WEBVTT

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Hello and welcome to today's
press conference marking

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the state visit by President
Emmanuel Macron

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of France to Slovenia.

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I now give the floor to the host,
Prime Minister Robert Golob.

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Dear President of the French
Republic,

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my friend Emmanuel,

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welcome to Slovenia
and Ljubljana.

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Your visit yesterday and today

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are proof not just of
the friendship between our nations

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and of personal bonds,

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but mostly of our common
commitment

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to do everything needed to ensure
that the business sector,

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both within Europe
and most of all

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between Slovenia and France,
works together for the future.

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The efforts we're making
to connect

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the business communities
of the two countries

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have a single focus,

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namely the belief that if Europe
wants to remain globally

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competitive, it must find
European solutions,

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where we rely on ourselves,

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where most of the value chain
is created in Europe

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and where we can build the strategic
autonomy of Europe

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and our economy.

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I'm very pleased not just with
what we've achieved so far,

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and today we were able to
see a concrete result

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in the form of the Twingo
electric car,

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which was conceived in Slovenia
and will be produced here

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with the help of French investors,
the Renault Group.

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The factory will be the only one
in Europe to produce this model,

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with which Europe
intends to compete

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against cheaper foreign
competitors.

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But our work doesn't
stop there.

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We won't stop after
a single positive result

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or a single product.

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Yesterday, we looked at one possible
form of collaboration,

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namely logistics,
at the Port of Koper,

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while today's agreement
on nuclear energy

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and education allows us to open up
new chapters and possibilities.

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I'm grateful to the president

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for our exchange of views,
not just on the present,

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but mostly on the future,
of all the sectors

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where Slovenia and France
can set up even stronger bonds

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and where we can create new value
and knowledge, in everything

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from green technology,
such as battery systems

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an AI, all the way up to space.

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Slovenia has a lot to offer.

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We have plenty of people
with plenty of knowledge.

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France is a much bigger country,

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but it's also open to collaboration
with anyone who wants it.

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And that's the greatest achievement
of this visit.

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We want to work together
on European solutions for Europeans.

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I trust that we'll apply
this knowledge

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and sustained, joint investment
in innovation

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to retain not just
our competitiveness

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but ultimately also
social welfare,

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which makes Europe such a unique
place to live in.

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Thank you to everyone,

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and most of all thank you,
dear Emmanuel.

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Thank you. I now invite
the President

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of the French Republic
Emmanuel Macron to take the stage.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, dear Robert,
Mr. Prime Minister,

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ministers, Madam Ambassador,
ladies and gentlemen.

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I'd like to thank Prime Minister
Golob once again

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for his warm welcome
over the past two days,

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first at yesterday's MED9
Summit in Portorož,

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but also yesterday in Koper
and today in Ljubljana.

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You put it well, Robert,
Mr. Prime Minister.

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Slovenia and France
are following the European plan

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and have much in common. We saw that
during yesterday's discussion

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and last night's working visit.

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We have the same view
on most international affairs.

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We support Ukraine and are working
for a robust and lasting peace

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that will ensure the security
of all Europeans.

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We also have the same view
of the situation in the Middle East.

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We both want a clear framework
for a lasting peace,

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which can only be achieved
through a two-state solution.

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All our work with European
and Arab partners

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in collaboration with the U.S.
is directed toward a ceasefire

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and the return of hostages,
which is now ongoing.

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A robust and lasting peace will
require plenty of diplomatic effort

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in the legal, governmental,
security, and political fields.

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Yesterday's talks with the King
of Jordan on the MED9 sidelines

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is an important moment.

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We'll discuss this topic together
next week at the Council of Europe.

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We also have the same approach
to European competitiveness.

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We'd like to turn Europe
into a continent of innovation

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that will be able to protect itself
from unfair competition,

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to simplify and expedite procedures,

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to make things cheaper and faster,

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to respond to climate change,

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and to keep pace with innovation.

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We have a very clear working plan

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that we'll discuss
at the European Council.

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We share the same view.

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We'll need to expedite the process.

