Morning headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
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This summary provides STA:
Slovenia condemns Russia’s conduct in Ukraine
LJUBLJANA – Slovenian representatives unanimously condemned Russia’s recognition of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as a clear violation of international law. Prime Minister Janez Jansa called on the EU to offer Ukraine full membership, and Defense Minister Matej Tonin said that the top government agreed that Slovenia was ready to support the country’s EU membership and increase the presence of its troops in eastern NATO member states. President Borut Pahor met with Janša and agreed that the recognition was a serious violation of international law and a serious encroachment on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. FM Anže Logar said that “now we are left with only a set of bad options”.
Pahor should apologize to the erased
LJUBLJANA – President Borut Pahor will officially apologize on Friday, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the erasure, to 25,671 people who were illegally erased from the register of permanent residents of Slovenia on 26 February 1992. The President’s decision was welcomed by Amnesty International (AI) Slovenia and the Civil Society of Erased Activists. “Since the founding of our association, apologizing to the state has been one of our priorities,” said the association’s president Irfan Beširević.
Parliament has approved a package to help with the energy crisis
LJUBLJANA – The National Assembly overwhelmingly approved the government’s package for mitigating the impact of high energy prices, which stipulates that legal or natural persons with a registered activity in Slovenia by 1 December 2021, whose energy costs will increase by 2022 more than 40 percent compared to 2021 will be eligible for state aid. The emphasis is mainly on helping households and citizens – the package provides for a one-off payment for approximately 710,000 Slovenes, equalizes the rights of all household customers and introduces a three-month exemption from contributions and network fees.
The government is sending aid to Ukraine and Madagascar
LJUBLJANA – On Monday, the government approved material aid to Ukraine and Madagascar and a donation of Covid-19 vaccines to Namibia and COVAX. Slovenia will send 163,000 euros worth of sleeping bags, rubber boots, diesel generators, gloves and face masks to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in response to the state’s call for help. Slovenia will also send 25,000 euros in aid to help Madagascar, which has been hit by tropical cyclone Batsiral.
Analysts say Russia is considering joining separatist regions
LJUBLJANA – After Russia recognized the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent, two analysts said that the most likely scenario would be the annexation of both regions, following the example of Crimea. is unlikely. They do not expect any European country to decide to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a military conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Ljubljana, Maribor Barracks will be renovated for 130 million euros
LJUBLJANA – The Ministry of Defense has announced plans to renovate several barracks, with the costs of renovating the Edvard Peperk Barracks in Ljubljana and the General Rudolf Maister Barracks in Maribor estimated at 130 million euros. The aim is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, their functionality and working conditions. New logistics facilities for warehouses, new workshops and garages, and educational infrastructure are also planned. Part of the funding will come from EU cohesion funds.
Deputies supported the bill to increase work after retirement
LJUBLJANA – Deputies supported a government-backed law temporarily increasing the amount of temporary or casual work available to retirees to help recover the labor market after Covid-19, which the government said would help alleviate labor shortages . The law was drafted taking into account the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus infections in recent months, which has led to a large shortage of staff due to sick leave or quarantine. Opposition lawmakers say the solution comes too late.
The National Assembly adopted amendments to the Border Control Act
LJUBLJANA – The National Assembly approved amendments to the law on state border control, which bring 2.5 million euros in aid to border municipalities to cover the costs they have due to increased border control by police and soldiers to prevent illegal migration. Eligible costs include the costs of renovation and maintenance of municipal roads and public paths, which are exposed to additional pressures due to increased control of the state border.
Fracking’s amendments are in first reading in parliament
LJUBLJANA – Amendments to the Mining Act, supported by the government, which would allow hydraulic fracturing of small quantities and also prohibit the fracturing of large quantities, have passed the first reading in parliament. The Ministry of Infrastructure has announced that a complete ban on fracking is being prepared, but the opposition is distrustful and intends to do so itself. The latest debate on fracking comes after five fruitless attempts by the opposition to ban fracking in Slovenia altogether.
