WEBVTT 00:00:01.260 --> 00:00:04.593 Hello. Here to present the decisions from today's 00:00:04.714 --> 00:00:08.092 167th government meeting are Deputy Prime Minister 00:00:08.213 --> 00:00:11.337 Matej Arčon and Justice Minister Andreja Katič. 00:00:11.458 --> 00:00:13.786 Minister Arčon, the floor is yours. 00:00:13.940 --> 00:00:15.999 Thank you and hello. 00:00:16.113 --> 00:00:22.986 We discussed two regular topics of recent meetings, 00:00:23.146 --> 00:00:27.086 namely the budget and cohesion, 00:00:27.213 --> 00:00:30.946 and we're paying close attention to the budget 00:00:31.106 --> 00:00:35.293 because it will be discussed and enter parliamentary procedure 00:00:35.414 --> 00:00:38.533 at the September 25 meeting, 00:00:38.661 --> 00:00:41.606 while the cohesion policy will see changes 00:00:41.740 --> 00:00:45.512 that are subject to weekly inter-ministerial coordination 00:00:45.660 --> 00:00:50.133 and will be sent to Brussels along with 00:00:50.313 --> 00:00:53.146 the reports we're issuing. 00:00:53.273 --> 00:00:56.779 At today's meeting, we took on an amendment 00:00:56.933 --> 00:01:02.019 to the Slovenians Abroad Act, which falls under my jurisdiction. 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:05.752 I'm honored and pleased 00:01:05.873 --> 00:01:12.933 in part because Italian President Matarella, 00:01:13.080 --> 00:01:17.619 at all the working visits he conducted yesterday, 00:01:17.773 --> 00:01:20.773 joined the President, the Prime Minister, 00:01:20.946 --> 00:01:23.546 and the Speaker in emphasizing the role 00:01:23.667 --> 00:01:25.805 and importance of our minority. 00:01:25.926 --> 00:01:29.713 The legislation may be technical in nature, 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:33.019 but it strengthens economic cooperation 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:35.566 and collaboration between Slovenia 00:01:35.726 --> 00:01:38.619 and our minority in neighboring countries, 00:01:38.773 --> 00:01:41.239 where most Slovenians abroad live. 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:44.606 This way, we're strengthening Slovenian identity 00:01:44.766 --> 00:01:49.593 and the position of Slovenians. This change is the result 00:01:49.714 --> 00:01:53.199 of a pilot project in the Rába Valley, 00:01:53.393 --> 00:01:57.719 where we used financial measures to encourage 00:01:57.866 --> 00:02:02.438 Slovenian entrepreneurs in the region 00:02:02.559 --> 00:02:06.666 to carry on their work. 00:02:06.800 --> 00:02:10.253 We'll implement this over the next four years 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:13.579 in other Slovenian areas across the border. 00:02:13.746 --> 00:02:17.779 We'll approve a rulebook and funding program. 00:02:17.933 --> 00:02:21.659 We'll also forge mutual ties 00:02:21.766 --> 00:02:25.232 and strengthen them by bringing together 00:02:25.366 --> 00:02:29.586 Slovenian entrepreneurs from around the world. 00:02:29.720 --> 00:02:34.606 This change also allows the partial funding 00:02:34.746 --> 00:02:38.306 of European Associations for Territorial Cooperation, 00:02:38.427 --> 00:02:40.526 of which Slovenia has several. 00:02:40.686 --> 00:02:43.893 They form an important bond between the homeland 00:02:44.026 --> 00:02:46.979 and Slovenians abroad, while having an impact 00:02:47.100 --> 00:02:49.433 on the relations between countries. 00:02:49.573 --> 00:02:53.053 We know of Go, a European Association for Territorial 00:02:53.174 --> 00:02:57.146 Cooperation, which has been a pioneer in the field 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:00.106 and has served as a EU role model. 00:03:00.273 --> 00:03:05.919 Slovenia now has the legal basis for providing funding help 00:03:06.066 --> 00:03:10.186 to newly established European associations in the area. 00:03:10.306 --> 00:03:14.326 We have some important, encouraging news 00:03:14.446 --> 00:03:16.992 from the field of sports. 