WEBVTT

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Welcome. The decisions
adopted at today’s session

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will be presented by the Minister
of the Environment, Climate,

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and Energy, Bojan Kumer.
Please go ahead. -Thank you, Petra.

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As mentioned, the Government
is continuing to adopt documents

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to address and discuss
measures for the energy crisis.

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Today, the Government
adopted a resolution

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to ensure sufficient
gas reserves in a timely manner,

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urging gas balance
group operators

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to immediately begin concluding
agreements on gas storage

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and contracts
for gas purchases,

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so that sufficient
quantities of stored gas

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are secured by November 1.

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This is a responsible preparation
for the winter season,

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so it is crucial
that the necessary agreements

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begin to be concluded
in a timely manner.

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This also ensures greater
energy security for the country.

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Gas reserves mean, first
and foremost, reliability of supply

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and, secondly,
greater security for households,

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public institutions,
and the economy

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during peak consumption periods

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when market conditions
can be most unpredictable.

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Filling storage facilities
in a timely manner

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thus means less exposure
to price shocks

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and greater stability
and predictability

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of the natural gas supply.

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The key message of this adopted
decision is therefore very clear.

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We are increasing security
and strengthening

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the country’s resilience
in the area of gas supply.

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The Government has also adopted
a regulation to control increases

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in electricity
and natural gas prices.

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At today’s Government session,
we established the requirement

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that electricity
and natural gas suppliers

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must obtain
prior government approval

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before raising prices
for certain consumer groups.

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The regulation is a response
to the unstable situation

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in energy markets resulting
from geopolitical tensions,

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disruptions in supply chains,

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and significant fluctuations
in energy prices.

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In such circumstances,
there is, of course, a real risk

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of sudden
and disproportionate price hikes

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that could directly affect
people’s social security

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and the functioning
of key social systems.

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The measure is primarily aimed
at protecting households,

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small business customers,
and public institutions

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such as kindergartens,
schools, and health centres.

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These are groups with limited
ability to adapt to price shocks,

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so their protection is a priority
of the broader public interest.

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This enables timely

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and, most importantly,
targeted

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and proportionate action
by the state.

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Another key focus
of the regulation

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is the stability
of the broader system.

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By limiting
unpredictable price hikes,

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we ensure
a more stable environment

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for the functioning
of the economy, public services,

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and people’s daily lives.

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The Government
also reviewed today

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the draft Social Climate Plan
for the period 2026 to 2032,

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which represents
a crucial step

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toward a just
green transition in Slovenia.

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The plan provides access
to nearly 480 million euros

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in funds earmarked for direct
assistance to the most vulnerable.

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At the forefront of the measures
is the fight against energy poverty,

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which is becoming one
of the key social issues.

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The plan’s goal is to ensure
that no one is left without access

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to basic energy services
due to rising prices

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or the transition
to a low-carbon society.

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The plan therefore provides
for concrete measures

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ranging from grants
for home energy retrofits,

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support for the use of renewable
or clean energy sources,

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to counselling and the inclusion of
households in energy communities,

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while also addressing
transportation poverty

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through new forms of accessible
and sustainable transportation.

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This is a plan that, in light
of the current energy crisis,

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addresses measures that
improve people’s quality of life

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in the medium and long term.

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Thank you for your statement.
This concludes our broadcast.

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Goodbye.
-Thank you.