Slovenian Press Agency

[Slovenia (Antler)]

The Slovenian Press Agency (Slovene: Slovenska tiskovna agencija) (STA), established in 1991, is a national press agency covering domestic and international events. It was established and is owned by the Republic of Slovenia.

STA news services (the General News Service in Slovene, the daily English Service, the Picture Service and a specialized Radio Service) are relied on every day by state institutions, corporations, embassies and other users. The STA is the only provider of daily news in English for the expatriate community in Slovenia and for English-speaking readers abroad.

Speed, objectivity and credibility are the guiding principles in STA reporting. With over 100 full-time employees and part-time contributors based in Ljubljana, and a network of correspondents in major cities across Slovenia as well as in Brussels, New York, Zagreb, Rome, Klagenfurt, Trieste and Gorizia, the STA provides comprehensive coverage of events in Slovenia and around the world. The agency exchanges news wires with leading press agencies from around the world and taps into multiple other foreign sources of news.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

3q2013: Mercator Announces Domestic Expansion Plans

Slovenia’s leading grocery chain, and one of the nation’s most prosperous brands with stores around the Balkans, looks set to take action following the governments generous reforms to the corporate tax system aimed at benefit domestic investment Mercator has agree to fund thirteen new stores, three inner city express stores in areas currently undergoing urban renewal to promote further investment and to improve their liveability and ten standard supermarkets which will be built in smaller urban areas across the nation currently undergoing development as the population spreads out, especially into areas redeveloped over former battlegrounds and the like.

Mercator’s Managing Director believes that the brand can capture over fifty per cent of the domestic market share and also believes that expansion is the way to go in countries like Serbia and Croatia. Consideration has also been given for exploring options within the neighbouring Greece and Italy where Balkans style basic food and smart shopping could appeal to the recession hit country. Test stores are likely to crop up in the not too distant future.

Within Slovenia around 74% of own brand products and a substantial number of branded products are sourced locally with many of these products exported to stores in other countries providing a key economic stimulus to the food sector. On the announcement the companies share prices were up 2% with the overall Stock Market ending on a high.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

3q2012: Continued concerns over illegal fishing.

As the ascension of Croatia and an extension of the EU Common Fisheries Policy is included for the Adriatic Sea the topic of overfishing within the Sea has again been a heated topic of debate. Two-hundred and fifty species of fish live in the Adriatic Sea, including one-hundred and twenty species threatened by excessive commercial fishing, a problem exacerbated by pollution and global warming. Whilst it is nominally recognised that Italian fishermen are the problem, generally known for their border hoping into the neighbouring Eastern States where patrols are less strenuous, additional concerns have been made with Croatian fishermen beginning to scout out nearby waters should the new policy be rigorously enforced in Croatia by reinforcements from Brussels.

One such group were not so lucky on this occasion when they were intercepted by the naval flagship Triglav with their nets indulging in the Slovenian fish. Unable to escape they were immediately detained and investigated where it was confirmed that they did not have a legitimate fishing permit for Slovenia, had faulty radio equipment, untrained nor registered crew and were using illicit equipment which had resulted in several turtles being caught in the nets. Whilst two were rescued several were found to have already died.

Their vessel was promptly towed back to the coast where the fish was confiscated and sold in aid of charity, as per government policy, and the vessel impounded by the Navy. The Captain and his five crew members are expected to appear in court on Monday with several fisheries supporters likely to protest and the event calling for tough sentences for these criminals. If they are convicted they will be held in Slovenian gaols for approximately six months before being eligible for transfer to Croatia, by which time the new extradition and custody arrangements will have been introduced due to its EU ascension.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

3q2012: Slovenia 4-0 Romania

Stožice Stadium came alive overnight in an international friendly against Romania. With the upcoming season in Europe only a week away few of the team’s international stars were available but those who were made their mark. On only his fourteenth cap young striker Tim Matavž notched in an impressive hat trick, his second for the national side and one of the few ever scored by the Slovenian national team bringing back many memories from two years ago when he kicked off his international career, this puts his overall total up to ten and places him joint sixth on the goal scorers table. Besides Matavž the goal scoring fell to debutant defender Mitja Viler of Maribor who thundered in a header just after half time.

