Today in Koper the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, attended a celebration honouring 50 years of Luka Koper at which the foundation stone for the extension of Pier 1 was laid. In his address, the PM stressed the significance and strategic importance of the decision made fifty years before that the foundations for the Port of Koper be laid at this very meeting point of the Mediterranean and Central Europe.
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
"Everyone who has worked at Luka Koper in the last fifty years – everyone who managed the company – has proved that this decision was not wrong," said Mr Janša, stressing that the company has been more than successful as it has also significantly contributed to the development of both the region and the country. According to the PM, Luka Koper played a particularly important part at the time of Slovenia's independence, which would have involved much more risk had it not been for Slovenia's door to the world.
The fact that the decision was right was also reconfirmed when Slovenia joined the European Union. "Both Slovenia and Luka Koper thus gained more space with more opportunities which should be realised," said the PM, adding that he firmly believed Luka Koper would know how to take advantage of the opportunities as it has done in the last fifty years. The Government will provide all the necessary support, and encourage local authorities and people to do the same. The PM also drew attention to the need for environmental protection since the Slovenian coast is a relatively small area which should be made use of prudently and in accordance with the principle of sustainable development.
"In order for our main port to respond efficiently to the global challenges that await it, all the necessary infrastructure must be built, which is a prerequisite of high quality logistics services," said Mr Janša and pointed out the difficult task of modernising the Slovenian railway network. "This is one of the main trials of Slovenia and its taxpayers and, from the financial point of view, our greatest challenge in the coming decade."
(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)
The PM stressed that logistics is becoming a more and more comprehensive science, which is why Luka Koper needs a strategic partner which would be involved in co-funding the modernisation of the railway system, and ensure a wider outreach to Slovenian companies. "This is about collaboration, not about selling Slovenia's main logistics infrastructure, as the case has often been incorrectly referred to," said Mr Janša.
"If we are to remain and become even more competitive in both global and European terms, we cannot avoid these processes. However, we must be prudent and find reliable and credible partners," said the PM, assuring that the Government is making every effort to achieve this. He expressed his firm belief that the results would be good, but that this entailed courage – just as the decision to build Slovenia's own large commercial port.
"The challenges of the future are not something we should be afraid of. I am convinced that with combined forces we will find the best answers to them, and that at every round anniversary of Luka Koper we may refer to it as the best commercial port in the Mediterranean," Mr Janša said when concluding his address.