Hojs emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to migration
VIENNA, Austria – Interior Minister Aleš Hojs attended a ministerial conference on migration, stressing that “effective management of migration flows requires a unified approach and enhanced cooperation with regional partners”. “The effective and rapid return of persons who have not applied for international protection or are not entitled to international protection is also an integral part of a successful and fair migration policy,” Hoys said. He called for the establishment of a sustainable system at the regional level, based on solidarity and mutual assistance, the interior ministry said.
The Hungarian MEP failed in his appeal for breach of dual office
LJUBLJANA – Hungarian minority MP Ferenc Horvath will have to pay a fine of 1,000 euros after the district and higher courts confirmed the position of the anti-corruption guard that it violates the incompatibility of dual functions, as it also performs a function. head of a minority organization. Horvath told STA that he would use all legal means at his disposal to prove that he was right and, if necessary, refer the case to the “European Court”.
The number of new Covid cases fell by almost 70% in one week.
LJUBLJANA – The number of new cases of coronavirus in Slovenia decreased from more than 7,000 to more than 2,000 in a week, and a total of 2,265 positive cases were confirmed on Monday. Another 14 people died with Covid-19 as hospitalizations decreased slightly, 96 of them were treated for Covid in intensive care. According to official figures, the 7-day average of new daily cases fell by 689 to 3,330 and the 14-day reporting rate per 100,000 by 421 to 3,355.
MEPs again amended the law on investment promotion
LJUBLJANA – The National Assembly unanimously adopted amendments to the Investment Promotion Act, which are aimed at raising the productivity of the Slovenian economy and living standards. According to State Secretary at the Ministry of the Economy Simon Zajc, the latest amendments to the law, which was last amended in mid-December 2021, pursue three goals – to facilitate companies’ adaptation to digital and green transition, promote competitiveness and encourage investment in research. , development and innovation.
Logar calls for cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific
PARIS – Foreign Minister Anže Logar attended the first ministerial forum on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, organized by the French EU presidency, stressing the importance of good and sustainable integration between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, and holding two bilateral meetings. In the debate on connectivity and digital issues, Logar emphasized the importance of high-quality and sustainable connectivity between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, taking into account the global perspective and situation.
Carmaker Revoz will cut production prematurely by a month
NOVO MESTO – Revoz, the Slovenian subsidiary of Renault, which reduced production to one and a half shifts last November and then announced a further reduction in January for April, will switch to the announced single shift a month earlier. As supply problems continue in the global semiconductor market, Revoz will switch to single-shift work on Monday, 28 February. Management said all five working days last week were actually out of work and there are no signs that the situation is improving.
Business sentiment remains optimistic
LJUBLJANA – According to the latest data from the Statistical Office, the business mood in Slovenia is improving, with the indicator rising by 1.2 percentage points in a month and by 10.1 percentage points in a year, reaching 6.8 percentage points in February. Year-on-year, the mood improved the most in services (+5.5 points), followed by manufacturing (+2.2 points), retail sales (+1.6 points) and construction (+0.9 points).
Parliament adopted a resolution on the 2022-2029 cultural program
LJUBLJANA – The National Assembly adopted a resolution on the 2022-2029 national cultural program, which the government believes should promote Slovenian culture as an important social factor and a value that enables creative potential while developing respect for the achievements of the Slovenian nation. The coalition expressed support for the strategic document, which comes after the last of its kind in 2017, and was opposed by the center-left opposition, saying it did not offer a solution to the status quo in this area.
A preliminary report of the balloon accident shows a sudden change in wind
LJUBLJANA – A preliminary report on the investigation into a balloon accident in Ljubljansko barje in January, in which four people were injured, one Slovenian and three Belgian citizens, shows that the forced landing was the result of a sudden change in the wind. . According to the report, a strong westerly to south-westerly wind was blowing in the area at the time of the accident, which reached an average speed of 40 kilometers per hour and over 50 km / h at an altitude of around 500 meters.
A flamenco festival is starting in Cankarjev dom
LJUBLJANA – The third biennial international festival Flamenco Bi Flamenco starts tonight at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana with a screening of the documentary film The Flamenco Clan – Herencia flamenco (2005) by Michael Meert, which presents the history and heritage of flamenco dance. The film will feature Pepe Habichuela, the leader of the Carmen flamenco clan, and a concert and debate after the screening. He will be joined by nephew Josemi on guitar and percussionist Bandolero.