00:03:17.113 --> 00:03:23.113 We've increased hiring quotas 00:03:23.273 --> 00:03:29.353 for top athletes and coaches in administrative bodies 00:03:29.474 --> 00:03:32.832 for the next two years by increasing the number 00:03:32.953 --> 00:03:38.499 of such job positions to 21 in financial administration, 00:03:38.686 --> 00:03:45.259 59 in the police force, and 103 in the armed forces. 00:03:45.426 --> 00:03:51.286 We ended the meeting with a closed session, 00:03:51.453 --> 00:03:54.653 where we unanimously passed a resolution 00:03:54.793 --> 00:04:01.033 that Milorad Dodik be prohibited from entering Slovenia. 00:04:01.160 --> 00:04:04.466 The rationale for the decision remains classified, 00:04:04.600 --> 00:04:08.859 while the resolution goes into effect today. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:13.639 Thank you. Questions from the media. Luka Mlakar, N1. 00:04:13.793 --> 00:04:17.853 Minister, you mentioned the closed session. 00:04:17.974 --> 00:04:22.513 You said that the rationale is classified, but could you 00:04:22.633 --> 00:04:25.926 nevertheless tell us more about what this measure 00:04:26.047 --> 00:04:29.332 means in practice and what message the government 00:04:29.493 --> 00:04:35.386 is sending to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where the situation 00:04:35.606 --> 00:04:39.853 is volatile and can quickly deteriorate? 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:43.266 You mentioned that the decision was unanimous. 00:04:43.433 --> 00:04:46.952 Was there any debate about the possible consequences 00:04:47.113 --> 00:04:51.219 of this measure and what it means for relations with Serbia 00:04:51.373 --> 00:04:53.513 and the Republic of Srpska. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:57.532 If the classified status were lifted, 00:04:57.653 --> 00:05:01.466 I'd be able to answer your question. 00:05:01.633 --> 00:05:04.839 Unfortunately, I can't, but I can tell you 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:08.319 that we recently has a prolonged debate. 00:05:08.466 --> 00:05:12.046 There was no debate today. The resolution means 00:05:12.193 --> 00:05:15.719 that Mr. Dodik has no entry into Slovenia 00:05:15.840 --> 00:05:19.432 If he enters, he'll be returned to his country. 00:05:19.546 --> 00:05:23.573 After the meeting, Finance Minister Boštjančič told the press 00:05:23.806 --> 00:05:26.759 that possible consequences of such decisions 00:05:26.913 --> 00:05:30.132 need to be considered. Did the government discuss 00:05:30.273 --> 00:05:35.812 the economic or foreign-policy consequences of its decision? 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:41.927 The rationale was very cogent and well-argued, 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:45.219 so there was no opposition and the decision 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:47.020 was made unanimously. 00:05:47.141 --> 00:05:51.339 There was talk in recent weeks 00:05:51.460 --> 00:05:54.853 that similar sanctions could be imposed 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:58.672 on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. 00:05:58.826 --> 00:06:01.899 Why was only Dodik brought up, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:05.366 and not Netanyahu? -The Prime Minister instructed 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:08.846 the Foreign Ministry to prepare the documentation, 00:06:08.986 --> 00:06:13.172 and the procedure was launched, but so we haven't yet discussed 00:06:13.293 --> 00:06:17.506 any sanctions against Netanyahu. 00:06:19.673 --> 00:06:24.852 Lara Draškovič, STA. Will you do that in the weeks ahead? 00:06:24.993 --> 00:06:28.692 Is that something that the government is considering? 00:06:28.813 --> 00:06:35.072 The decision hasn't been made yet. The answer may be yes, 00:06:35.193 --> 00:06:39.493 but I can't confirm it 100%. 00:06:39.733 --> 00:06:42.972 Let's switch to a different subject. 00:06:43.093 --> 00:06:45.246 Nastja Stopar, TV Slovenia. 00:06:45.380 --> 00:06:50.066 Why have you decided to make 00:06:50.200 --> 00:06:53.332 the rationale a secret? 