WEBVTT

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Good day.
There's more of you each day.

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The scenery is beautiful.

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We've finished debating
with economy representatives

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from The Chamber of Commerce
and The Chamber of Craft

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in Pomurje and Prekmurje
and several companies.

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We exchanged views on problems
in the economic world,

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we had to avoid the situation
with energy sources

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and the rising costs.

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We've explained what measures
we're preparing this week

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and in the following year.

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I think we'll find an adequate
solution to the economy of Pomurje.

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We've also discussed developmental
opportunities of the region

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and its strategic aspirations.

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Besides agriculture
and irrigation systems

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and how to help agriculture

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we've discussed another
untapped opportunity,

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and that is geothermal energy.

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A huge part of the economy
counts on this potential

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with its agricultural aspect in mind.

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We've also discussed

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how to exploit natural resources

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and strengthen
food-processing industry

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with education systems
and infrastructure investment.

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We've learned a lot
in this meeting,

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the meeting was honest
and direct and I believe

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we'll soon have concrete measures
that will benefit both the economy

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and Slovenia as a country.

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I'm now ready to take questions.

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On Thursday, we'll be discussing
electricity prices

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for the current year in accordance
with the European directive

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on state aid.
We'll propose a measure

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that will cover a part of the price
difference compared to last year

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from the budgets.
Funds are guaranteed.

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Luckily, only a handful
were affected by the high prices,

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however, the following year
will be different for the majority.

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We've discussed ways
how we can help

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small and medium-sized consumers
through escalation ladder.

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It's quite similar, but it's easier
for the state in regards to electricity,

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because we have our own
energy sources

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whereas we lack those for gas.
We'll definitely not run out of gas,

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but the prices are very high.

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Many measures, including transition
from gas to other energy sources,

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including consumption rationalization,
seems to be the best solution.

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Companies are in different situations.
No two cases are the same.

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Every company
has its own purchasing prices

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that's why we have to figure out the
difference and consumption by company.

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I am counting
on energy providers,

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there aren't many,
to verify all the data.

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No, we don't want
to introduce further charges.

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We're taking measures to limit the price
of gas and electricity downwards.

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We don't want to follow steps
taken by other countries

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that put the higher cost
on the consumer alone.

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Primarily on household consumers.

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We'll shortly prepare an analysis

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on gas and electricity price
differences compared

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to other European countries.

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You'll then see how big
the difference really is.

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We're not talking about
a 20% difference

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but about 200% or more

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when you compare our consumers
and those from other countries.

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We're not thinking about taxes.

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We've discussed how to improve
the efficacy of existing boreholes.

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We'll review the situation

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and prepare an analysis
with the relevant experts.

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We need to prepare a plan
on geothermal energy

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for the entire region.

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This potential is
rather untapped today.

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It is unusual that today,

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when only a small portion is in use,
we would limit those who use it.

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Geothermal energy is a big opportunity
for Pomurje that we should focus on

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more ambitiously.

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Shortage of labour
is a problem everywhere.

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We have daily migrants

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in neighbouring countries,

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and we've slept on migration
policies as a country,

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especially work permits
and we need to tackle this challenge.

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How to obtain
work permits faster

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to offset shortage
of labour that migrates abroad

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either in Austria or Italy.

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You know very well
that the employers define salaries.

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Those present today did not
suggest this, however, they thought

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that the taxes could be lower.
Even if we abolished them completely,

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we can't compete with
the situation abroad.

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Because of the higher
value added per employee.

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That's why we'll take two measures.

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We need to invest in those branches
that will boost the value added.

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This way, salaries can be higher, too.
Meanwhile, we need to take care

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that we'll acquire
labour force

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that wants to work here faster.

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I believe the Statistical Office
published this today,

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but I haven't looked at the data.

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I'm happy.
This was expected

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for the second quarter.

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I'm more worried about
the last quarter,

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because things might get cold.

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The key, however, will be
the first quarter of next year.

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All those measures will have
that in mind.

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How to help people through
the winter and how to upstart

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the economy in January.

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The prospects seem good which is
an extenuating circumstance

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that will be used to alleviate
our people's troubles in the winter.

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We've discussed prices before.
Our prices will be much

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lower than those abroad,
for example in Austria.

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Migrant workers have Austrian
salaries and Slovenian prices.

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This is an unbelievable
combination which won't last.

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I don't know exactly.

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There's been fewer applicants
than expected.

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Apparently, our farmers didn't have
problems selling their crops.

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They sold to the highest bidder.

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If we don't acquire everything,
we'll reopen the call to tenders.

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It's good news that the port
of Odessa is not under blockade.

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I believe there won't be shortage
of wheat as it seemed a month ago.

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No, we can't talk
about energy poverty.

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Several experts are working
on the criteria for energy poverty.

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We'll skip this phase.

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We'll define poverty.
Not on Thursday.

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This will be done
in the course of next month.

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We'll appeal to all those
who aren't documented

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but would be eligible for help,
to come forward so that they can

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be included
in the next wave of benefits.

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We'll present the measures
on Thursday.

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We'll know more on Thursday.

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No comment. Time will show
that the difference is huge.

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We don't expect

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any additional measures in schools

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apart from proper ventilation
and that symptomatic students

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will stay home.

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We've stressed that we don't
expect additional measures.

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For the first time NIPH leads
a taskforce of school personnel

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who focus only on that.

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We'll communicate more
about that this week.

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They waited for people
to come back from vacation.

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But we've already mentioned in July
that we don't expect any measures.

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If we go down this route,
we have to think carefully.

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Because of climate change
that we're witnessing every day

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and the fact that we have water
but we can't properly store it,

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we'll have to rethink the concepts
of water tanks and the supply network.

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We'll discuss this in the Autumn,
as it's not a region-specific issue,

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as we can see in the Slovenian Istria
and the Karst regions.

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We'll probably amend the laws

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and try to find a balance between
national interest of draught prevention

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and ecological interests.
We'll speed up the process

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which is the only way
to introduce such systems

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in our environment.