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We know what we need to do.
The Commission has prepared several

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suggestions, but our competition
is moving ever faster.

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We're facing American tariffs
on one side

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and a deteriorated exchange rate
on the other,

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as well as an increasingly
aggressive China

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in the post-Covid period,

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but mostly because
of indirect effects

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of American tariffs
on the Chinese economy.

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This puts European industry
under great pressure,

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so it will need to respond
much faster and more determinedly.

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Yesterday's discussion proved
that we agree on this.

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Our bilateral working plan
reflects that.

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At the Port of Koper
yesterday, we signed

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a shipping and logistics agreement
with CMA CGM.

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This is the first stage
that will allow us to proceed.

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Your country has become a logistical
entry point

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for international trade
with Central Europe

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as it's marked by a high degree of
interconnection and intermodality.

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This is the first stage of
a partnership we wish to strengthen.

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Today we've strengthened our
industrial partnership

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with Renault's plant in Novo Mesto.

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This is an important step.
We're talking about a historic,

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even legendary Renault plant,

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where the Renault 4
and the Clio were made,

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and where the electric
Twingo will now be manufactured.

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The French facilities
in Maubeuge in Douai

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are making the electric
Renault 4 and 5,

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keeping us at the forefront of
the transition to electric vehicles.

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We'll complement the range
with Novo Mesto,

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which is important for both Slovenia
and European manufacturing.

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This gives us an advantage in
the struggle for European industry

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and the European automotive
sector.

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We'd like to protect
European industry

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and the capacity
of the automotive industry

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so we're in favor
of the European Commission's plan,

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which is necessary if we wish
to support the decision

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we talked about this morning.

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We need to protect industry
from unfair competition,

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which is what the Commission
is doing with electric vehicles.

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We need to become more competitive,
especially in the first segment,

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reduce legislative restrictions,
be more flexible

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with the transition and support
it with additional funds,

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and, most of all, protect
the European supply chain,

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whether dealing with manufacturers
or subcontractors.

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That's why we need to promote
electric batteries

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and innovative materials.

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We also signed an agreement
on education and nuclear power.

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This strengthens the strategic
partnership we signed

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14 years ago even further.

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I'm glad that we chose the field

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of education and the promotion
of French.

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We'd like to see a partnership
in the field of nuclear energy,

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not just a trade partnership,

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but a true strategic
partnership

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that would give your country
an opportunity

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to manufacture everything
from turbines

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to solutions
for radioactive waste.

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We'd like to contribute
to much better energy integration

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of Slovenia in the region
and Europe,

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thereby improving
its competitiveness.

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That's our vision for France,
for Europe,

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and for this partnership:

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to make our industry more
competitive and decarbonized

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and to achieve greater
energy independence.

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The bilateral working plan
clearly demonstrates

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that France sees Slovenia
as a key European partner

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in the center
of our strategic plan.

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We'd like to build
on the foundations set up

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by our predecessors 14 years ago,
which also had

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a much longer history.

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The Renault plant itself
proves that.

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Mr. Prime Minister, dear Robert,
thank you for your hospitality

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and our thorough
exchange of opinions.

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I was thrilled to come here,
to get to know your country

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and your capital, and to see
its potential, its young people.

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Yesterday, we also talked
about our partnership

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in the field of innovation, space,

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but also healthcare
and pharmaceuticals.

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These are all areas where we'd
like to go further. Thank you.

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Thank you. We'll now
take some questions.

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The first question
is for the Prime Minister.

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Please introduce yourself
before you ask your question.

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Hello. Bergant, RTV Slovenia.
A question for Mr. Golob.

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Can you give us some details
about your meeting

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at the Port of Koper yesterday?
What does that mean for the port?

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It's clear that the CMA CGM
shipping line

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is one of the largest
in the world.

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They feel that the location
of the Port of Koper

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is so strategic for access
to Central Europe

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that they're prepared
for large-scale investment

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in logistics in Slovenia.

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An agreement about
investment in a joint company

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was signed yesterday.

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It will work with the Port of Koper
to improve the flow of goods,

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namely cars for Central Europe,
outside the port itself.