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:59.972 I can share the explanation from the relevant body, 00:07:00.133 --> 00:07:02.379 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 00:07:02.520 --> 00:07:06.779 They determined that some information was so important 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:10.966 and confidential that it shouldn't be shared right now. 00:07:11.086 --> 00:07:18.499 I've chosen to abide by the government agreement. 00:07:18.606 --> 00:07:22.279 You can ask the Foreign Ministry why this portion 00:07:22.426 --> 00:07:24.886 has remained legally classified. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:30.239 Do the sanctions apply solely to Dodik or also his family? 00:07:30.393 --> 00:07:32.246 Just to him. 00:07:33.006 --> 00:07:36.626 You mentioned that the government will debate sanctions 00:07:36.760 --> 00:07:40.446 against Netanyahu. Why is this taking so long 00:07:40.593 --> 00:07:44.459 when the situation in Gaza isn't changing much 00:07:44.586 --> 00:07:52.559 and Israel is carrying on its attacks? 00:07:52.960 --> 00:07:56.126 The war is ongoing, and the flow 00:07:56.293 --> 00:07:59.792 of humanitarian aid isn't any bigger now. 00:07:59.913 --> 00:08:01.913 Why is the government waiting? 00:08:02.080 --> 00:08:07.552 We have enough competent experts in this country 00:08:07.713 --> 00:08:14.152 to determine the right time and reason for this. 00:08:15.146 --> 00:08:19.599 Thank you. -On a different subject, 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:24.200 can you confirm that the government is preparing to reduce 00:08:24.433 --> 00:08:27.112 the tax burden on sole proprietors? 00:08:27.266 --> 00:08:30.652 If so, what approach are you taking? 00:08:30.786 --> 00:08:34.552 Economic Development Minister Matjaž Han has come out 00:08:34.713 --> 00:08:36.666 in favor of this. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:44.472 Right now, I can only confirm that the Prime Minister 00:08:44.646 --> 00:08:50.159 has been spending a lot of time on this subject, 00:08:50.326 --> 00:08:53.012 along with the Finance Minister. 00:08:53.113 --> 00:08:57.866 I can confirm that the debate is moving toward reducing 00:08:58.040 --> 00:09:02.426 the tax burden of sole proprietors, to the their benefit. 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:06.840 How and when this will be done will be announced 00:09:06.986 --> 00:09:09.546 in the weeks ahead. 00:09:09.667 --> 00:09:13.826 Are you basing this on measures in effect before the tightening 00:09:13.986 --> 00:09:17.840 of the tax reform? Or are you responding to what 00:09:17.961 --> 00:09:21.646 they brought to you attention in recent months? 00:09:21.826 --> 00:09:26.619 Absolutely. We're not infallible as a government. 00:09:26.793 --> 00:09:32.266 We listen to the people, and in this case, 00:09:32.406 --> 00:09:37.072 the ministry conducted an analysis, we checked the fiscal capacity 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:43.277 of the state, and went through the pros and cons. 00:09:43.426 --> 00:09:47.906 We're now preparing changes that will be announced 00:09:48.027 --> 00:09:51.486 by either the Finance Minister or the Prime Minister 00:09:51.607 --> 00:09:53.219 in the weeks ahead. 00:09:53.353 --> 00:09:56.746 Can we understand this as the government's reaction 00:09:56.873 --> 00:09:59.639 to NSi's legislative proposals, 00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:03.692 namely that the taxation of standardized sole proprietors 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:06.446 is returned to the previous level? 00:10:06.564 --> 00:10:12.683 No. We analyzed the situation 00:10:12.803 --> 00:10:18.876 and will find better solutions where we can. 00:10:19.558 --> 00:10:23.504 Over the next few weeks, 00:10:23.780 --> 00:10:27.488 the Prime Minister will share some news 00:10:27.608 --> 00:10:32.510 that will have a positive effect on our citizens. 