Prime Minister Janša: Regional visits help us find concrete solutions for the development of southeastern Slovenia

SLOVENIA, November 4 - The Prime Minister began by highlighting that, according to numerous statistical indicators, southeastern Slovenia ranks among the most developed regions in Slovenia. It is characterised by high purchasing power among its population, the highest number of births per thousand inhabitants, substantial investment in research and development, and a strong manufacturing industry.

"This is the region with the largest share of manufacturing industry of all regions. It has jobs with high added value, which is, of course, also reflected in net wages and purchasing power," the Prime Minister emphasised.

He also drew attention to the considerable differences between the region's 21 municipalities. While some achieve exceptional economic results, others still face inadequate transport and municipal infrastructure, as well as difficulties in ensuring basic living conditions.

Government seeks concrete solutions to outstanding development issues

The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government had carefully prepared the visit on the basis of proposals previously collected from mayors and other key stakeholders involved in the region's development. Ministers and state secretaries had already begun numerous meetings across the region the day before the main visit, while the Government discussed outstanding issues concerning the region's development at its working session.

"The Government went through everything, and for practically every one of these outstanding issues raised by the mayors and some other key stakeholders involved in the region's development, we found an answer or potential solutions," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, several hundred visits and discussions with representatives of local communities, businesses and other development institutions will take place over the two days.

"At least 30 or 40 outstanding issues, including major ones, will receive answers, project timelines or, in some cases, even final solutions," he emphasised.

Focus on transport infrastructure and the spatial planning of projects

Approximately 40 per cent of the outstanding issues discussed by the Government concern infrastructure, while around 30 per cent relate to the environment and spatial planning.

The Prime Minister pointed out that development projects are often hindered by lengthy administrative and judicial proceedings and complications in spatial planning. According to him, such obstacles represent lost development opportunities, which is why systemic changes will also be necessary.

He devoted particular attention to the construction of the third development axis, which is of key importance for the transport connectivity of Bela krajina and the wider region. In view of complications on individual sections, he stressed that the project must be allowed to continue wherever the necessary conditions have been met.

"Construction will, however, begin elsewhere. And we will, of course, also seek to dismantle the framework that allows such obstruction at the systemic level, so that this does not happen," he said.

Bela krajina has not been and will not be forgotten

The Prime Minister specifically highlighted Bela krajina, where the regional visit also began. He emphasised that the Government is working to overcome longstanding development disparities and improve transport and other infrastructure.

"In doing so, the Government, and I personally, have fulfilled one of the initiatives or promises we made in the past, namely that this part of Slovenia would not be forgotten," he said.

He also expressed the expectation that some of the key infrastructure issues would already have been resolved by the time of the next visit to Bela krajina.

"It has not been forgotten, it will not be forgotten, and I believe that by the time of our next visit to this part of Slovenia, some of the key outstanding infrastructure issues will no longer exist, because now is the very last moment to resolve them."

Establishment of provinces for more effective regional development

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of Slovenia's regionalisation. He pointed out that statistical regions do not have the powers to resolve numerous development issues that exceed the capacities of individual municipalities but are, at the same time, not suitable for direct resolution at the national level.

According to him, Slovenia will have to reach a broader political consensus on the establishment of provinces, which would enable more effective planning and implementation of regional development projects.

Prime Minister on reducing VAT and protecting households against high prices

In response to journalists' questions, the Prime Minister also spoke about measures to reduce the cost of living. Regarding the proposal by trade union confederations to reduce VAT on basic necessities, he emphasised that the Development Act already includes the possibility of reducing VAT on food and energy products.

"If they are in favour of making basic foodstuffs cheaper and energy products cheaper, then they should support the Act," he said.

He explained that the possibility of reducing VAT is particularly important during the winter period, when energy consumption is higher and international circumstances may further affect energy prices. According to him, with the appropriate approval of the European Commission, the Government would gain an additional instrument for mitigating price pressures.

Nuclear energy is part of the solution to Europe's energy self-sufficiency

Asked about the possibilities of financing the second unit of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of nuclear energy for energy security, the competitiveness of the economy and the implementation of the green transition.

He assessed that one of the key mistakes of European energy policy in the past was the exclusion of nuclear energy from solutions aimed at achieving energy self-sufficiency, which, in his opinion, contributed to Europe's greater dependence on imported energy products.

"Nuclear energy is no longer part of the problem. It is part of the solution, as it should have been from the very beginning," he emphasised.

He also pointed out that favourable financing sources from European and commercial banks are now available for nuclear projects, which is why, in his view, the construction of the second unit does not require the introduction of new taxes.

"Slovenia can build the second unit of the nuclear power plant under favourable financing conditions, without placing any additional burden on household budgets in the short, medium or long term," he said.

On referendums, succession issues and international developments

The Prime Minister also responded to a question about the possible holding of additional consultative referendums on 6 December. He explained that calling such referendums falls within the competence of the National Assembly, which can decide on the matter by a majority vote of its members.

Regarding the possibility of making Slovenia's support for Serbia's accession to the European Union conditional on the return of archival material, he reiterated Slovenia's longstanding position that Serbia, as one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, must resolve succession issues, including the return of property and archival material belonging to other successor states.

Asked about Robert Golob's bank account in Romania, the Prime Minister expressed doubts about the explanations provided so far concerning the alleged identity theft and assessed that further information could still be disclosed.

Finally, he also commented on the US elections and expressed hope that their consequences would have a favourable impact on continued United States support for Ukraine and on the stabilisation of energy prices.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Prime Minister once again highlighted the importance of direct cooperation between the Government, municipalities and other key development stakeholders. Finding concrete solutions to outstanding issues, removing administrative obstacles and accelerating infrastructure projects remain the central objectives of the Government's efforts to develop southeastern Slovenia.

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