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I believe this is the first step,
but it's certainly not the last.

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I'm sure we'll see new opportunities
elsewhere in Slovenia

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and that other transportation
companies in the country

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will find collaboration
opportunities on similar projects.

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Thank you. I ask the reporter
from French television

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to ask President Macron
her question.

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Hello Mr. Prime Minister,
Mr. President. Valerie Leroux, AFP.

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Regarding Ukraine,
the U.S. President has again

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come closer to his Russian
counterpart.

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What do you expect from Donald Trump
at the Budapest summit?

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In the end, that will depend
on the Ukrainians.

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Will territorial concessions
be a part of the agreement?

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I also have a question
about Gaza.

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Are you concerned about
the ceasefire there?

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How will you demand
that Netanyahu

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allows the distribution
of humanitarian aid?

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Thank you for your questions.
We realize that Gaza

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is a sensitive issue.
Hamas must abide by its commitments,

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and we must insist that both sides
maintain the ceasefire.

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That's one reason why we want
to remain engaged with our European

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and Arab partners, as well
as the U.S.,

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so we can provide fast
access to humanitarian aid

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and ensure that food and medicine
reach the population.

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This way, we'll help
the most vulnerable people

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who must leave Gaza
to be treated in hospitals.

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The rest is a political matter.

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We support the UN Security Council
resolution

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that will set up a framework
for governance and security.

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As for Ukraine, our position
has remained unchanged.

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Until the war is over,
we'll continue

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to provide Ukraine with military
and financial assistance.

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Europe is doing it
and will continue with it.

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With the approach of the Commission
we will take care of further support

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which different programs that
we are pursuing are meant for.

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With it we want
to bring about peace.

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From the last January
we are listening

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that Russia wants peace.
Last March

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President Zelensky clearly expressed
a will to sign the peace treaty,

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but Russia has never
responded to that.

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If something is to change

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we insist
on stable and lasting peace

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with the proposed
security assurances.

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We have finalised this
within the coalition of the willing,

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which will meet again
on Friday.

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I will preside it together with
the Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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We will include
the President Zelensky as well.

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Security assurances are ready.

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Territorial negotiations
shall follow

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where only Zelensky can participate
in the name of his country.

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Nobody else.

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Ukraine should decide
about itself and its territory

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and Europe about
itself and its security.

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This is the only possibility
to shift something.

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Thank you. Please, ask the second
question for the Prime Minister.

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Dr Golob,
this is Bergant of RTV Slovenija.

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Can you tell us
more about a treaty

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in the field of nuclear energy
and technology, please?

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France is ...

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France is
a European nuclear superpower,

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a state that is making its
decarbonised future

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on developing nuclear energy.

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It is also the only state in Europe
that is investing in development

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of the whole chain
of the added value.

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From making individual components
for nuclear power plants,

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a nuclear power plant as a whole,
managing it

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and also searching for solutions
in the network.

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In the past it was proved
that the experts

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from the Krško nuclear power plant

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are among the best in the world
with their knowledge.

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When the experts from one side
and the other, French and Slovenian,

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found their common ground

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they gained mutual respect

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and an idea of cooperation.

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With an agreement
which was signed today

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we are opening the door
for further cooperation,

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but also the door
where Slovenia can,

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if and when it decides

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on building a second
nuclear reactor unit in Krško,

00:17:55.111 --> 00:17:58.398
choose between
two equally high-grade

00:17:58.481 --> 00:18:00.353
and competent providers.

00:18:00.436 --> 00:18:03.499
Not only the American technology,
which we already have,

00:18:03.582 --> 00:18:06.582
but the French technology as well.

00:18:07.045 --> 00:18:10.818
I believe, that when we can choose
between two providers

00:18:10.901 --> 00:18:14.319
that are equal
we can choose a solution

00:18:14.402 --> 00:18:17.216
that will be the best for Slovenia
in the long-term

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:21.472
and will give this project
a real regional nature.

00:18:21.555 --> 00:18:23.156
We are often listening

00:18:23.239 --> 00:18:25.206
that building
a new nuclear power plant

00:18:25.289 --> 00:18:27.984
might be overreaching for Slovenia.

00:18:28.067 --> 00:18:31.474
It is true, we are not planning this
for Slovenia exclusively,

00:18:31.557 --> 00:18:33.299
we are planning it as a facility,

00:18:33.382 --> 00:18:36.386
with which a region
of South-Eastern Europe

00:18:36.469 --> 00:18:40.128
can fulfil a big part
of its needs for electrical energy.

00:18:40.211 --> 00:18:43.365
This is one of the advantages,
if you wish,

00:18:43.448 --> 00:18:46.450
which the French providers
can offer.

00:18:46.533 --> 00:18:50.428
How to include such a power plant
in the wider supply in the region.

00:18:50.511 --> 00:18:52.931
We have talked about this today,

00:18:53.014 --> 00:18:55.999
but there is enough time for it.
We all know

00:18:56.083 --> 00:18:58.803
that right now the integration
in space is underway

00:18:58.886 --> 00:19:01.186
and on our side

00:19:01.270 --> 00:19:05.317
sometime at the end of 2027
or in the beginning of 2028

00:19:05.576 --> 00:19:09.891
we will be in position
to introduce it to the public

00:19:10.001 --> 00:19:12.348
and business world as well,

00:19:12.432 --> 00:19:15.402
how and above all
under what conditions

00:19:15.485 --> 00:19:20.423
would building of a second nuclear
reactor unit in Krško proceed.

00:19:20.614 --> 00:19:23.634
Then the referendum comes
and the citizens will decide.

00:19:23.717 --> 00:19:27.901
I know that GEN energija
as a project developer

00:19:27.985 --> 00:19:30.471
together with partners,
French ones too,

00:19:30.554 --> 00:19:32.314
has to prepare
the best project

00:19:32.397 --> 00:19:35.343
to convince the Slovenian public

00:19:35.426 --> 00:19:40.593
that this project is something
that Slovenia wants to enter.

00:19:40.685 --> 00:19:45.996
Thank you. Now we have a question of
a media outlet AFP's representative

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.996
for President Macron.

00:19:48.583 --> 00:19:52.293
Hello, Mr Prime Minister,
Mr President. Christelle Miral.

00:19:52.376 --> 00:19:55.393
Mr President, it happened
for the first time in Europe

00:19:55.476 --> 00:19:59.172
that a former President
Nicolas Sarkozy was imprisoned.

00:19:59.255 --> 00:20:03.785
Would you say that this
is making France look bad?

00:20:03.869 --> 00:20:10.656
What does it mean
for other politicians?

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:17.200
European countries
are raising retirement ages.

00:20:17.446 --> 00:20:24.036
The France government
has given up on this reform.

00:20:24.308 --> 00:20:28.152
Was this unavoidable?

00:20:28.236 --> 00:20:33.793
Would you support a referendum
on this issue? Thank you.

00:20:36.225 --> 00:20:39.058
As far as the retirement
age goes,

00:20:40.037 --> 00:20:42.454
we can't deny facts.

00:20:42.825 --> 00:20:44.425
We are getting older.

00:20:45.103 --> 00:20:49.504
All European countries that are
getting older, are raising the age,

00:20:49.587 --> 00:20:51.654
although we have
different systems.

00:20:51.737 --> 00:20:54.516
We talked about it
with the Prime Minister.

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:59.892
They have a higher retirement age,
but a lower pensionable service.

00:20:59.975 --> 00:21:04.526
Our system has a lot of specifics
that we need to take into account.

00:21:04.609 --> 00:21:07.336
The average retirement age
is 67 years,

00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:09.019
but this doesn't matter.

00:21:09.807 --> 00:21:16.769
I think we need the reform.

00:21:17.563 --> 00:21:20.639
It was a part of my campaign

00:21:20.722 --> 00:21:24.555
when I was advocating
for the retirement age of 65 years.

00:21:24.750 --> 00:21:30.919
In 2023,
the opposition was against it

00:21:31.875 --> 00:21:37.727
which led to a no-confidence vote
to the government.

