NEWS

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, today began a working visit to the Russian Federation, where he is accompanied by representatives of more than forty companies. The visit began with a short meeting with the chairman of the board of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, who spoke to the Prime Minister about the progress of the South Stream project. “We talked about the conclusion of this rather long way which led to the signature of the final investment decision on Tuesday. This is a crown of this story which all of us welcome warmly. As I was told by the negotiators, the negotiations were tough but correct on both sides," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister continued his activities by meeting the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. They talked about the relations between the countries and the yet unexploited opportunities of the economic cooperation in the fields of energy, banking, information technologies, tourism and culture. 

“In the current economic situation we need business people who will know how to take competitive opportunities offered by the potentials of enhanced economic cooperation between the countries,” stressed the Prime Minister at the evening meeting with the representatives of the Slovenian economy. He invited the participants to make the most of this visit and let the Government know about any potential challenges where it could be of help. 

“This visit is very well timed, too, as the 9th meeting of the joint commission for economic co-operation will take place in Slovenia in two weeks. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all companies to actively participate at the Investment Conference organised on the margins of the meeting by the Slovenian – Russian business council,” concluded the Prime Minister.

In a separate statement to the press, the Prime Minister answered relevant questions concerning the South Stream project. In response to the question about the European Commission’s disapproval of the South Stream project, Mr Janša explained that it is a realistic project with its own sources and consumers. He continued by describing Nabucco as a project which is still only on paper and has many open issues. “The central and eastern parts of Europe, too, have the right to be supplied by energy products including gas,” he added and said that it is not only the diversification of sources but also the diversification of ways ensuring a safe energy supply that is important. “Different positions exist within the EU,” he said and added that all regulations were carefully examined when Slovenia prepared a part of the South Stream projects; the fact is that “what Slovenia is signing is in accordance with the third energy package and other rules of the energy industry.”

Last but not least, the Prime Minister stressed that Russia is a great market of opportunities for Slovenia and one of the rare economies that experience growth despite the crisis. “We did not talk about any concrete companies, but I generally invited Russian investors to Slovenia,” he said. The Prime Minister also stressed that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, by means of packages adopted for the revival of the economic growth and measures proposed for the stabilisation of the situation, strives to create an environment more attractive for international economic cooperation and foreign investments.

The visit will continue tomorrow with the Prime Minister’s address at the opening of the Slovenian – Russian business conference where the accompanying economic delegation will meet with the representatives of Russian companies. Afterwards, Mr Janša will meet with the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev.