Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ivan Zagar opened in Bled on Friday a two-day meeting of mayors and other local officials by presenting three key areas for the development of municipalities and state: the funding of municipalities act, direct incentives and the establishment of provinces.
According to Zagar, new legislation is aimed at the regulation of funding so that municipalities can have more operating space and use the funds for their development autonomously.
A step further was also made in the area of direct incentives, as municipalities can autonomously decide on which projects the funds will be used for and set their own priorities, said Zagar as he addressed the "Mayor Days" meeting.
The establishing of provinces, a move that aims at decentralising the country and is based on devolution of powers, is well under way. The first legislation package is in its last phase, while we are still facing a lot of work, said Zagar.
He added that while the draft bill on provinces was already on the table, it would also consider proposals made at Bled. This meeting is important as it will instigate exchange of opinions which can contribute to a better legislation, said Zagar.
The minister expressed hope that the drafting of the legislation would be formally finished this year so that provinces can be established in 2009 and contribute to the development of the country.
Vesna Juvan Gotovac of the Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy meanwhile said that the introduction of provinces entailed changes in the management of public affairs in the country. Many public offices which are centralised will be managed at a different level, she added.
The Mayor of Ptuj Stefan Celan said that municipalities could only be successful if they managed to secure the cooperation of all key elements of development.
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