00:10:33.723 --> 00:10:39.276 Any more questions? Thank you and goodbye. -Thank you. 00:10:39.552 --> 00:10:43.143 Now, the Minister of Justice Andreja Katič will join us. 00:10:43.848 --> 00:10:48.009 She will present the Government's decision 00:10:48.130 --> 00:10:51.543 relating to the Justice Department. 00:10:53.436 --> 00:10:57.179 Hello. The Government passed 00:10:57.299 --> 00:11:01.288 the proposal for the Amendment on cooperation 00:11:01.408 --> 00:11:06.089 with EU countries. This is the main act 00:11:06.209 --> 00:11:09.726 regarding cooperation among the EU countries. 00:11:09.847 --> 00:11:15.543 The amendment increases the efficiency of our cooperation, 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:19.443 brings better legal certainty and more efficient procedures. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:23.310 We want to pass it quickly 00:11:23.430 --> 00:11:28.243 because we are fixing shortcomings with transposing directives. 00:11:28.496 --> 00:11:33.676 We are implementing solutions that we saw were needed. 00:11:34.467 --> 00:11:39.242 We changed the process of sharing the data from criminal records 00:11:39.362 --> 00:11:44.343 among the EU countries and the process of seizing assets. 00:11:44.744 --> 00:11:48.910 There are improvements regarding the European arrest warrant, 00:11:49.030 --> 00:11:51.361 the evidence warrant 00:11:51.481 --> 00:11:56.142 and carrying out a prison sentence or another measure in other country. 00:11:56.848 --> 00:12:03.317 The EU already has a system for sharing the data on convictions, 00:12:03.437 --> 00:12:08.288 the so-called ECRIS. If a Slovenian citizen is convicted abroad, 00:12:08.408 --> 00:12:12.110 this is noted in our records as well. 00:12:12.588 --> 00:12:16.310 Countries get the data from the home country of a convicted person. 00:12:16.664 --> 00:12:20.209 The most important change is 00:12:20.329 --> 00:12:23.510 a new record, ECRIS-TCN, 00:12:23.801 --> 00:12:28.810 which will include the data of third countries citizens. 00:12:29.187 --> 00:12:34.569 Until now, we had to ask all other countries for the data 00:12:34.689 --> 00:12:39.428 which took a lot of time. In the future, every country 00:12:39.548 --> 00:12:41.829 that convicts a third country citizen, 00:12:41.950 --> 00:12:47.135 will have to enter it in the system. 00:12:47.255 --> 00:12:50.043 They will enter their fingerprints as well. 00:12:50.254 --> 00:12:54.276 The system will start working at the end of the year. 00:12:54.653 --> 00:12:58.543 The Ministry of Justice will manage records 00:12:58.771 --> 00:13:04.006 and lead procedures 00:13:04.126 --> 00:13:08.587 regarding ECRIS-TCN. When it comes to personal information, 00:13:08.708 --> 00:13:11.446 it is possible to get prints from the police 00:13:11.566 --> 00:13:15.510 if they were acquired during a criminal procedure. 00:13:16.098 --> 00:13:19.966 Jails will be responsible 00:13:20.086 --> 00:13:23.143 to take fingerprints for the record 00:13:23.263 --> 00:13:26.676 if the police has not taken them yet. 00:13:27.201 --> 00:13:31.901 ECRIS-TCN is connected to the interoperability project 00:13:32.162 --> 00:13:36.810 that is connecting records in the EU, 00:13:37.015 --> 00:13:41.810 criminal records, visas, arrivals and so on. 00:13:42.031 --> 00:13:45.310 The goal is to faster identify people, 00:13:45.515 --> 00:13:48.810 prevent fraud and discover crime. 00:13:49.148 --> 00:13:53.810 The interoperability system will start functioning in 2027. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:58.195 Seizing assets on the EU level 00:13:58.315 --> 00:14:01.324 is regulated in a directive. 00:14:01.444 --> 00:14:07.843 Slovenia included some provisions in our legislation already in 2020, 00:14:08.283 --> 00:14:11.652 but it was not clear 00:14:11.772 --> 00:14:15.010 who has the authority regarding certain issues. 00:14:15.270 --> 00:14:17.926 Courts thought they did not have the authority 00:14:18.046 --> 00:14:21.324 to decide on dividing costs or giving assets to another country, 00:14:21.444 --> 00:14:24.973 so the Government made the decision. The Amendment defines 00:14:25.093 --> 00:14:29.743 criteria to give assets to another country and how to divide costs. 