At a press conference in Kranj, part of the governmental visit to the region of Gorenjska, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, spoke of the aftermath of the storm which raged in several parts of the country yesterday, and the measures needed to repair the damage.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Prime Minister Janez Janša, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for solidarity. He welcomed the activities of the Red Cross and Karitas, and commended fire fighters, the Civil Protection and the Slovenian Armed Forces.

 

He presented the immediate measures that the Government has taken to respond to the disaster. The Government has provided funds to cover the costs of intervention teams, and earmarked the budgetary reserves. The PM has called on insurance companies to consider this matter a priority, and to process claims and pay out with priority accordingly.

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

According to the PM, the situation is returning to normal, although it will take some more days to make the roads passable, to ensure energy supply and establish telephone and mobile communications. The PM stressed that the Government would provide funds for the complete restoration of the Franja Partisan Hospital.

 

The programme of the visit has been adapted entirely to the natural disaster and restore the damage. "Most of my colleagues, the ministers, have adapted their schedules. This will, of course, continue in the next few days," said the PM, adding that tomorrow the Government will discuss a proposal to declare Friday a day of mourning to remember the victims. Tomorrow, the Government will take additional steps, when the authorities assess the damage and propose measures. "If necessary, we will take additional measures in the next few days at correspondence sessions," said the PM.