Marjan Šarec

Slovenian companies have struck deals with the Defence Ministry to supply anti-aircraft turrets for tanks and a drone with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear surveillance capability. They will also be supported in development of green solutions for the defence sector.

Defence Minister Marjan Šarec and his State Secretary Damir Črnčec have received Ukrainian decorations for their contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and assisting in Ukraine's defence.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovenia Andriy Taran bestowed the Mark of Esteem on Šarec and the Medal for Supporting the Armed Forces on Črnčec on behalf of the Ukrainian Defence ministry.

Slovenia signed a contract with the company Air Tractor Europe S.L. on 17 April for the purchase of four firefighting aircraft. The first two water bombers, two-seater aircraft, are due to arrive in Slovenia in June, just in time before peak fire season, and the other two, single-seaters, next year.

Defence Minister Marjan Šarec announced major investments in the air force fleet as he addressed a ceremony marking Slovenian Military Aviation Day at the Cerklje ob Krki air base on 12 January. The air base is undergoing renovation, which will create new jobs.

Ljubljana – The government’s decision to rescind the Boxer defence deal was not a good one, says Večer on Saturday, noting that Slovenia does not have a long-term strategic reflection on the development of the armed forces.

Brdo pri Kranju – Slovenia will rescind the EUR 281 million agreement on the purchase of 45 Boxer armoured personnel carriers from the OCCAR programme after an audit of the deal was completed, Defence Minister Marjan Šarec announced after Thursday’s cabinet session. The contractual fine could reach as high as EUR 70 million.

Ljubljana – Commenting on Freedom Movement candidate Marta Kos withdrawing from the presidential race, the weekly Mladina suggests the party’s campaign was ill-timed, warning that small defeats had also done in former prime ministers Marjan Šarec and Miro Cerar.

Ljubljana – Public Administration Minister Sanja Ajanović Hovnik commented on Thursday on the dismissal of Bojan Babič as the director of the Ljubljana administrative unit, saying the decision had not been politically motivated. Babič agrees and will not appeal, as this would not suspend his dismissal, and a deputy head has already been appointed.

Ljubljana – The latest Mladina editorial says Janšism is the main problem of Slovenian society and of any government that tries to oppose it, adding that PM Robert Golob does not have a single political heavyweight by his side who has already fought political battles with his predecessor Janez Janša. The coalition should take initiative, it notes.

Ljubljana – The government has approved motions for Slovenia to sign the NATO accession protocols of Sweden and Finland. A session of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee has been called for tomorrow morning to discuss the two motions.