NEWS

Prime Minister's press conference held after the Government's 143rd regular session

Following today's 143rd regular session held by the Government, Prime Minister Pahor first expressed his satisfaction that the Austrian Parliament has passed the National Communities Act, which presents an important step towards full enforcement of the minority rights referred to in Article 7 of the Austrian State Treaty and other international legal acts. 'The agreement is important, but is seen by Slovenia as only the first step,' added Prime Minister Pahor. The National Communities Act is based on the compromise agreement concluded between representatives of the Slovenian minority and the Austrian authorities, which the minority has adopted with some reservations, no little courage, and with a view to the future. Prime Minister Pahor further stated that 'Slovenia expects the adoption and enforcement of the Act to bring about a change in the atmosphere in Austrian Carinthia, which is of vital importance for the minority to further develop and strengthen in accordance with its requirements, expressed needs and rights. Therefore, the agreement is important, but seen by Slovenia as only the first step — a step in the right direction towards this goal.'

   

With regard to the adoption of the supplementary budget, Prime Minister Pahor said that the supplementary budget is necessary if Slovenia wishes to reach the budget deficit target of 4.6 per cent and public deficit target of 5.5 per cent of GDP, while keeping government debt under 45 per cent of GDP. 'If we want to achieve this, we must achieve fiscal consolidation and control the costs in every ministry, including the Ministry of Culture, with which we today commenced discussions on the supplementary budget and which will receive more funds than last year, but less than expected,' emphasised Prime Minister Pahor. Therefore, the Government plans to cut all costs which are not essential for the normal operation of the ministries. 'There will be no exceptions, beginning with my Office. If it is proved that the most serious problem is air transport, I will not travel by private plane but will take a commercial flight instead on my next assignment. This will require more time and energy, but if there is no money, not even emperor can take it,' added Prime Minister Pahor.

   

At today's session, the Government adopted a favourable opinion on the proposed Act concerning the confiscation of property of illegal origin, which was submitted to the legislative procedure by the members of the National Assembly. The main purpose of the proposed Act is to prevent the acquisition and use of property of illegal origin. Such property must be confiscated from persons with it at their disposal, while, of course, protecting the rights of those persons who acquired the rights on such property in a legal manner and in good faith. The proposed regulation establishes a special procedure for the confiscation of property of illegal origin, for which a criminal procedure provides only a basic premise regarding the suspicion of the illegal origin of property. The substantive basis for the confiscation procedure is provided by a financial investigation, which is regulated in detail in the aforementioned Act. Decisions on the short-term protection of confiscation and on final confiscation are made by the court in civil proceedings, having regard to the principle of the reversal of the burden of proof, if there is an evident disparity between the legally acquired income and the value of the property.