With a morning working meeting in Moravske Toplice, the Prime Minster of Slovenia, Janez Janša, and members of the cabinet began the second day of their visit to Pomurje. As promised at the first meeting on 2 March 2005, the government team revisited the region to see what had been done and which problems had been solved, and to see how the agreements they made with the local authorities are working. In two days there have been as many as 75 different events and meetings with representatives of different local institutions and companies.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
At the working meeting the members of the cabinet discussed the developmental perspectives of Pomurje, familiarised themselves with the current situation in the region and assessed how the promises they had made two years ago were fulfilled. On this occasion the government team familiarised themselves with projects which have already been carried out and already yielded concrete results and those which were in the preparation phase.
Later on, the Prime Minister and the environment minister Janez Podobnik met representatives of the Slovenian Roma Association to discuss the Roma issue which was the centre of their talks two years ago. They agreed that many positive steps had been taken that there has been progress in employment, education and residential issues; however, there are still outstanding issues which will need to be resolved with joint efforts. They also agreed that the draft act on the Roma community currently under scrutiny in parliament was good and would step up solving the problems encountered by the Slovenian Roma. The President of the Slovenian Roma Association, Jožek Horvat Muc, expressed his satisfaction that in the last two years many things had changed for the better, which is something the Slovenian Roma can also be pleased about, within the European context.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
In the afternoon, the PM visited the Murales wood furniture plant, which exports approximately 60 per cent of its production. The PM, accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Andrej Vizjak, congratulated the management on good business results and expressed satisfaction that the company was a major job provider in a region with high unemployment. They also discussed opportunities to draw on EU funds, the lack of appropriately trained personnel, and the elimination of administrative obstacles. They exchanged views on the decree, currently in draft stage, on regional tax benefits, which will more specifically define research and investment, on tax policy and amendments to employment legislation. On this occasion the PM stressed that the government wanted to improve the business environment in less-developed regions.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
At a later press conference, the PM emphasised some of the key elements which will significantly shape the development of the region, including the decree on provinces. Since the last visit, this idea has been worked on intensively, so there is a good chance that in the next parliamentary elections, representatives to the provincial bodies will also be elected at the same time. The introduction of provinces will facilitate the transfer of a great deal of authority and also finances; in the case of Pomurje, between €80 and €90 million. This will offer greater room for manoeuvre space and provide opportunities for the better management of the development potential of the region.
According to the PM, the second key element which will facilitate the accelerated development of the region was the building of 70 kilometres of motorway to Pomurje, the biggest investment in infrastructure in Pomurje this year. This will be followed by investment in the railway network – the PM mentioned the modernisation of the Pragersko–Hodoš section. The PM also stressed that problems cannot be solved overnight; however, the government would do its best to curb the adverse effects of heavy traffic, including with payments of indemnities to the most affected inhabitants.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
The PM also mentioned the innovations introduced by the amended Act on Local Finances and Personal Income Tax Act, which ensure a fairer distribution of funds, which in the case of 27 Pomurje municipalities translates into €10 million.
Since their first visit to Pomurje the government has also adopted the Resolution on National Development Projects for the period 2007-2023, which evenly distributes key development projects in all Slovenian regions, facilitating faster and more balanced progress. The Resolution envisages two projects for Pomurje – the OKO business centre and the establishment of a network of emergency medical centres by opening an emergency treatment centre in Murska Sobota medical centre. Further opportunities for the development of the region are offered by the new Financial Perspective, which has earmarked considerable funds upon which Pomurje can draw to finance individual projects.
The PM also stressed the fact that concessions in 2006 for building retirement homes in Beltinci, Gornja Radgona and Radenci had been granted. These home offer 300 new vacancies, improving the situation in this area.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
The Prime Minisiter also said that last year almost 8,000 persons were included in the Active Employment Policy programme, which is more than a 50 per cent increase in comparison with last year. Compared to 2005 the number of registered unemployed in Pomurje dropped by 18.7 per cent and is at its lowest level in 10 years. In 2006, almost 5,400 found new jobs, a 1.8 increase over 2005.
In the late afternoon the PM and the cabinet met mayors, businessmen, MPs and National Councillors from Pomurje. They discussed business opportunities and related issues, and the challenges that the region faces.
(Photo: Nebojša Tejić/Salomon 2000)
In the evening the government team played in a charity football match against the Pomurje team, which included mayors and businessmen from the region. In an interesting duel the Government's team won with 5:2 against the local team. The money raised will be donated to humanitarian causes.
Already the previous day the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša met with representatives of the Hungarian minority in Slovenia (more about the meeting).
