NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor visits the flooded areas
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Ljubica Jelušič, and the Civil Protection Commander of the Republic of Slovenia, Miran Bogataj, today inspected the situation after the recent storms in the municipalities Zagorje ob Savi, Laško and Ljubljana, and took note of the protection and rescue measures taken so far and the ones to be carried out in the future. As the Prime Minister said, a priority list of remedial action relating to the most problematic watercourses in Slovenia will have to be set up. “I estimate that this will be a major burden to the national budget, but one that may not be avoided," said the Prime Minister.
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/SPA)
He emphasised that such action is indispensable, or Slovenia will face floods every year. “In setting up these lists that foresee interventions into infrastructure, we have to work hand in hand with mayors.” It is also urgent to take a more comprehensive approach to the regulation of watercourses in order to prevent such cases from repeating. “The issue of watercourses has not been appropriately settled for a number of years. Some of these consequences may be attributed to the fact that the watercourses were not properly regulated,” added the Prime Minister.
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/SPA)
The Government will do everything possible and necessary to protect people and their property. Certain measures will be also of short-term nature, although Mr Pahor supports long-term remedial action. “It is obvious that watercourses are a major issue, which has now become evident,” said the Prime Minister and emphasised that people are not alone in these devastating floods, since human solidarity has, once again, been affirmed. The Prime Minister is satisfied with the measures observed so far, both in terms of action taken by the competent authorities and action taken by individuals. In particular, he commended the volunteers and said that “in these difficult moments we have witnessed great solidarity between people and I call for solidarity also in the time ahead.”
(Photo: Daniel Novakovič/SPA)
In the light of the recent events, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of Ministers of Defence, Internal Affairs, Environment and Spatial Planning, Economy and Finance, and of the Civil Protection Commander of the Republic of Slovenia, for Monday, to talk about the provision of immediate help to the affected people. “We will evaluate the situation and provide an initial assessment of to what and where the priority action should be applied, both in terms of helping people and protecting their property,” explained Mr Pahor. They will also consider whether an extraordinary session of the Government should be convened prior to the regular Thursday session with a view to a timely adoption of “the necessary decisions to start the financial support in order to help people and economic entities.”