“To me, Gorenjska is the most beautiful part of Slovenia”

For three years now, MEP Irena Joveva, elected on the LMŠ list, has been working in Brussels in a determined and successful manner, co-shaping policies for the future, such as those pertaining to the green transition and youth issues.

You live in Ljubljana, work in Brussels and Strasbourg, and you come from Jesenice. How often do you return to Gorenjska?

I go home whenever I can. But it’s true that I cannot visit very often anymore, because unfortunately, with working from home and taking care of my baby girl, I run out of time. But Jesenice will always be my home town; this is where I grew up and I have many fond memories of Gorenjska in general. Many people say that Jesenice is grey and dreary, but neither is true. Jesenice is beautiful … and red (laughs). All joking aside, the ironworks is no longer the only thing worth a mention in Jesenice, and the locals are aware of the importance of a clean environment and green solutions. To me, Gorenjska is the most beautiful part of Slovenia, and it’s not right that all the attention is always focused on – no offence – Kranjska Gora, Bled and Bohinj … All other places in between are just as splendid, we just have to take care of them the way they deserve.

Green policy is becoming an increasingly important topic in the European Parliament. In fact, the green transition has been greatly accelerated by the pandemic.

In fact, green policy is already the most important topic. As we speak, the Committee on the Environment, of which I am a member, is deliberating on 14 legislative dossiers with far-reaching effects. Last March, we adopted legislation on emission reduction and on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We need to achieve this ambitious plan, because the status quo is simply not sustainable. But such a green transition will not come cheap. That is why we are sticking to the principle that the cost should be borne by those who pollute the most and that the population should not be affected by these measures. Substantial funds have already been made available and there will be even more, and as Slovenians, we need to make sure that they are invested wisely.

Nowadays, all avenues are open to young people, nothing is holding them back anymore. You work a lot on youth policies. How can we keep promising young people in Slovenia?

To me, young people having all avenues open a positive thing. It is right that they should use their potential and create the life they want for themselves. This is not to deny, of course, the problem of youth emigration, which is observed throughout the EU. But it is crucial that national and European policies are geared towards creating good conditions for young people –what I particularly have in mind is addressing housing issues, ensuring quality jobs and good conditions for young families, in short, mechanisms that will provide the conditions for young people to achieve their goals and aspirations in their home country.

Marjan Šarec: “Sustainability is becoming our everyday reality”

It is no secret that the Upper Sava Valley is one of the leading tourist destinations in Slovenia. I have no doubt that you will continue to be able to use your natural assets to shape sustainable tourism, and in this way become an example not only in Slovenia, but globally. The key to all this is cooperation between all stakeholders, and it will be just as important to successfully compete for European grants. The word ‘sustainable’ is becoming part of our everyday language. And in this sense, the citizens of Kranjska Gora and its surroundings have a golden opportunity.

Considering everything mentioned thus far, it is of the utmost importance to increase the capacities of the Jesenice hospital with the help of the state. Just as we supported the idea of regional hospitals and the preservation of a general hospital in the Jesenice area during our government, we support it now and will continue to do so in the future. Let us not forget the fact that during the epidemic, the hospital in Jesenice was one of the busiest in the country, which is why I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the employees of Jesenice General Hospital for their dedicated, selfless and hard work.

You can also read the interview in the newsletter of the Kranjska Gora municipality, Zgornjesav’c, by clicking HERE.