WEBVTT

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Hello.

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Yes, of course.
Today's summit is interesting,

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because a big debate
on the conclusions is not expected,

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it is more intended
for exchange,

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but it is true that
each country has its own agenda,

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Slovenia included.

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First of all, I would like to say
that we welcome the unity

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shown by the European Union
on the issue of support for Ukraine,

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and today this unity
is maintained.

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I believe it will remain so
in the end,

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even though
the debate will be longer.

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One of the items
that appears here is also,

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and this is very interesting,

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that the European Union
is starting to organise itself

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not only for joint
procurement of ammunition,

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but also for joint production.

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I think this is a very interesting,
useful shift.

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Because, as we all know, the funds
for the military budgets will increase

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and it is right that this money
is spent as locally as possible,

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in the member states also for the
purpose of economic development.

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This item is on the agenda
and this is very positive.

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On the other hand there is an item
about carbon neutral technologies

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and competitiveness.
I've noticed progress here as well.

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The debates about controversial
technology or solutions

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are being withdrawn,

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leaving room for all technologies
to be included

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with respect to national interests.
It's in Slovenia's national interest

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for nuclear technology to be
an integral part of this package,

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not necessarily as the one mentioned
by the whole of Europe as the main,

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but certainly one of those that is
allowed within this aid framework

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for carbon neutral technologies,
and we will also insist on this.

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Nuclear technology
must have its place

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in the carbon neutral
future of Europe.

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The third thing
is related to energy,

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we have also been
very active in the preparation,

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some conclusions
were supplemented with our comments,

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and we are
very satisfied with that.

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We expect
a lot of exchange of views,

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but I hope no more than a few different
opinions regarding the conclusions,

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so maybe this summit will finish
a little faster than the previous one,

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although we have a lot of questions,
but no hard conclusions among them.

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Regarding the draft legislation
on clean technologies.

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What is Slovenia's position

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and what does this legislation
mean for Slovenia

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in the light of preparations
for the construction project

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of the second block
of the nuclear power plant?

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Of course,
this framework is very important.

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I wouldn't tie it
to a specific project,

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maybe it's too early for that.

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It's important so that technology,
in Slovenia's case nuclear,

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gets clear rules on how
it can access capital,

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capital markets, how the placement
procedures will take place,

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how the development resources,

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which are still needed
for nuclear energy,

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will be made possible at all.
Nuclear technology is at a crossroads.

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That's why this framework
is not tied to a specific project.

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Projects are projects,
while the framework opens up

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the possibility of re-establishing
the nuclear industry in Europe,

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not only building capacities,
but establishing the industry

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which will also be able
to build capacities.

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From this point of view,
this issue is even more important

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in the long term
than the issue of one block.

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If we manage to obtain
certain benefits in some part

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for the realisation
of the second block, all the better,

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because the main risk
in the nuclear industry today is

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that we do not have
a real industry within Europe,

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and it is therefore all the more
difficult to plan reliably enough

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from the point of view
of time and budget

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how such projects as JEK 2
would actually look like.

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Could we look for an alternative
to the second block

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within the framework
of this legislation?

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Not in the short term.
In the long term,

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if, of course,
the funds are also available

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and if it were to happen
that through research funds

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Europe would manage to develop
some alternative nuclear technology.

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Develop for the commercial level
of exploitation.

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Regarding the regulation
on carbon-free cars by 2035,

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are you expecting a discussion
and what is Slovenia's position?

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Not a special discussion. There will
probably be an exchange of opinions.

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This isn't among the conclusions.

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Slovenia's position is what is good
for the German automobile industry

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is in principle always good for
the Slovenian automobile industry.

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Slovenian automobile industry
is a very important part

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of our industrial production,
as well as exports,

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which means that the compromise
proposal prepared by the Commission

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is acceptable for us
and we don't see a great need

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for a debate on this topic, because
it does not exclude anything.

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At the moment,
it is perfectly fine.

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Regarding joint procurement
of ammunition.

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Slovenia will participate.

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Will we procure
anything for ourselves?

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Will we support
the further expansion of the EPF?

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This mechanism
is just now being established,

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but the most important is not only
the establishment of the mechanism

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for procurement,
because the question arises

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as to who is the one who will sell,
just the big countries?

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The debate is already
moving in the direction

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of establishing evenly distributed
production capacities within the EU,

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evenly distributed geographically,

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so that Slovenia is also involved
in the production part,

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not only in the procurement part,
and that this part is truly European.

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This is the position
we will represent.

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If I may,
two domestic questions.

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How do you comment
on the medical strike announcement?

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I really won't comment on that,
this is the first I'm hearing of it.

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Regarding the decision to extend
the regulation of electricity prices

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for small and medium consumers.
When will this decision be made?

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I think this debate
is scheduled for the next few weeks.

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It will definitely be early enough,
in the course of April,

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so for now I am optimistic that
such decisions will be confirmed,

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but I would wait for that.

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There is no fear
that small business consumers

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would be left
to their own devices in any way.

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Today, the most important thing
is to ensure enough energy

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for next winter
at favourable prices.

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The moment is right,
so from this point of view,

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we have more to be optimistic about
than we had twelve months ago.

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Thank you.
-Regarding ammunition production.

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Are specific projects being prepared
in Slovenia or is this just a wish?

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You always ask me about
things that are being prepared,

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and then you realise that I promised
too much. I've learned my lesson.

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More importantly, Commissioner
Berton is coming to Slovenia.

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This is the purpose of his visit.

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Then we will be able
to say more on this topic.

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We will play out scenarios

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of what is possible
within the European framework

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and what the European Commission
will also support.

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Then we will be able to talk more
about it, but the drafts are ready.

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European values
are part of the EU vision.

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Will Slovenia join
the European Commission's lawsuit

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against Hungary regarding
the LGBTI legislation?

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Time is running out.

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A bunch of countries joined,
including your partner Benelux.

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What is Slovenia's position?
-Slovenia supports the lawsuit.

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For the time being,
we do not see a special need

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to go a step further.
If it turns out we can help,

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we will decide on the next steps.
But we support it,

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we're not hiding that.

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Thank you.
-Thank you very much.