Maribor’s development projects should be an example for the whole country

He began his visit by meeting with the management of the Energy Agency, which he highlighted as an excellent example of Slovenia's decentralisation. He then met with Maribor energy representatives and after the talks pointed out that Maribor has always been the centre of the Slovenian energy sector, so his visit should come as no surprise. Maribor is already looking into renewable energy sources, which Prime Minister Golob said he much welcomed, adding that now was the right time for a green breakthrough. He added that the key to achieving the green breakthrough was to recruit staff with expertise in the energy sector.

At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the government team met with Dean Gorazd Štumberger and Rector of the University of Maribor Zdravko Kačič. After the meeting, Prime Minister Golob emphasised that he believed in a knowledge-based society, which is why he was paying a visit to the faculty today. "Knowledge alone will make our country socially just and solidary, giving people the opportunity to live in dignity," he said after the meeting.

The Prime Minister and the ministers continued their visit at the Vocational College of Hospitality and Tourism in Maribor, where they were given a presentation on innovative practices and internationally successful projects in confectionery, bartending and wellness treatments.

In his statement to the media at the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, the Prime Minister pointed out that Maribor has a lot to offer and show to Slovenia as a whole. The chief purpose of his visit was to pay tribute to Maribor and to regional projects of which all Slovenians can be proud. "I believe that we will be able to better develop certain things, but above all that we will be able to give Maribor back its splendour," he stressed.

Prime Minister Golob believes that the only true development of Slovenia is a polycentric one, and that the eastern part of Slovenia lacks a capital equivalent to Ljubljana. "I would like Maribor to attain that goal in the next few years," he added.

He also responded to topical issues regarding energy and food welfare mitigation. Two working groups have been set up to prepare a proposal for action by the end of June. We will tackle the issues consecutively, starting with oil and oil products, followed by electricity and food, and lastly by gas. People will be confronted with soaring prices in that order, he said.

Regarding health, he pointed out that a team at the Ministry of Health is already working on an exit strategy for COVID-19 on the one hand and on emergency legislation to lay the foundations for reform on the other. The Prime Minister expects both acts to be submitted to parliamentary procedure by 15 July.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Golob also visited the Danica Vogrinec home for the elderly and Narodni Dom Maribor. He is to conclude his visit with a meeting with the management of Maribor Football Club at the Ljudski Vrt stadium. Towards the end of his visit, Prime Minister Golob thanked the people of Maribor for their warm welcome, reiterating that Maribor is implementing many development projects that can serve as an example for the whole country.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, paid a working visit to Maribor | Author Nebojša Tejić/STA