Meeting Calls for Speedy Launch of Third Development Axis
Slovenj Gradec, 14 March
The participants of a meeting on the construction of the third development axis, a transport link between northeastern and southeastern Slovenia, agreed in Slovenj Gradec on Wednesday that the construction of the NE part of the link should begin as soon as possible.
The ministers of environment and transport, and mayors of municipalities in the NE regions of Korosko and Savinjsko-Salesko, agreed that the link is important for the economy. Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Janez Podobnik said that he hoped the national assembly would pass a new spatial planning act this month and that the government would adopt a zoning law by the summer of 2008. Podobnik added that he would invite the mayors for a consultation on the possible versions of the road link in three weeks. Transport Minister Janez Bozic meanwhile said that the 59-kilometre link would cost some EUR 700m and added that construction could begin in 2009.