Hello.
Yes, of course. Today's summit is interesting,
because a big debate on the conclusions is not expected,
it is more intended for exchange,
but it is true that each country has its own agenda,
Slovenia included.
First of all, I would like to say that we welcome the unity
shown by the European Union on the issue of support for Ukraine,
and today this unity is maintained.
I believe it will remain so in the end,
even though the debate will be longer.
One of the items that appears here is also,
and this is very interesting,
that the European Union is starting to organise itself
not only for joint procurement of ammunition,
but also for joint production.
I think this is a very interesting, useful shift.
Because, as we all know, the funds for the military budgets will increase
and it is right that this money is spent as locally as possible,
in the member states also for the purpose of economic development.
This item is on the agenda and this is very positive.
On the other hand there is an item about carbon neutral technologies
and competitiveness. I've noticed progress here as well.
The debates about controversial technology or solutions
are being withdrawn,
leaving room for all technologies to be included
with respect to national interests. It's in Slovenia's national interest
for nuclear technology to be an integral part of this package,
not necessarily as the one mentioned by the whole of Europe as the main,
but certainly one of those that is allowed within this aid framework
for carbon neutral technologies, and we will also insist on this.
Nuclear technology must have its place
in the carbon neutral future of Europe.
The third thing is related to energy,
we have also been very active in the preparation,
some conclusions were supplemented with our comments,
and we are very satisfied with that.
We expect a lot of exchange of views,
but I hope no more than a few different opinions regarding the conclusions,
so maybe this summit will finish a little faster than the previous one,
although we have a lot of questions, but no hard conclusions among them.
Regarding the draft legislation on clean technologies.
What is Slovenia's position
and what does this legislation mean for Slovenia
in the light of preparations for the construction project
of the second block of the nuclear power plant?
Of course, this framework is very important.
I wouldn't tie it to a specific project,
maybe it's too early for that.
It's important so that technology, in Slovenia's case nuclear,
gets clear rules on how it can access capital,
capital markets, how the placement procedures will take place,
how the development resources,
which are still needed for nuclear energy,
will be made possible at all. Nuclear technology is at a crossroads.
That's why this framework is not tied to a specific project.
Projects are projects, while the framework opens up
the possibility of re-establishing the nuclear industry in Europe,
not only building capacities, but establishing the industry
which will also be able to build capacities.
From this point of view, this issue is even more important
in the long term than the issue of one block.
If we manage to obtain certain benefits in some part
for the realisation of the second block, all the better,
because the main risk in the nuclear industry today is
that we do not have a real industry within Europe,
and it is therefore all the more difficult to plan reliably enough
from the point of view of time and budget
how such projects as JEK 2 would actually look like.
Could we look for an alternative to the second block
within the framework of this legislation?
Not in the short term. In the long term,
if, of course, the funds are also available
and if it were to happen that through research funds
Europe would manage to develop some alternative nuclear technology.
Develop for the commercial level of exploitation.
Regarding the regulation on carbon-free cars by 2035,
are you expecting a discussion and what is Slovenia's position?
Not a special discussion. There will probably be an exchange of opinions.
This isn't among the conclusions.
Slovenia's position is what is good for the German automobile industry
is in principle always good for the Slovenian automobile industry.
Slovenian automobile industry is a very important part
of our industrial production, as well as exports,
which means that the compromise proposal prepared by the Commission
is acceptable for us and we don't see a great need
for a debate on this topic, because it does not exclude anything.
At the moment, it is perfectly fine.
Regarding joint procurement of ammunition.
Slovenia will participate.
Will we procure anything for ourselves?
Will we support the further expansion of the EPF?
This mechanism is just now being established,
but the most important is not only the establishment of the mechanism
for procurement, because the question arises
as to who is the one who will sell, just the big countries?
The debate is already moving in the direction
of establishing evenly distributed production capacities within the EU,
evenly distributed geographically,
so that Slovenia is also involved in the production part,
not only in the procurement part, and that this part is truly European.
This is the position we will represent.
If I may, two domestic questions.
How do you comment on the medical strike announcement?
I really won't comment on that, this is the first I'm hearing of it.
Regarding the decision to extend the regulation of electricity prices
for small and medium consumers. When will this decision be made?
I think this debate is scheduled for the next few weeks.
It will definitely be early enough, in the course of April,
so for now I am optimistic that such decisions will be confirmed,
but I would wait for that.
There is no fear that small business consumers
would be left to their own devices in any way.
Today, the most important thing is to ensure enough energy
for next winter at favourable prices.
The moment is right, so from this point of view,
we have more to be optimistic about than we had twelve months ago.
Thank you. -Regarding ammunition production.
Are specific projects being prepared in Slovenia or is this just a wish?
You always ask me about things that are being prepared,
and then you realise that I promised too much. I've learned my lesson.
More importantly, Commissioner Berton is coming to Slovenia.
This is the purpose of his visit.
Then we will be able to say more on this topic.
We will play out scenarios
of what is possible within the European framework
and what the European Commission will also support.
Then we will be able to talk more about it, but the drafts are ready.
European values are part of the EU vision.
Will Slovenia join the European Commission's lawsuit
against Hungary regarding the LGBTI legislation?
Time is running out.
A bunch of countries joined, including your partner Benelux.
What is Slovenia's position? -Slovenia supports the lawsuit.
For the time being, we do not see a special need
to go a step further. If it turns out we can help,
we will decide on the next steps. But we support it,
we're not hiding that.
Thank you. -Thank you very much.