Golob thanks Von der Leyen for offered assistance from EU

The government said on Twitter that Golob had expressed sincere gratitude to Von der Leyen for the warm words of support and the assistance offered by the European Commission.

"It is a strong expression of European solidarity and togetherness, which we greatly appreciate," the Slovenian prime minister said.

The president of the European Commission said on Twitter on Saturday the EU was with the Slovenian people and added that the EU would mobilise aid when necessary.

As the damage caused by the floods is estimated to have exceeded EUR 500 million, the government said on Saturday it would apply for aid from the EU Solidarity Fund, which provides grants in the event of natural disasters.

Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon meanwhile said that, according to the announcements from Brussels, Von der Leyen was expected to visit Slovenia next week.

This comes after Fajon held talks with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, whose country is currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Council of the EU and the European External Action Service monitor the situation with great concern and express their full solidarity. They ensure full assistance to Slovenia, the minister said.

Expressions of support for Slovenia keep coming from many individual European countries.

Solidarity with the people affected by the floods was expressed by the president of the European Parliament, the prime ministers of Poland and Kosovo, the presidents of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Iceland, and the foreign ministries of France and Ukraine.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Europe supported Slovenia and expressed sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. She added that the EU expressed solidarity with all those who needed help.

Željko Komšić, the current chair of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, expressed condolences to the families of the flood victims in a phone conversation with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar.

"You can count on support and urgent help from Bosnia-Herzegovina in eliminating the consequences of the disaster that has unfortunately hit your country," said Komšić, as announced by the Presidency.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed solidarity with people in Slovenia on behalf of the Polish government, and said that Poland was ready to offer support.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed compassion with the affected people, saying that such events point to the importance of solidarity and joint action in the fight against threats.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed his condolences to the relatives of the flood victims, and noted that Serbia was ready to provide Slovenia, a friendly country, with all the help it needs.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj expressed solidarity with President Pirc Musar and the Slovenian residents who have been affected by the floods, and wished them to regain control of the situation soon.

Solidarity with Pirc Musar and the Slovenian nation was also expressed by Icelandic President Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson, who said everybody was worried about the extreme weather events.

"France expresses full solidarity with Slovenia, which was affected by severe floods, and full support for European mobilisation," the French Foreign Ministry tweeted, while the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also expressed condolences over the deaths and immense damage.

In their response to the floods on Saturday, condolences were expressed and assistance offered also by Croatia, Hungary and Montenegro.