In Žužemberk the Minister took note of the developments regarding the implementation of the project “Drinking water supply in Suha Krajina” which has thus far received EUR 21.5 million of Cohesion Fund support. In addition to the host, mayor of municipality Žužemberk, Jože Papež, the meeting was also attended by the mayor of municipality Mirna Peč, Andrej Kastelic, mayor of municipality Dolenjske Toplice, Franc Vovk, mayor of municipality Dobrepolje, Igor Ahačevič, director of Hydrovod, Antun Gašparac representing municipality Kočevje, director of Komunala Novo mesto, mag. Gregor Klemenčič, and Member of National Council, Bojan Kekec. They agreed that the project is of the outmost importance for the inhabitants of Suha Krajina as it will result in over 1,200 inhabitants having better and safer drinking water supply.   

In Ivančna Gorica Minister met with mayor Dušan Strnad who said that he was pleased that the project “Construction of cycling routes in municipality Ivančna Gorica for sustainable mobility” will receive European Regional Development Fund support. The municipality plans to submit its project proposal to the Ministry of Infrastructure in June.  

Minister Černač also visited Grosuplje where the mayor dr. Peter Verlic and his colleagues presented the municipality’s development projects. In the close vicinity of the bus and railway station they checked the progress made with regard to the implementation of the project P+R Grosuplje garage which is a successful project proposal submitted under the call for proposals “Sustainable mobility measures – P+R hubs” receiving EU funding. The garage will offer 222 parking spaces of which 161 are reserved for P+R and thus contribute to relieving Ljubljana from daily commuters to the capital.  

The Minister and the mayors also discussed the implementation of European Cohesion Policy in the new programming period 2021-2027. Minister Černač underlined that in the new programming period Slovenia is eligible to less funding than in the period 2014-2020 which calls for focusing on realistic and feasible projects. “Slovenia’s development cycle should be planned by taking into account all the available funding and not relying only on the European Cohesion Policy funds” added Minister Černač.    The Minister also said that numerous EU-supported projects are being implemented throughout Slovenia. “I believe that also the next financial perspective will bring projects that generate added value” he concluded.