The team continued their play well in both halves throughout the game, Viler joining with fellow defenders; Gregor Balažic and Andraž Struna, who also deputised, the veteran Matej Mavrič and fellow Maribor team mate Jasmin Handanović in goal, to keep out the Romanian attack in a truly attacking game where both teams had plenty of chances, Costin Curelea coming closest for the visitors having his shot knocked off the line by Struna.

The game’s attendance peaked the ten thousand mark in the state of the art stadium showing promise for future games after shaky support in the past, the holiday timing and local rivalry though were attributed as the primary sources of the fan base. Coming up for the rest of the year are World Cup Qualifiers against Switzerland, Cyprus and Iceland as well as Norway and Albania all at home with further friendlies, likely away, to be scheduled.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

3q2012: Slovenian Military Expansion Plans Continue

The formal release of the 2012 Defence White Paper has occurred at government house this afternoon in a joint meeting attended by the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Chief of the Defence Forces, NATO Ambassador and other key figures. Although much of the report had leaked in the press beforehand the formal announcement symbolises that the program is now well under way and that full approval will have been received from the budgetary bodies to go ahead with such procurement.

Firstly there was the confirmation that the nation would accept the two ordered and funded CASA C-295M transport aircraft from Airbus following a delay caused by serious failings in units operated by other states. The Slovenian units are the military transport version, these have a capacity for 73 troops, 48 paratroops, 27 stretchers, five 2.24 × 2.74 m (88 × 108 inches) pallets or three light vehicles. The inclusion of these aircraft will greatly boost the transport and therefore projection capabilities of the military, both units are expected to be delivered next year and will receive operation capabilities by the year’s end.

The primary procurement aspects including orders of one hundred new light armoured cars for the Ground Army, aimed at boosting the force’s peacekeeping credentials as a greater role is planned in United Nations missions abroad. These are of the Italian-British Iveco LMV design and have been well proven in theatres such as Afghanistan, the units will replace the mixed HMMWV assets in frontline service with the latter being designated for support and training functions. The induction of new Army small arms and infantry soldier equipment will continue to further the increase in capability and adoption of NATO standards by the force.

In addition to the Air Force’s two new transport jets the force will receive fourteen other aircraft, four jet trainers and twenty basic trainers, all from Italy to augment its current fleet and give it some real capacity. Although primarily designed for training the jet aircraft will have some light attack capabilities and are considered a key stepping stone towards true light fighters. The basic trainers will greatly support the greater capacity of pilot training required by these additions and will also fill secondary rolls such as in display teams.

As a final order the Navy will receive two new vessels over the 2014/5 period. One will be a newer patrol vessel from Austal which will offer a phenomenal range increase and will serve as an admirable partner to the current flagship the Triglav. Designed with patrolling and not combat in mind unlike its Russian compatriot it will offer a much easier operational capability handling fishing disputes and other routine border issues, it does however retain a light 25mm gun to fend off any attackers if required. The range of this vessel will also support regional deployments. The second vessel will offer the Navy’s first real step into the open world and will provide a useful mine hunting capability which will almost definitely lead to deployments amongst Standing NATO mine countermeasures unit. The vessel will be built by Intermarine SpA to its long standing proven design already adopted by not only Italy but nations such as the United States, Australia and recently Finland.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

1q2013: Economy Down Leading into New Year

Whilst the consumer sector may have held its own supported by fairly consistent spending in the shops the continuing struggles of the economic sector, plagued by the Euro Crisis. Although Slovenia is neither a major contributor to the bailouts nor a recipient of them confidence in the nation is still low and this will likely be the case until those in the remainder of the EU start buying again to fuel the export-led Slovenian economy.

Some though are unconvinced that this will happen on time before the side-affects of this sector beginning to stagnate are felt with many pressing for the Slovenian Government to go bold and target the world outside of Europe, some are even suggesting that goods be targeted at the redeveloping North Africa although Israel, a known trading partner of Eastern Europe, has also been touted. Connections though are difficult and with limited air services, no major shipping firms and a continued reliance on the conventional truck the ability to do such trade is rather limited and it is obvious that unless their hand is forced the government will not be putting their hand into their pocket.

