The submitted proposal to Brussels aims to amend the Recovery and Resilience Plan

In an effort to address changing circumstances and ensure successful implementation, the Government of Slovenia has approved a proposed amendment to the Recovery and Resilience Plan on Monday, 10 July 2023. The amendment tackles various challenges, including the decrease in grants available from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and seeks additional European resources to support the goals of the REPowerEU plan. In addition, the amendment takes into account objective circumstances like inflation, requiring careful consideration during the finalization process.

Having received the Government's approval, the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Recovery and Resilience has promptly submitted the proposed amendment, along with all supporting documents, to Brussels. The next step involves formal harmonization with the European Commission (EC), a process that may influence the ultimate version of the amended plan.

The drafting of the proposed amendment was based on the starting points adopted by the Government in March. The relevant ministries collaborated closely in its preparation, and input from various stakeholders was considered during the harmonization process. Public consultation was conducted to ensure alignment with the newly introduced REPowerEU chapter, and adjustments related to the decrease in available grants were presented at a dedicated event to the public.

Despite the adjustments, the Government made efforts to preserve key investments and adhere to the planned timeline to the greatest extent possible, with the aim of generating revenue for the state budget. However, recognizing the need for flexibility in implementation, the Government proposes to the EC the postponement of certain milestones and targets, allowing for the preparation and harmonization of key reforms to be carried out with greater quality. This approach is expected to facilitate the successful implementation of investments and expedite the payment of planned installments from the Union budget.

To finance the implementation of the planned measures, Slovenia expects to draw EUR 1.49 billion. Furthermore, the Government recommends that the EC utilize EUR 545 million of loans, which represents a decrease of EUR 160 million from the original plan confirmed in July 2021. This reduction aligns with the current needs and financial considerations of the recovery and resilience efforts.

With the submission of the proposed amendment and a comprehensive plan in place, Slovenia looks forward to the Council of the European Union's final approval this autumn, thereby advancing its commitment to a robust recovery and resilience strategy in the face of evolving challenges.