Cerar: We are not privatizing port operator Luka Koper

2. marec 2015 ob 20.55 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

“Adopting a European standard is part of our transport infrastructure strategy, and that’s the reason why our government backed the construction of the Koper-Divača rail link,“ Cerar explained. However, he added that questions about potential public-private partnerships could not be answered yet. Foto: BoBo

Prime Minister Miro Cerar today told MPs that a state asset management strategy had already been drafted. He added that it will probably be presented to the government as early as later this week, and then shown to the parties. This will be followed by a public debate.

Cerar today fielded questions from MPs on matters relating to the integrity of public officers, the country’s economic recovery, and the list of candidates for the SSH (Slovenia Sovereign Holding) supervisory board. United Left (ZL) MP Luka Mesec asked Cerar about the possibility of privatizing port operator Luka Koper and rail operator Slovenske železnice after rumours started circulating in the media. Mesec was also interested in finding out whether the second rail track between Koper and Divača would be funded through a public-private partnership, whether the government was already talking to potential investors and whether the project could be made profitable for private investors.

Cerar replied that the government strategy was clear, and that there are many ways of financing the construction of the Koper-Divača link. He also said the rumours about the sale of port operator Luka Koper were a fabrication.

Cerar stressed that the state asset management strategy, which is currently being consulted upon, was a very important step in this process. The document will define which state-owned companies are to be sold. Questions about potential public-private partnerships could only be answered after the strategy is adopted, Cerar stressed.