Latest News from Slovenia
Ministry presents draft strategic plan for new CAP
Ljubljana – Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek presented on Friday Slovenia’s draft strategic plan for the new Common Agricultural Policy in what the ministry says in an ambitious document that involves measures worth EUR 1.2 billion. A quarter of the funds in direct payments is intended for the green component.
Pahor makes case for rapid EU enlargement to Western Balkans
Ohrid – President Borut Pahor made a case for the EU’s rapid enlargement to Western Balkans as he addressed the Prespa Forum Dialogue on Friday, arguing that this was in the interest of the EU and would strengthen the bloc as well as the region.
The president said continued enlargement was instrumental to the stability and prosperity of Western Balkans.
Croatian regulators approve Petrol’s takeover of Crodux, Iskra’s takeover of Elka
Zagreb – The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) has given Slovenia’s energy company Petrol a green light on the takeover of Croatian petroleum products seller Crodux as well as authorised the Iskra electronics group to acquire Croatian electric cable manufacturer Elka.
Slovenia’s Pogačar takes overall lead at Tour de France
Annecy – Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar has taken the overall lead at Tour de France after an individual attack that secured him the forth place in the 150.8-km, eight stage of the prestigious race from Oyonnax to Le Grand-Bornand on Saturday.
Slovenia’s Mohorič wins 7th stage of Tour de France
Chalon sur Saone – Slovenia’s Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) won stage 7 of the Tour de France from La Vierzon to Le Creusot on Friday and took the polka dot jersey for the best climber. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) lost some ground.
Tennis: Raluca Olaru qualifies for round of 16 of doubles event at Wimbledon
The Romanian-Ukrainian pair Raluca Olaru/Nadiia Kichenok on Friday qualified for the round of 16 of the women's doubles event at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the third Grand Slam of the year, after defeating 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in front of the pair Sabrina Santamaria (USA)/Tamara Zidansek (Slovenia). Olaru and Kichenok, seeds no.
Tennis: Andreea Mitu and Monica Niculescu advance to Wimbledon ladies' doubles second round
Romanian tennis players Andreea Mitu and Monica Niculescu qualified for the second round of ladies' doubles event at Wimbledon, the third Gland Slam of the year, as they defeated Nicole Melichar (US) and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) 6-2, 6-3. Mitu and Niculescu managed a remarkable victory, in one hour and 23 minutes, against the fourth seeded pair.
Janša, von der Leyen discuss rule of law
Brdo pri Kranju – Rule of law was one of the main topics discussed during Thursday’s visit by the College of Commissioners. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was important to always respect the rule of law and European values. Prime Minister Janez Janša said that in a rule of law, final decisions are in the hands of courts.
Post-covid recovery front-and-centre of Slovenian presidency
Brdo pri Kranju – Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the EU’s post-covid recovery as a major issue that Slovenia’s EU presidency will deal with as they addressed reporters at the outset of the country’s six-month stint at the helm of the bloc.
EU enlargement a response to strategic challenges, says Janša
Brdo pri Kranju – EU enlargement is one of Slovenian EU presidency priorities and a response to strategic challenges, Prime Minister Janez Janša told Thursday’s press conference after a meeting between the government and the EU Commission delegation marking the start of the presidency stint. Slovenia will host an EU-Western Balkans summit in October.
Von der Leyen expects STA financing to be sorted out
Brdo pri Kranju – Media freedom was one of the topics that the College of Commissioners discussed Thursday as they met the government at the outset of Slovenia’s presidency of the EU. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expects that Slovenia will swiftly sort out the financing of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and ensure its independence.
EU Commission endorses Slovenia’s recovery plan
Brussels – The European Commission endorsed on Thursday Slovenia’s EUR 2.5 billion national recovery and resilience plan. Pending confirmation by member states, Slovenia will be able to draw EUR 1.8 billion in grants and EUR 705 million in loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
Slovenia turns fully green on latest ECDC Covid-19 map
Stockholm – As of Thursday, Slovenia is fully green on the map of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as the western part of the country joined the eastern part, which made it to the green list last week.
Conference on innovation highlights importance of cooperation
Ljubljana – Cooperation is the key to boosting innovation, agreed the participants at the Pan-European Innovation Ecosystem international conference, organised at the start of Slovenia’s EU presidency. There were also calls for cooperation between businesses and academia.
Slovenia reports 23 new coronavirus cases for Wednesday
Ljubljana – A total of 23 new coronavirus infections were confirmed in Slovenia on Wednesday in 1,623 PCR tests, the National Institute for Public Health (NIJZ) has announced. Both the 7-day average of new cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population currently stand at 25.