00:14:29.863 --> 00:14:34.843 In the future, courts will make these decisions. 00:14:35.485 --> 00:14:38.775 The Commission said we wrongly transposed 00:14:38.895 --> 00:14:42.076 the decision on the European arrest warrant. 00:14:42.266 --> 00:14:48.543 We made adjustments. Courts will have more say. 00:14:48.663 --> 00:14:51.910 They will have to take all the circumstances into account 00:14:52.030 --> 00:14:56.043 and will be able to deny the handover, only if it is justified. 00:14:56.326 --> 00:14:59.476 They can carry out the order themselves 00:14:59.533 --> 00:15:03.080 and a proportionality test has to be done. 00:15:03.353 --> 00:15:06.646 The key solutions regarding the European Investigation Order 00:15:06.773 --> 00:15:08.320 or Evidence Warrant are 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:10.793 that processes and conditions of a temporary transfer 00:15:10.966 --> 00:15:13.913 of the detained persons to another Member State are arranged, 00:15:14.113 --> 00:15:17.933 when their presence is necessary for conducting an investigation. 00:15:18.113 --> 00:15:21.253 The possibilities for shipment control have been expanded. 00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:24.166 Now, police can trace the objects, 00:15:24.253 --> 00:15:27.386 which are the evidence of a crime or connected with a crime, 00:15:27.566 --> 00:15:29.666 and not only the prohibited goods. 00:15:29.846 --> 00:15:33.306 This improves the efficiency of the international investigations. 00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:37.773 I would also like to emphasize the regulating of alternative sanctions 00:15:37.853 --> 00:15:39.453 in another Member State. 00:15:39.626 --> 00:15:44.220 Until now, Slovenia could accept a community service from abroad, 00:15:44.386 --> 00:15:46.693 but it wasn't able to transfer it elsewhere. 00:15:46.873 --> 00:15:50.640 A detained person who wanted to carry out a penalty in another Member State 00:15:50.826 --> 00:15:55.213 wasn't allowed to do so, until now. With this amendment 00:15:55.433 --> 00:15:57.311 the conditions are fulfilled 00:15:57.431 --> 00:16:00.416 that Slovenia can transfer a community service 00:16:00.536 --> 00:16:02.493 to another Member State. 00:16:02.746 --> 00:16:06.666 This means a better flexibility, observing the interests of persons 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:09.553 and a better cooperation between Member States. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.726 This amendment brings important improvements 00:16:12.853 --> 00:16:14.946 for judicial cooperation in the EU, 00:16:15.146 --> 00:16:18.633 its goals are more efficient, transparent and fairer processes 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:23.880 for individuals, law enforcement and judicial officers. 00:16:24.133 --> 00:16:28.053 Thank you, Minister. The questions from the press. Luka Mlakar. 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:31.520 Good day. I have just one question. 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:37.193 Minister Arčon has explained that the government adopted 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:42.033 sanctions against Mr. Dodik. He is not allowed to enter the country. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:47.646 Some other states that opted for similar sanctions against Mr. Dodik, 00:16:47.793 --> 00:16:54.100 have adopted the assets freezing in their territories as well. 00:16:54.413 --> 00:16:59.046 In the Slovenian press there were a lot stories lately 00:16:59.266 --> 00:17:03.873 on hypothetical assets or assets of the family Dodik 00:17:04.213 --> 00:17:08.613 through shell owners on Slovenian coast. I mean the real estate here. 00:17:08.773 --> 00:17:12.146 Why our government hasn't decided for this measure? 00:17:12.253 --> 00:17:17.066 Are there some issues or this isn't possible under our legislation? 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:23.100 The Minister before me has told you which part is open for public. 