Slovenia to get EUR 400 million from EU Solidarity Fund

This is just one part of a package of EU aid that Slovenia can draw on. Another EUR 2.7 billion is available in Next Generation EU loans that Slovenia has not yet drawn, and existing cohesion funds totalling EUR 3.3 billion can be reprogrammed to help the relief effort.

"We have a good package of immediate, mid-term and long-term support for the reconstruction and recovery of Slovenia," von der Leyen said.

She noted that time was of the essence and Slovenia must make a request and produce a preliminary assessment of the damage as soon as possible so that the funds can be disbursed.

The request for Next Generation funds must be made until the end of August and von der Leyen said it was agreed to immediately create a task force of Slovenia and the Commission to "immediately work on the administrative requirements to make sure these EUR 2.7 billion are available to Slovenia for investment."

As for cohesion funds, von der Leyen said a lot of the EUR 3.3 billion that Slovenia has at its disposal has already been dedicated to specific projects but "I am convinced that many of these projects no longer exist."

In general, she said the Commission will show "maximum flexibility", both in the reprogramming of cohesion funds and in the disbursement of Recovery and Resilience Facility funds, where Slovenia is projected to get EUR 1.49 billion in grants and EUR 705 million in loans.

Golob likewise called for flexibility in the reprogramming of the cohesion funds. "If we cannot divert the funds to reconstruction, they mean nothing to us," he said.

He also announced that the government will set up a special fund with EU and domestic contributions which will manage the money dedicated to the reconstruction. The first contribution, EUR 300 million, will come from the national budget.

Golob said the corporate sector would not be left behind either and he broached the issue of state aid in talks with von der Leyen. He said the flood was an example of force majeure and Slovenia would request exemptions from state aid rules.

In an address to parliament, von der Leyen praised Slovenians' solidarity, courage and kindness. "Your response has been outstanding. An entire country has mobilised at incredible speed, preventing an even greater loss of life," she said.

She also said Slovenia had always been among the first to offer aid when disaster struck in neighbouring countries and was also a leading contributor to the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. "Now I want to assure you that all of Europe is with you in this time of need."

According to von der Leyen, Europe will also be at Slovenia's side in the coming weeks and months for the recovery and reconstruction. "I have no doubt that, with Europe's support, Slovenia will recover fast and once again stand strong at the heart of Europe."