NEWS
Press conference of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
At today’s 92nd regular session, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, alongside other resolutions, also adopted amendments to the Maritime Code and the National Programme for the Development of Maritime Transport. The Government also took note of the progress of investment in Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant. The responsible ministers presented the adopted resolutions, and Prime Minister Pahor then answered a number of topical questions.
At today's session, the Government adopted the wording of the proposed Act Amending the Maritime Code, which transposes EU directives and regulations into the legislation of the Republic of Slovenia. The resolution on the National Programme for the Development of Maritime Transport in the Republic of Slovenia is a strategic document which defines the circumstances, objectives and measures in order to create conditions for a sustainable and integrated development of maritime transport, with specific attention to maritime transport safety. At the same time it represents a vision and helps create the conditions for maritime transport development and thus an effective use of advantages such as outlet to the Adriatic Sea, modern freight and passenger harbour and maritime-oriented economy and education system. The aim of the national programme is to preserve and improve the safety of navigation, the quality of life, protection of the environment, port infrastructure, impact on the economy and tourist industry in the sensitive area of North Adriatic, and to create better possibilities for Slovenia's development as a modern maritime country.
At today’s session, on proposal of the Ministry of the Economy, the ministerial corps took note of the Interim Report on negotiations with the supplier of investment goods for subsequent reduction of prices and the Progress Report on investment in Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant and Gantt chart of activities. The Government also took note of the material concerning enhanced efficiency of managing the HSE Group, together with the proposed measures for ensuring higher efficiency and attainment of the set goals. HSE submitted the aforementioned materials following the Government's decisions.
The Government, acting as HSE's general meeting, took note of the Report on managing the construction of the substitute Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant and considered the measures already taken by the HSE management to be appropriate. In the Government's opinion, the Report provides no firm position of the HSE management on project management acting with due care and diligence, eventual responsibility for the planning and implementation of the Unit 6 project and related measures as requested by the Government's decision of 16 June 2010. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia therefore imposed on the HSE management to amend the report accordingly as soon as possible. The Government also imposed on the management of the HSE company to amend by the end of July 2010 the investment programme for the construction of Unit 6 so as to include parts so far missing or not presented (construction of a new administration building, relocation of a gas turbine from Unit 4 to Unit 5, upgrading transport infrastructure for the delivery of the main large-scale technological equipment, envisaged unloading station for imported coal, equipment for the commissioning of Unit 6 into the electricity system, replacement of the worn out equipment within the life-expectancy of the entire power plant, etc.).
Prime Minister Pahor presented the new Director of Slovene Intelligence and Security Agency, Sebastjan Selan, who replaced Director to date, Andrej Rupnik, relieved from office by the Government. The Prime Minister explained that Andrej Rupnik met conditions to retire, but could return to work with the Ministry of the Interior. Prime Minister Pahor said that the decision was made by mutual agreement and added that he did not wish to explain the reasons due to the nature of the work of the Agency.
The Prime Minister also announced that the next day the Government would hold a working meeting regarding preparations of the supplementary 2011 budget and the 2012 budget. The meeting is expected to “finally put forward solutions where to increase budgetary appropriations in order to create conditions for higher economic growth, and how to reduce the deficit,” said the Prime Minister. Irrespective of the seasonal indicators in the Slovenian economy, expectations are good, which also applies to the area of the labour market. Reports of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development, as well as some other reports, indicate that the employment area in Slovenia is well regulated, added Mr Pahor.
With respect to the NLB bank capital increase, Prime Minister Pahor said that the way of achieving capital increase and the fate of the state ownership in the bank require a professional consideration. It will be necessary to provide professional justification as to the capital increase of the bank being born by the taxpayers or as to the State giving up its majority share in Nova Ljubljanska Banka and only retaining a controlling stake of 25% plus one share. Prime Minister Pahor is personally in favour of retaining the controlling stake in the bank; however, he is open to other well-substantiated proposals. Prime Minister Pahor again emphasised that “Slovenia does not have enough money to finance its development, though it can be found in the international community, but we must first decide when and how to sell significant assets.” Prime Minister further stated that he was informed of the NLB stress test results immediately after the test had been conducted and that they would be published on Friday. “If not sooner, the NLB bank will become aware of the necessity to increase capital at the time of the disclosure of the capital adequacy of banks” added the Prime Minister.