Presenting the draft revised state budget for this year before the National Assembly, Prime Minister Robert Golob stressed that the Government will give priority to helping the most affected people and business sectors, and then the rest will follow.

To help those affected by the devastating floods and to deal with the consequences of the natural disaster, the Government has drafted a revised state budget for this year. It foresees €520 million in aid, with €300 million to be reallocated from the financial asset management budget item. The Government also foresees an increase of €220 million in budget expenditure.

"The first estimate of direct flood damage is €4.7 billion, while we are planning between €6.7 billion and €7 billion for effective recovery over the next five years. We assess that this should be enough to restore the affected areas to their previous state," said Prime Minister Golob. He added that the planned funds would also contribute to making Slovenia significantly more resistant to future natural disasters.

The Prime Minister further touched upon solidarity and reiterated the Government's view that those who have more should also contribute more. He believes that reconstruction efforts will not stop Slovenia's development and regular operations: "Quite the opposite. We are certain that it is possible to somehow turn this natural disaster into a boost for Slovenia if we properly organise ourselves."

This year, the 18th Bled Strategic Forum was held under the slogan Solidarity for Global Security. In the context of the recent floods that hit Slovenia, the forum also has a humanitarian focus. No country can deal with climate change alone. The Green Agenda and climate change are the most important and straightforward topics on the UN table. In its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Slovenia will bring these topics to the top of the agenda.