NEWS

Prime Minister’s press conference

At a press conference today, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, outlined major resolutions and decisions adopted by the Government at its 50th regular session.

 

(Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 

The Government today adopted the proposal for Annex 2 to the Collective agreement for the public sector and the proposed Agreement on measures regarding pay in the public sector for the period December 2009–November 2011. The proposed Annex 2, which has already been initialled, and the Agreement on measures regarding pay in the public sector are aimed at keeping funds devoted to public sector pay in 2010 at the same level as in 2009. In the face of the significantly worsened macroeconomic situation, this is necessary to limit public sector pay rises in 2010. In this regard, Prime Minister Pahor stressed: "If agreement is reached with the public sector trade unions, this would be a great achievement, proving that social dialogue works, and I hope that it will strengthen the confidence of social partners in investing in dialogue to deliver smart consensus solutions."

 

At today’s session, ministers also discussed the proposed amendments to the Act on the Provision of Air Navigation Services, which is to be submitted to the National Assembly for discussion in a shortened procedure. The amendments are aimed at regulating assets under management in accordance with the revised Slovenian accounting standards and at harmonising the Slovenian statutory regulation of this area with EU regulations to support the "Single European Sky" initiative.

 

The Government today also adopted the proposed views of Slovenia on a global climate agreement, sharing the view of the European Union that a long-term global objective of reducing emissions should be defined so as to limit the rise of the average global temperature to no more than 2 ºC relative to pre-industrial levels. Slovenia and the European Union share a common vision of setting a medium-term objective of reducing emissions in both industrialised countries and developing nations. The common vision must include the principle of equity, and the right to survival of people and ecosystems, as well as the right to sustainable development.

 

The Government today also adopted the proposed amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, the proposed amendments to the Construction Act, and the business plan for the Programme on Financial Engineering Instruments for SMEs in the Republic of Slovenia. A legal basis for varying toll rates according to the EURO emission class of vehicles has also been established.

  

At the close of the conference, Prime Minister Pahor also answered questions on the process of ratifying the arbitration agreement with the Republic of Croatia and the forthcoming meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister on the margins of the Slovenian-Croatian economic forum, to be held on Monday in Zagreb. Mr Pahor said that he was pleased to attend the forum since this would be an opportunity to build on mutual economic interests. He added that, as part of the visit, he would meet the leader of Croatia’s largest opposition party and, at the same time, would propose to the Croatian Prime Minister that the draft arbitration agreement be made public, as this would clarify certain issues. "It is my hope and wish that the draft arbitration agreement be made public as soon as possible, since this will make it easier for us to defend its content," he concluded.