00:21:38.396 --> 00:21:43.037
The Prime Minister
wanted to calm the debate.

00:21:43.934 --> 00:21:48.372
We just postponed the reform

00:21:48.807 --> 00:21:52.460
and will continue
step by step.

00:21:52.550 --> 00:21:54.195
Instead of 1 January, 2027,

00:21:54.278 --> 00:22:00.747
we will raise the retirement age
to 63 on 1 January, 2028.

00:22:01.097 --> 00:22:06.366
As the Prime Minister said,
we will finance it with savings.

00:22:07.603 --> 00:22:09.498
He wanted to calm the debate

00:22:09.581 --> 00:22:12.710
and now,
the Parliament has to discuss it.

00:22:12.793 --> 00:22:16.210
This is the job of the government
and the Parliament.

00:22:16.665 --> 00:22:18.903
I can only say

00:22:19.525 --> 00:22:23.014
that our system,
which is based

00:22:23.097 --> 00:22:26.847
on workers paying
for pensioners,

00:22:28.312 --> 00:22:32.050
isn't in line
with our current retirement age.

00:22:32.133 --> 00:22:38.789
We postponed 65 years to 2033
and we will have to talk about it.

00:22:38.873 --> 00:22:44.136
I am glad the Prime Minister
opened the debate again

00:22:44.933 --> 00:22:49.857
and that trade unions and employers
agree with it.

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:52.285
We have to think it through.

00:22:52.368 --> 00:22:57.699
We won't stop aging
if we make a necessary compromise

00:22:57.783 --> 00:22:59.541
to pass the budget.

00:22:59.624 --> 00:23:02.725
We could have a referendum,

00:23:02.808 --> 00:23:05.088
but we don't know
the question.

00:23:05.171 --> 00:23:11.443
Therefore, we can't have it,
and it doesn't depend on me.

00:23:11.527 --> 00:23:14.856
First, we need stability

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:20.490
and a prudent discussion
about the budget.

00:23:20.762 --> 00:23:23.841
We need to discuss
the retirement age

00:23:23.924 --> 00:23:25.906
with trade unions
and employers

00:23:25.989 --> 00:23:30.322
and then,
we will decide which path to choose.

00:23:32.102 --> 00:23:37.009
I can't comment
on the decisions of courts.

00:23:39.124 --> 00:23:41.866
I am responsible
for functioning of institutions

00:23:41.949 --> 00:23:48.564
and balance between the judicial,
executive and legislative power.

00:23:48.648 --> 00:23:51.990
We are talking
about a former president,

00:23:52.073 --> 00:23:55.198
which is why I
won't comment on it.

00:23:56.339 --> 00:24:00.180
This is
the right thing to do.

00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:01.920
I understand

00:24:02.004 --> 00:24:09.995
many citizens
are dissatisfied with it,

00:24:10.201 --> 00:24:17.160
but we have to distinguish between
emotions of a part of the country

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:20.562
and respect that everyone
deserves on one side

00:24:20.645 --> 00:24:26.220
and the court's decision
which I won't comment on.

00:24:26.304 --> 00:24:28.554
As far as the decree goes,

00:24:29.501 --> 00:24:34.810
I see many are opposing it,

00:24:34.894 --> 00:24:38.142
including the leader of the Senate
and the judicial minister.

00:24:38.225 --> 00:24:41.577
It is a legitimate discussion
in a democracy.

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:47.045
We all want to have
the right to appeal,

00:24:48.004 --> 00:24:50.754
but the discussion
has to be calm

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:54.386
and independent
from specific cases,

00:24:54.679 --> 00:25:01.135
so that judicial procedures can take
place in a calm environment.

00:25:01.785 --> 00:25:06.872
I hope the discussion
will be calm.

00:25:07.904 --> 00:25:09.504
Thank you.

00:25:09.627 --> 00:25:13.106
Thank you, President Macron.
Thank you, Prime Minister Golob.

00:25:13.189 --> 00:25:16.606
With this,
the press conference is ended.