The International Investor Conference “Building Financial Futures: Promoting Shareholder Engagement and Financial Literacy” has just commenced in Milan. Organized by the World Federation of Investors (WFI) in collaboration with the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users (BETTER FINANCE) and the Italian association New Savers, this annual event is now available for live viewing via the BETTER FINANCE YouTube channel – LIVE VIDEO: www.youtube.com/live/Cbq7zGUz6dQ.

Today the "ESAs Consumer Protection Day" joint conference is taking place at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Hungary in Budapest. The event is being jointly organized for the 11th time by the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). This year's theme is "Fair access to the future of financial services." The conference was opened by ESMA Chair, Verena Ross, and Vice Governor of the Central Bank of Hungary, Csaba Kandrács. Following the opening remarks, panel discussions and presentations are focused on artificial intelligence in the financial sector, empowering consumers in the digital age, improving accessibility and user experience of financial services, and ensuring a stable regulatory framework that benefits consumers.

Last Thursday, a full-day meeting of the Financial Services User Group (FSUG) at the European Commission took place, attended also by the President of VZMD, Mr. Kristjan Verbič. Among other topics, the members discussed letters and guidelines from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the candidate for European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Ms. Maria Luis Albuquerque, as well as to the candidate for European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law, Mr. Michael McGrath. They also addressed proposals and comments related to the EU Regulation on Sustainability-Related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector (SFDR), the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD), the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD), and the Shareholder Rights Directive.

The 56th International Trade Fair (MOS) kicked off on Wednesday with the economic forum "Connected for the Future of Slovenia" and will run until Sunday. The event was officially opened by the Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sport, Matjaž Han, who engaged in a lively debate with the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS), Tibor Šimonka. In the opening discussion, the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities, Luka Mesec, and the President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia (OZS), Blaž Cvar, also presented their views and positions. In addition to the fair itself, which comprises five segments - MOS HOME, MOS TECHNOLOGY & DIGITALIZATION, MOS TOURISM, MOS B2B, and MOS PLUS - the "MOS Business Days" are featuring numerous lectures and workshops over the course of five days.

This afternoon, the 2-day 19th Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), the largest foreign policy event in the Republic of Slovenia, will conclude at Bled. This year, the forum is held under the title “A World of Parallel Realities”. As Slovenia takes on the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council, this edition of the forum has highlighted the most notable conflicts in the global context, focusing on the pursuit of stability amidst global chaos. The opening addresses were delivered by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres - alongside the host, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar. The opening session was followed by a "Leaders' Panel", where perspectives and insights were shared by the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Serbia, Miloš Vučević, and the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković (in the photo with the President of VZMD, Kristjan Verbič). In addition to the highest representatives of the Republic of Slovenia, this year's event was attended by numerous top representatives of countries, international institutions, and businesses.

Last week, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia published a response from the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and the Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, to a joint letter from the finance ministers of Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia (dated May 28, 2024) and their initiative for further development of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) and the strengthening of EU competitiveness. VZMD explicitly supports such initiatives and expresses satisfaction that the Ministry finally listened to their arguments and specific proposals aimed at encouraging citizens and society to unleash significant investment potential, which should be directed towards boosting the economy, strengthening capital markets, and ensuring long-term sustainable financial security and stability. VZMD has addressed numerous letters, warnings, and constructive proposals to the Ministry on this matter.

Following an exciting visit to the athletics competition at Stade de France and enthusiastic cheering for discus thrower Kristjan Čeh, the official program of the Slovenian business delegation, which visited Paris during the Olympic Games, concluded yesterday morning. After the competition, members of the delegation gathered once more at the Slovenia House, where they were greeted by the President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS), Franjo Bobinac. In a great atmosphere, they also watched the Slovenian handball team's match, which impressed with an excellent performance, securing a spot in the semi-finals. The vibrant fan atmosphere perfectly rounded off the diverse business agenda, centred on the Business Forum "Slovenian Business Champions at the Olympic Games".

During the Olympic Games in Paris, lively business events take place in the Slovenia House, located in the eminent La Villette park, where 14 other national venues or "houses" are also located. Last night, a Slovenian business delegation arrived to Paris - in organization of the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia (GZS) and the SPIRIT Slovenia - whose member is also the President of VZMD, Mr. Kristjan Verbič. Members of the delegation attended a reception in the Slovenia House last night, and today a business forum entitled "Slovenian business champions at the Olympic Games" is being held there.

The European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users - BETTER FINANCE, which unites over 5 million individual investors from 70 national shareholder and investor associations, including the founding member VZMD, has published an important presentation to understand the rights and significant role of European shareholders. They emphasize that the shares of small shareholders are not just their financial assets or investment products but also their voice in the companies they have invested in. The European Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II) encourages small shareholders to actively participate in corporate governance, and ensures and protects their rights.

This morning, the Austrian Shareholders' Association (IVA) issued a Press release commenting on the responses to their questions, which were addressed - in a cooperation with the VZMD - to NLB Management, directly after publication of the Improved Takeover Bid for ADDIKO BANK. NLB published its answers yesterday at www.nlb.si/addiko-takeover-offer, and IVA promptly reacted with a public statement that we are publishing immediately and in full due to its relevance: www.vzmd.si/images/dokumenti/IVA-NLB-ADDIKO (exceptionally without translation).

In the coming months, numerous international investor events will take place, during which VZMD - as part of its efforts through the International Business-Investor Programs: Invest to Slovenia - investo.si and the International Investors' Network - investo.international - has already confirmed its participation in events in three major European financial centres. At the beginning of August, the VZMD President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič - with a business delegation organized by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Slovenia (GZS) and the SPIRIT Slovenia Public Agency - will visit Paris, where – on the sidelines of the Olympic Games – a diverse business program will also take place at the Slovenian House. The business aspect is always an important part of the Bled Strategic Forum, which VZMD will traditionally attend at the beginning of September – VIDEO 2023: https://youtu.be/8vLICIib4c8 & VIDEO 2022: https://youtu.be/nI2xR4DjQfI.

A day after the announcement of the improved takeover bid and the prospectus for the purchase of shares of Austrian ADDIKO BANK, published by Slovenian NLB bank on Monday evening, the President of VZMD, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, addressed a request to the CEO of NLB, Mr. Blaž Brodnjak, for comprehensive explanations and answers to the questions from the letter "ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: NLB / Addiko Bank AG takeover bid," received from the President of the Austrian Shareholders' Association (IVA), Mr. Florian Beckermann.