Morning addresses for Slovenia: Friday, July 1, 2022
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This summary provides STA:
Slovenia will receive almost 286 million euros less in EU recovery grants
LJUBLJANA – Slovenia will receive 1.49 billion euros in grants from the EU’s recovery mechanism, which is almost 286 million euros less than the original allocation, according to calculations by the European Commission. The lower amount is due to more favorable economic developments in 2020 and 2021 than originally estimated. Due to the lower grant allocation, the state will now have to make up the backlog with loans. Even before the latest events, the new government coalition announced that it will strive to use the full range of possible funds by amending the national rehabilitation plan, and has until the end of August 2023. Prime Minister Robert Golob said that the previous government was responsible for has signed an agreement containing provisions to that effect.
Slovenia’s annual inflation accelerated to 10.4% in June.
LJUBLJANA – Annual inflation in Slovenia rose to 10.4% in June, which is 2.3 percentage points more than in May, due to rising prices of petroleum products, food and electricity, the Statistical Office announced. The monthly interest rate was 2.7% and increased by 0.7 percentage points due to higher prices of electricity, holiday packages and food. June’s annual inflation is the highest since July 1996, when it was 10.7%. The last time annual inflation exceeded 10 percent was in September 1997. Prime Minister Robert Golob announced new measures to combat the cost of living crisis, among which could be filmed at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
Slovenia warns NATO not to ignore the Western Balkans
MADRID – Prime Minister Robert Golob has warned NATO not to overlook the Western Balkans, as it is strengthening its presence on its eastern flank as part of a new deterrent and defensive stance. It is important that “we do not overlook our soft sub-region, the Balkans,” he said, noting that this is a region where Slovenia is present and qualified. As part of deterrence and defense, Slovenia is thus ready to “act mainly where it can contribute the most”, he told reporters after the NATO summit in Madrid.
Slovenia wants Croatia to join the Schengen area, but dilemmas remain
MADRID, Spain – Slovenia wants Croatia to enter the Schengen area as soon as possible, but a number of dilemmas need to be resolved, as the Schengen area is not currently operational, Prime Minister Robert Golob said. “Our position is quite clear. Schengen is not working today, that is its main problem. After all, we feel it ourselves on the border with Austria.” “Schengen formally exists, but it is not being implemented,” he said of Austria’s ongoing police controls on the border with Slovenia.
The governor of C-bank says high inflation requires a quick response
LJUBLJANA – Current inflation requires a decisive response from monetary, income and fiscal policy, said Central Bank Governor Boštjan Vasle. Inflation has been driven by the long-term consequences of the covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Vasle said, adding that such circumstances are historically rare. From the point of view of monetary policy, in his opinion, it makes sense to continue the existing path to normalcy, both by completing the purchase of securities and by gradually raising interest rates, which is already being prepared at EU level.
Parliament launches inquiry into funding of “party propaganda in the media”
LJUBLJANA – The National Assembly has launched a parliamentary investigation into suspicions of illegal financing of “party political propaganda in the media by state-owned companies, state institutions or foreign institutions or entities” for media owned or affiliated with the SDS. The investigation, requested by the coalition and covering the period from March 13, 2020 to date, will investigate the suspicion of illegal financing of political parties ’campaigns for the April 24 elections.
Slovenia’s general government deficit narrowed to 3.1% of GDP in the first quarter
LJUBLJANA – In the first quarter, Slovenia recorded a general government deficit of 405 million euros or 3.1 percent of GDP, which is less than half less than in the first quarter of last year, according to the latest data from the Statistical Office. General government revenue increased by 8.3% to EUR 5.65 billion due to an 11.7% increase in tax revenues and social security contributions, which increased by 4.7%. Total expenditure, meanwhile, amounted to EUR 6.05 billion, which is 1.3% less than in the same period last year. Consolidated gross debt amounted to EUR 40.22 billion or 75.1% of GDP, which is EUR 1.37 billion more than at the end of 2021 due to fresh government borrowing.
Fajon and Šarec discuss NATO’s Southern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans
MADRID, Spain – Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon attended a meeting of NATO’s Southern Neighborhood Foreign Ministers on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Alliance’s summit in Madrid. She emphasized the importance of co-operation with partners in the region, especially in view of the changed geopolitical situation, the ministry said. Defense Minister Marjan Šarec, meanwhile, talked with his colleagues about the Western Balkans and emphasized the importance of the region’s Euro-Atlantic perspective, according to a tweet from his ministry.
The director of the NIJZ resigned, appointed acting
LJUBLJANA – Director of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) Milan Krek resigned due to “unbearable political pressure” from the new government. The decision was made after Health Minister Danijel Besic Loredan made it clear that he did not trust Krek to run the highest institution for pandemic measures after a two-year stay in which Krek was often criticized for misrepresenting, inciting fear and respecting government wishes. . The Council of the NIJZ has appointed Branko Gabrovac, who has been with the NIJZ since 2014, as acting director.
Minister, two EU Commissioners support EU action for Ukrainian students
LJUBLJANA – Minister of Education Igor Papič, together with European Commissioners Margaritis Schinas and Maria Gabriel, expressed support for EU measures aimed at helping Ukrainian students, the Ministry of Education announced. The three officials expressed their support in a letter emphasizing that the joint efforts of the European Commission and EU Member States have the same goal of providing education for all students, either in the EU or in Ukraine.
Foreign direct investment in Slovenia increased by 10% last year.
LJUBLJANA – Foreign direct investment in Slovenia amounted to 18.4 billion euros last year, which is 1.7 billion euros or 10.4 percent more than in the same period last year, the central bank announced. Almost a quarter of all foreign direct investment came from Austria, followed by Luxembourg and Switzerland. Last year, 1.1 billion euros of profit was paid out to foreign investors, which is more than a 50% increase compared to 2020. Meanwhile, Slovenian direct investment abroad last year amounted to 7.8 billion euros, which is 11.8% more than in 2020. Companies abroad paid out EUR 175 million in profit to Slovenian owners in 2021, almost double the amount in 2020.
The survey unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in May.
LJUBLJANA – The Slovenian unemployment rate compatible with the ILO was 3.9% in May, which is 0.1 percentage points less than in April and 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period last year, the Statistical Office announced. Their estimate shows that last month there were around 40,000 unemployed in Slovenia. The survey unemployment rate was 3.7% for men and 4.2% for women. The registered unemployment figures in Slovenia are higher, as the number of unemployed fell to around 55,850 in May, the lowest number since 1990.
Nearly 1,000 Covid cases were confirmed on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA – Slovenia confirmed 996 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, which is almost 30% more than last week, as the number of hospitals increased slightly after more than two weeks of rapid growth. The notification rate for 14-day cases was 414, up 25 from yesterday.
A photographic exhibition by Ulija Weber opens at Ljubljana Castle
LJUBLJANA – An exhibition by world-renowned photographer Uli Weber will open at Ljubljana Castle tonight, featuring photographs of horses, celebrities and cars entitled Moments. His work has been featured in some of the most prominent museums around the world, and he is best known for his portraits of celebrities. The exhibition will be on view until 4 September.