NEWS
Prime Minister on a working visit to the Pomurje region: "The excellence achieved should fill us with pride and motivate us for the future."
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, today paid a working visit to the Pomurje region. As part of the visit, Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek, together with the Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, Dejan Židan, attended a conference for the heads of ministerial delegations on the promotion of protein plant production in the broader Danube Region and South Europe. Ms Bratušek also attended the opening of the 51st International Fair of Agriculture and Food (AGRA), where she delivered a keynote address. As for the current developments in the agricultural sector, the Prime Minister stressed: "Any response from you to our proposals is a signal that the matter should be reconsidered. Through social dialogue, the Government will listen to each and every one of you, although often it is only about words and unwillingness to accept change. I am convinced that the Government will be able to prepare changes that will also be acceptable to the agricultural sector."
In her address, Ms Bratušek also touched on this year's natural disaster that hit the region in the summer. "This year’s weather events are indisputably a clear sign that agriculture will have to adapt to ensure the stability of production," she said, commending the Slovenian agricultural sector on its ability to excel in quality on a global scale despite the current crisis and unfavourable weather conditions. "Slovenian apples, milk and dairy products, meat products, honey, and wine are, in one word, excellent. The excellence achieved should fill us with pride and motivate us for the future." As for the current measures, which will not spare the agricultural sector, Ms Bratušek stressed that, despite the difficult times, the Slovenian Government had succeeded in ensuring the smooth payment of all subsidies to agriculture and provided the national budget funds necessary for drawing on the European funds. "This is of great importance for the agricultural sector in dealing with the economic and financial crisis," added the Prime Minister. She also thanked the Pomurje hosts for their warm and friendly hospitality, which will definitely help them on their path towards a brighter future.
In the afternoon, Ms Bratušek visited two successful companies in Pomurje: Ocean Orchids and Paradajz. They serve as excellent examples of good entrepreneurial practice, proving that success is possible even in the times of crisis.