EU Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport and to present the priorities in the culture, media and audiovisual sectors during Slovenia’s EU presidency.
Slovenian Ruling Coalition Fails to Secure Parliamentary Majority
After Slovenian MPs failed to approve the agenda for a week-long parliamentary session on Monday, the opposition renewed its call for early elections.
"Calls for parliamentary elections will be more frequent and louder," political scientist Alem Maksuti told BIRN.
Analyst sees parliament’s work hampered by balance of power
Ljubljana – The National Assembly’s failure to endorse the agenda of the plenary needed to go ahead with the session in the first such instance ever is yet another sign of how the current balance of power is hampering parliament’s work, at times making it impossible, an analyst has assessed for the STA.
Brdo-Brijuni summit adopts joint statement at Brdo
Brdo pri Kranju – Having gathered for a summit at Brdo pri Kranju on Monday, the leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process adopted a declaration to reaffirm their commitment to EU enlargement, but failed to reach a consensus to call against changes to borders in the region due to Serbia’s opposition.
Triglav National Park celebrating two key anniversaries
Bled – The sole national park in Slovenia is celebrating 60 years since the Valley of Triglav Lakes was declared the Triglav National Park (TNP), and 40 years since a key law was passed to protect virtually the entire Julian Alps mountain range in the country.