Michel promises EU to stay by Slovenia's side in the future

"It is extremely clear that Slovenia is facing a difficult, complex situation," Michel told reporters after seeing the damage on the ground. He said he was here to reaffirm the importance of solidarity.

"I am impressed by the courage of the Slovenian people, I'm also impressed by the focus and determination of the authorities and your leadership," he said, turning to address Golob.

He noted the European Commission's promise to mobilise EUR 400 million from the EU Solidarity Fund, but also the need to rebuild the country to be better prepared for future natural disasters.

Golob said Michel's visit reaffirmed the EU's promise not to forget Slovenia. "The EU stands by our side and it will help us not only with rapid response to natural disasters, but also with reconstruction."

"Today we visited a location where a bridge will be built in the coming days with the help of our European partners," he said.

Joint Slovenian and European Commission teams are examining how Slovenia can effectively tap the funds from the Solidarity Fund.

The government is also working on an application to draw loans from the recovery and resilience plan.

"I hope all this, including cohesion funds, will be sufficient for Slovenia to recover after the floods," Golob said, emphasizing that Slovenia would also have to look for all possible own sources for the reconstruction.

Him and Michel agreed that the money pooled into the Solidarity Fund would have to be increased. "If we are successful in addressing other member states for these funds to be increased, I believe Slovenia can count on more substantial support from the (Solidarity) Fund," Golob said.

Golob and Michel also shared the view about the importance of the EU's enlargement, which will be the main topic as the pair meet with Western Balkan leaders over dinner tonight.

"The EU is facing the dilemma of how to set out the enlargement process so it can meet the challenges of our times," said Golob.

The dinner will discuss the opportunities for the Western Balkan countries and "why their efforts to harmonise legislation should be stepped up so that we can move forward at the European Council in December".

The dinner will be attended by all heads of government from the region, except for Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. Them as well as Michel will also attend the Bled Strategic Forum on Monday and Tuesday.

Discussions at the forum will focus on how solidarity can help in facing the challenges of today's world, but it will also be marked by the devastating flooding in Slovenia.

Participants will be able to contribute to the emerging reconstruction fund and the forum will be an opportunity for talks with foreign officials on potential additional aid.