At today's extraordinary session of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia presented his proposal to appoint Mr Radovan Žerjav the Minister of Transport, and Mrs Zofija Mazej Kukovič the Minister of Health. Prior to the session, both candidates were overwhelmingly approved by the competent National Assembly committees.

 

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

In his presentation of the candidate for the Transport Minister, the PM mentioned the Transport Policy Resolution, which is being speedily implemented, and where certain areas could be addressed even better. The PM stressed the candidate's opinion that the resolution is a good compromise between the needs of the economy, mobility, environmental requirements, safety and the efficient use of energy. He also commended the candidate's readiness to reassess some public procurement procedures and find better solutions in terms of the rational use of public funds in building transport infrastructure.

 

According to PM Janez Janša, the candidate realises that one of the greatest challenges of Slovenia in the coming years is railway transport, as two pan-European corridors run through Slovenia. We will also have to take advantage of the geo-strategic position of Koper port, which lies on the shortest route between Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries. "With regard to a personal dynamic approach and management experience, this will also be his personal challenge," said the PM.

 

At the end of the presentation, the PM mentioned that he believed it was important that the candidate is from North-Eastern Slovenia, where he has had first-hand experience with transport issues. "This will definitely make him be very sensitive to concrete transport problems," said the PM.

 

In his presentation of the candidate for Health Minister, the PM stressed that caring about health is a value and responsibility shared by doctors and medical personnel, and users of health services and civic organisations alike, adding that Slovenia had highly-trained medical staff, among the best in the EU, however, the sector was experiencing some organisational, financial and managerial difficulties. The PM believes that Mrs Kukovič is the right candidate for the position, as she would know how to unite political and managerial skills, which are imperative for the work of a minister. "However, one has to know how to engage the profession, when relevant," said the PM.

 

The PM rejected the objection that the candidate for Health Minister is not a doctor. According to the PM, most Ministers of Health in the EU do not have a medical education, which he illustrated with statistics showing that 16 out of 27 EU health ministers do not have a degree in medicine.