Today the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, along with several Ministers and State Secretaries, took part in a consultation with mayors, businessmen and other stakeholders in the development of the proposed Central Slovenian Region. The debate focused on the region’s development issues, regional incentives, use of European funds and other topical themes related to local self-government.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

The Prime Minister opened by stating that, in terms of development, Slovenia today stood at around 90% of the European average. He went on to add that many reforms and strategic steps, such as joining the European Union and the eurozone, had contributed to Slovenia’s relatively rapid development since its independence. According to the Prime Minister, there is only one development tool still missing in Slovenia compared to more developed countries – regionalisation.

 

The Premier stressed that today, despite the consensus reached at regional level on the urgent need for regions, Slovenia was still undecided whether or not regionalisation was necessary. He regarded debate on the issue as vital. He maintained, nonetheless, that dividing Slovenia into regions was the only possible way to achieve faster and more uniform development. The Prime Minister went on to add that, in political terms, it was realistic to establish between twelve and fourteen regions since this was also “what most parts of Slovenia would prefer on the basis of historical or traditional allegiances”.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

The Prime Minister assessed the task of drawing the regional map of the central part of Slovenia as very demanding since, in this project, the differing views of municipalities had to be taken into account as well as disposition and infrastructure. “The newly proposed Central Slovenian Region is a compromise which is not ideal but nevertheless provides a basis for further consultation.” PM Janez Janša stressed, in this regard, that on the basis of the will expressed by the people, changes were always possible.

 

Participants in the consultation agreed that regions were necessary, since they increase the pace of development and the inflow of money. The Prime Minister took the view that regions are the primary instrument and guarantee of more coordinated and faster development for all parts of Slovenia.