GOVERNMENT SESSION
The government approves an action plan for implementing an electronic toll collection system, and supports an initiative for establishing a Slovenia-based Drought Management Centre for the countries of South-Eastern Europe.
At the session, the government approved the text of the draft Act on Changes and Supplementations of the Maturity Examination Act, the draft Act Amending the Insurance Act, and adopted the Action Plan for Implementing Free Flow Electronic Toll Collection System which would facilitate interoperability at EU level.
The final objective of Slovenia's road toll system is the implementation of free flow electronic toll collection, i.e. a system that would enable the collection of fees calculated according to the number of kilometres covered, and without the need for vehicles to stop. The implementation of an interoperable electronic toll collection system is also required by EU regulations. In Slovenia, activities for establishing such a system have been underway since 2004, and were also approved at the highest political level when the Resolution on the National Motorway Construction Programme in the Republic of Slovenia was passed.
In the implementation of electronic toll collection, Slovenia is by no means lagging behind. On the contrary, it is important to note that only two free flow electronic toll systems have come into service within the EU – one in Austria, using microwave technology, and the other in Germany (only for heavy goods vehicles), using satellite positioning technology. Several of the EU states have developed electronic road toll systems, which, however are not free flow collection systems. One of these is the Slovenian ABC electronic toll collection system, which has been in operation since 1995.
By approving the action plan, Slovenia has joined those countries which already have a clear vision of the development of an electronic toll collection system for the future. However, this action plan is more than merely a vision. It combines a range of concrete solutions, tasks of competent bodies, and deadlines committing us to reaching concrete goals.
The proposal for establishing a Drought Management Centre for the countries of South-Eastern Europe (DMC) is the result of a bilateral initiative of the Secretariat for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). By regularly monitoring drought, researching and advising on how to reduce harmful consequences of drought, the DMC could significantly alleviate the damage resulting from drought, and consequently reduce the level of poverty in the region. The centre’s results and products will also help reduce drought-inflicted damage on Slovenian agriculture.
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