Lenarčič underlines Commission's willingness to aid Slovenia

To have the funds approved, Slovenia will have to take a number of steps, the commissioner said. The first is a damage estimate, which needs to be included in the request for aid from the EU Solidarity Fund. The application needs to be filed within 12 weeks.

Lenarčič noted that von der Leyen had reserved EUR 100 million in the Solidarity Fund for Slovenia in 2023 and another EUR 300 million next year. Von der Leyen announced this during her visit to Slovenia today.

The commissioner, who is from Slovenia, believes that the damage estimate and the application will be the least demanding steps. "EU budget funds need to be spent economically, responsibly. These are funds of European taxpayers, adequate transparency and purposeful use need to be established."

Lenarčič said that large amounts of funds from the Regional Development Fund could be diverted into flood repair. "These funds are available as part of the multiyear financial framework, which is still in the early stages of implementation."

Von der Leyen said the Commission would be as flexible as possible as regards funds diversion, to meet Slovenia's needs, said the commissioner.

There is also a third component to the aid package - the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility, where Slovenia failed to take advantage of an entire package of loans, said Lenarčič.

He added that both him and von der Leyen advise Slovenia to reconsider the loans it did not include in its recovery and resilience plan, as well as to divert funds which have already been designated for other projects. Applications for recovery and resilience loans are due by the end of the month, he noted.

The facility focuses on green transition, with flood safety being a key component, and Lenarčič is optimistic about diversion of funds if Slovenia will express the wish to do so.

"Good projects, good programmes must be drafted. It is especially important to take into consideration completion deadlines, which are growing exceedingly short at this time under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, so there is no time to waste."

"This is a hefty, significant aid package. It is also important that the Commission president and the prime minister agreed on a concrete body, a mixed task force, that will help move things along," said the commissioner.

Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon described the aid announcement as "very optimistic, very responsible", adding the figures were higher than expected.

She warned, however, that the deadlines required are very short, while repair works are still underway in areas most affected by the floods and damage estimates can only be made after these are completed.

"We will have our work cut out to draft the needed analyses. But the European solidarity on display here today, including the visit by Commissioner president, the aid from practically all neighbouring and EU countries, is truly extraordinary."

"Slovenians have shown incredible solidarity with one another, and entire Europe is at our side. We are not alone and this gives us hope," said the minister, adding that she had written to her counterparts from NATO and EU countries, thanking them for their support.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development said that a newly established interdepartmental task force charged with coordinating the solidarity fund application efforts had met for the first time today.

Andreja Katič, a state secretary at the ministry who is in charge of the task force, said the objective was to have the application finalised no later than 12 weeks from the date when the first damage occurred, before which it will also have to be approved by the government.