NEWS

Prime Minister’s press conference

At a press conference held today after the 2nd regular Government session, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, along with the ministers of the crisis group, presented the content of debates and resolutions adopted by the Government.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

The Prime Minister indicated that the Government had discussed a proposed decree on criteria and conditions for the issuance of guarantees according to Article 86 of the Public Finance Act. The ministers decided to postpone discussion on this issue in order to allow an exchange of views within the relevant working body of the National Assembly prior to adopting the decree. “The decision of the Government to consult the National Assembly ahead of adopting an implementing regulation is unprecedented, as are indeed the circumstances we are currently witnessing,” said the Prime Minister. The Government has, therefore, decided to entertain differing views and better proposals – if they exist – than the ones it is offering.

 

Prime Minister Pahor also informed the press that the Government had appointed several state secretaries in the ministries and a Government service. Dr Rado Genorio was appointed State Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, on the basis of his extensive experience, in order to help draw financial funds from the European budget.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

Mr Pahor said that the Government had been brought up to date on the results of yesterday’s visit by the Minister for Slovenes Abroad to Trieste and his meeting with the representatives of the Slovene minority. “I myself have also had a meeting with representatives of Slovenes in Italy. We are all of the opinion that their requirements involve relatively small, but nevertheless absolutely necessary funds, crucial for their normal operation,” explained the Prime Minister. In his view, these funds are not only justified in Italy’s legal system but they also arise from Italy’s international legal obligations. The Slovenian Government will do all it appropriately can in order for the authorities in Rome to respect these obligations, including that on account of its own cutbacks it will not insist on negative reciprocity for members of Italian and Hungarian national communities living in Slovenia.

 

Prime Minister Pahor also informed the press that he would set up a strategic economic council in cooperation with the Minister of the Economy. “We wish to invite the best experts to become members, in addition to the crisis group ministers, in order to advise the Slovenian Government on current economic issues we are already – and will be – facing in the coming years in this global financial situation,” concluded the Prime Minister. The council’s composition will enable differing views to be shared in order to help the Slovenian Government identify the best solutions.

 

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo)

 

The Government also took note of the letter of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, concerning the appointment of ambassadors and addressed to the former Prime Minister as well as to the incumbent Prime Minister, Mr Pahor, for his information. The Government asked that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reissue the internal publication of vacancies for heads of diplomatic and consular representations. The Government also took note of the Foreign Ministry’s intention to prepare a proposal of comprehensive amendments to the Foreign Affairs Act, including procedures and conditions regarding the appointing of ambassadors. The Prime Minister also took this opportunity to inform the press of his aim to appoint a special foreign affairs envoy in the Prime Minister’s Office. This position will be filled by Dr Dimitrij Rupel.