Jernej Vrtovec

Ljubljana – Presenting Slovenia’s EU presidency priorities in energy to the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said Thursday that when it comes to Fit for 55 energy proposals, the Slovenian presidency will start with the revision of directives on renewables and energy efficiency.

Brussels – The main priorities of Slovenia’s EU presidency in transport are e-mobility and alternative fuels, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said as he presented the presidency agenda to the European Parliament’s Transport Committee on Tuesday. This will also be the main topic of an informal transport ministerial scheduled for September.

Ljubljana – The government is planning for a multi-modal logistics hub to be built as part of development of Maribor airport until 2025. The Smart Hub Maribor is to be expanded from the initial 50 hectares to 630 hectares in 2030, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec announced after the government session on Thursday.

Luxembourg – Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec attended a meeting of EU transport ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday to present the priorities of Slovenia’s upcoming EU presidency in transport. He said the country would promote sustainability and resilience, the Infrastructure Ministry said.

Ljubljana/Vienna – Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec met his Austrian counterpart Leonore Gewessler in Vienna on Thursday to discuss bilateral cooperation, especially in transport and infrastructure, and bilateral relations. They agreed cooperation should be strengthened in infrastructure.

Ljubljana – Hauliers, who have been severely hit by the Covid pandemic, can now count on EUR 35 million in loans to weather liquidity issues, while they can also look forward to some 10 million in grants in coming months.

A contract on financing and implementing the new scheme was signed on Monday by Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec and SIB Banka chairman Sibil Svilan.

Ljubljana – Trade unionists have came out against legislative amendments that would provide the legal basis for ride hailing platforms such as Uber arguing they often violate labour rights. Refuting the charge, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said the goal was to make transport services cheaper and more modern.

Koper – A new centre for maritime traffic control and management in crisis situations was inaugurated in Koper on Friday in what is a project that is expected to greatly improve navigation safety in the Slovenian territorial waters and decrease risk of accidents by as much as 70%.

Ljubljana – The parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Public Finances debated Friday the selection of Slovakia’s Skytoll for an e-tolling system for cars. While the opposition alleged irregularities, motorway company DARS and the Infrastructure Ministry rejected any impropriety. The MPs asked the anti-graft commission to look into the tender.

Ljubljana – As daily coronavirus cases hit a new record earlier this week, the government decided on Thursday that schools and kindergartens will remain closed at least until 18 January. While the majority of restrictions were extended, ski lifts will have to shut down once again tomorrow and there will be some minor changes to entering Slovenia.