President of the Republic visits the Town of Celje
Celje, 06/20/2007 | press release, statement
Today, President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovček, paid a visit to the Mayor of Celje, Mr. Bojan ©rot. During conversation, the latter presented the regional project concerning ecological urban waste management that gathers together 23 municipalities, and pointed out the orientation of the Municipality toward tertiary education activities; in addition, the President was presented also the project of renovation of the Castle of Celje.
At the end of his visit, President Drnovček made a statement to the media:
"I and Mr. ©rot, the Mayor of Celje, just talked about the way of progress that is taking place in Celje. Things seem to be going really well. It makes me glad that there is progress going on, particularly in the field of environmental protection, that a pioneering project of common waste management was put in place covering not only the town of Celje but a larger area. These are great steps forward, especially if we think back in time when the environment in and around Celje was very polluted, owing to industry and more precisely, the chemical industry that is still present here to a large degree. Nowadays, such environment has totally changed and I think that this can be a good example for other municipalities, as well as other areas in Slovenia. Besides, my general impression is that Celje is well on the way of progress.”
In continuation of his visit, President Drnovček and Mayor ©rot took a walk together to the nearby hotel Evropa. Under the guidance of the abbot, Mr. Marjan Jezernik, the President visited St. Mary’s Church and St. Daniel’s Cathedral, as well as a part of the preserved town-wall structure and the water tower.
While on visit in Celje, Dr Drnovček answered some of the currently burning questions put by the journalists:
Mr. President, the last time you visited Maribor, you met Mr. Kangler, today you were meeting Mr. ©rot. Do these visits of yours imply any larger background? This, of course, concerns expressing support to Mr. ©rot and Mr. Kangler.
Dr Janez Drnovček: Yes, of course, I support both of them; the next week I am going to visit Mr. Jankoviè.
Does this happen to be a new coalition?
Dr Janez Drnovček: A coalition of three biggest cities of Slovenia. A coalition of three, it seems to me, rather successful and dynamic Mayors.
Did you and Mr. ©rot talk about the coming Slovene People’s Party congress with Mr. ©rot thinking about running for the president.
Dr Janez Drnovček: Did we talk about it?
Bojan ©rot: Not much.
Dr Janez Drnovček: A little bit.
What was it about?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Well, we recalled the memories of this party’s history where, if I may say so, I was involved too, and when we cooperated for several periods, in one way or another. Now, it is about the future of this party. Well, the move has to be done by other people.
How do you comment on several hints concerning the possibility of a constructive vote of non-confidence against the Government? Would you act in support of such a vote?
Dr Janez Drnovček: There is no need for me to give support, I am not the National Assembly member.
Has anyone discussed the matter with you?
Dr Janez Drnovček: No, no one has discussed this with me.
Mr. President, will the Government persist until the end of its mandate? According to what you have said, is there some other type of political coalition to be seen in the horizon in this country?
Dr Janez Drnovček: I am not the right person to answer that; you should ask the political opposition, the party leaders. I do not interfere with this as a President of the Republic.
Mr. President, in the time when you were Prime minister you kept saying that the Slovene People’s Party was a difficult coalition partner. Do you think it would be less difficult if the party leadership would be taken over by Mayor ©rot?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Did I say it was difficult? I have forgotten a little bit.
May we hear your comments on the latest disclosure concerning the Prime minister on the eavesdropping affair. Had Mr. Rop kept you informed on the matter?
Dr Janez Drnovček: I am surprised at what is going on at present and at the statements in this connection. Personally, I know nothing about it, and I am not in a position to comment on it; my only comment is that I am very much surprised.
At the content or at Mr. Anton Rop’s act?
Dr Janez Drnovček: At everything.
In your mind, what are the consequences that Mr. Rop’s disclosure on the alleged eavesdropping could produce?
Dr Janez Drnovček: I do not wish to talk about this and make speculations. I repeat that I am surprised at all this and that the present developments are of no avail to nobody, just nobody. I don’t really see anyone who could have profit out of this, and it is a great pity for all, those involved and the state.
Do you concede a possibility that secret arrangements regarding incidents really took place?
Dr Janez Drnovček: I would not comment on this. I do not know.
The Government is about to publish the fourth intermediate report on Sova concerning allegations on mobile phone eavesdropping. This relates to the period when you were Prime minister. Did you have any knowledge about it at the time? Can you tell us more, was eavesdropping of political nature carried out against any person then?
Dr Janez Drnovček: No, never. There was an explicit prohibition to all Sova directors not to do it and to restrain themselves from interfering into internal relations.
What would you suggest to the opposition? Should they wait until the end of their mandate or no?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Actually, I do not suggest anything. However, things will have their own dynamic. If we want to know what will happen in autumn, then we have to wait until autumn. Today, many things look different as they will then.
So, you haven’t said your last word?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Concerning what?
Concerning your future political plans.
Dr Janez Drnovček: You know rather well that I am not thinking of the plans. But it really is too soon to be guessing on what is about to happen. Let the time work for itself, and let the things that are to happen, happen. And I think that many of them will happen, indeed.
Like what, for example?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Well, is there a fortune-teller around here in Celje to ask, by the way?
Mr. President, do you think that the Government can persist until the end of its mandate?
Dr Janez Drnovček: I’d rather not enter this guesswork.
How do you comment on Mr. Kranjec’s election for the Governor of the Bank of Slovenia?
Dr Janez Drnovček: Yes, it is high time that we got the governor. Obviously, the people in the National Assembly and elsewhere have come to a knowledge that constructive and state supporting moves have to be made, and that there is no use of wasting time by venting one’s critiques on issues such as is the Governor of the Bank of Slovenia candidacy.