Areas of key concern though will still be the falling wages nationwide in the private sector, and in several public sector fields, against the rising prices of the few imported consumer items. How the government responds will have to be seen.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

1q2013: Gorenje looking out of Europe

With 4% of the European market as one of the big-eight in white goods, Gorenje has a clearly defined position of one of the greats in Slovenian business. With its multi-award winning SensorIQ generations of washers and dryers now fast becoming a standard the company’s directors have turned their sights to even further abroad. The brand believes that it can combine its strong reputation, quality European construction and famed reliability into a brand that will sell along North Africa with the company saying that it would ideally like to have operations across Continental Europe, Eastern Europe and the Arabian World running independently profitable within five years.

It is unsure exactly how many of the eighty odd companies that form the group will be involved in this although he company has stated that it will stay true to its origins in Slovenia where large amounts of its goods are still produced under twenty or so subsidiary firms. Ideally the company hopes to expand its workforce to up to 15, 000 with anywhere between forty and sixty per cent of those based in Slovenia.

Meanwhile in the remainder of the manufacturing industry car production for Renault remains steady as does the large scale component construction for firms like Skoda. Despite fears that production may either be consolidated at home, in Renault’s case, or pushed off the India, in Skoda’s, this so far does not seem to be the case and both brands retain the vocal point in the domestic market which has seen some increased interest, although Fiat’s sales were down.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

1q2013: Improving the Transport of Slovenia

In a time where money is in short supply and so are votes the Government has decided to make a surprisingly large investment in the future of Slovenia’s transport network in an effort to stimulate some economic growth. Whilst many have labelled it a reckless move by Jansa in an attempt to recover some public support for his government others believe that this is the chance they have so desperately desired and have called upon businesses to leap at the opportunity. Many smaller groups have been calling for some form of stimulus as a kick start endeavour.

First on the agenda will be air transport with the Government utilising the state owned Adria Airways to expand its domestic and close regional services. The recently redeveloped Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport will receive the initial new services although the real work will come on the Croatian border where the Portorož Airport will receive the funding it has long desired for its major upgrade allowing it to encompass international flights of larger aircraft. The government has promised that all developments will include the usage of local contractors and is already putting out several tenders, it is believed the airport redevelopment could secure up to two thousand jobs over the two year initial development period with half sustained up to the four year mark. This will be followed by support for the new logistics centre and train station at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport which will hopefully stimulate long term development. At both of the other airports post-development plans for the tourism industry, likely to benefit the most from these improvements, are already being discussed but are unlikely to be confirmed until the government starts receiving returns from their investment.

Adria Airways itself which has struggled to recoup numbers in recent years will receive a significant investment. The three older Airbus aircraft will be replaced with four new A319neo units, with a capacity for one-hundred and twenty one passengers in two classes, alongside five small CRJ 200 jets, with a fifty passenger capacity, which will serve on the new domestic routes and as shuttles within the immediate vicinity. It is hoped by refocusing on clearly defined business, shuttle and tourist routes the airlines numbers will pick up again. As it stands the airline employs just shy of five hundred individuals with long term planning by the government calling for an increase to six-hundred over the coming years, all funded by the airline’s operations.

For maritime transport again a review is to be held at to the possibility of dredging the Port of Koper to improve its credentials as a port. In addition the lack of a domestic Slovenian shipping firm that actually operates within the nation is again of discussion with some suggesting that the government consider state-involvement, recognising the respect for nationalised firms in the nation, any such agreement unless part-part with a willing supplier, of which none have come forth, is unlikely at the present time though.

The Slovenian Railway network is unlikely to receive any additional funding as part of this program at this time; increased works may however be viable as more people in commuter areas switch to the services due to the rising prices of fuel.

[Slovenia (Antler)]

Q32013: A Dark Future for Europe

As the major capitals of Europe face the sparks of rioting and the rise of eurosceptism, the Italians accept their inevitable failings with the aim to reject reform and reappoint Berlusconi to high office and still no sign of financial security it seems that the continents united future is far from secure. In Slovenia the past year has been dedicated almost exclusively to moving the nation away from European dominance but with the Euro still the certified currency many will wonder how these measures will protect the nation’s interests. All that can be known is that as these movements grow the murmurs in Slovenia will only follow and it is likely that soon the assembly will have to state their views.