00:17:23.266 --> 00:17:26.933 He has explained this and for all other questions 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:29.740 you should turn to the competent Ministry. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:34.793 I have to say that this Act in some parts regulates, 00:17:34.946 --> 00:17:39.106 I believe it is the Article 224 A-V, a deprivation of property, 00:17:39.373 --> 00:17:41.551 but not a deprivation of property 00:17:41.671 --> 00:17:44.866 under the Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime Act. 00:17:46.493 --> 00:17:52.400 Yes. Nastja Stopar. -Will you take judicial action against Dodik? 00:17:52.886 --> 00:17:58.313 For now, I can only tell you what was adopted at the government's meeting. 00:17:58.446 --> 00:18:00.920 For everything else, it's too soon to say anything. 00:18:01.080 --> 00:18:04.446 Another topic. An exploitation of foreign workers. 00:18:04.613 --> 00:18:08.386 Recently, another case was revealed. I would like to know 00:18:08.553 --> 00:18:12.226 your opinion to the critique that the sanctions are too mild. 00:18:12.353 --> 00:18:14.706 Could the courts be more efficient? 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:17.626 With the amendment that was adopted by the government 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:21.320 and will be discussed at the beginning of October, 00:18:21.573 --> 00:18:26.480 we did everything to enable the courts to be more efficient. 00:18:26.613 --> 00:18:30.113 This was our main purpose and it was a timely 00:18:30.280 --> 00:18:35.873 and expeditious justice for everyone, regardless of where they live. 00:18:36.033 --> 00:18:38.560 Our sanctions are determined in a range. 00:18:38.713 --> 00:18:41.853 When we compared our penal code 00:18:42.126 --> 00:18:45.513 with penal codes of other Member states we can say 00:18:45.606 --> 00:18:51.773 that our penalties are among the highest in the EU. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:57.053 But it varies in every case, what sanction the prosecutor will request 00:18:57.193 --> 00:18:59.093 and what the judge will decide. 00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:03.893 Do you agree that legal entities should be sanctioned, not companies? 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:06.653 Who has to regulate this area? 00:19:06.806 --> 00:19:09.826 Does this fall under commercial law? 00:19:10.126 --> 00:19:14.866 Regarding the workers' exploitation, our legislation is regulated. 00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:17.780 As an executive branch of the government we have to ensure 00:19:17.953 --> 00:19:22.293 that the law enforcement and courts have all conditions 00:19:22.433 --> 00:19:26.560 to do their task. I wish they would do it as soon as possible. 00:19:26.686 --> 00:19:30.540 Of course, the police, inspection and other services have to work 00:19:30.666 --> 00:19:33.753 to be followed through at the court. 00:19:33.853 --> 00:19:38.640 As far as real legal cases go, I can't comment on current affairs 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.906 as a Minister of Justice. 00:19:41.326 --> 00:19:44.906 If I understand correctly, the legislation is such 00:19:45.053 --> 00:19:47.340 that a company is being sanctioned instead of a legal entity 00:19:47.513 --> 00:19:51.566 who can have more companies. Should you change the legislation? 00:19:51.826 --> 00:19:56.800 I'm not sure what you are asking me, because I don't know this case. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:59.740 In general. -The culprit must be held accountable. 00:20:00.226 --> 00:20:03.786 The one that police recognizes as such and gives to the prosecutor 00:20:03.926 --> 00:20:06.800 that takes the process to the court. 00:20:08.113 --> 00:20:11.360 All right. -Anyone else? Otherwise, the press conference is over. 00:20:11.507 --> 00:20:13.193 Thank you, Minister. -Thank you. 00:20:13.367 --> 00:20:16.747 Thank you, dear colleagues. Have a nice day.