M/S Merkel and Bratusek watch military honours M/S German, EU and Slovenian flags M/S Merkel and Bratusek watch military honours M/S Merkel and Bratusek shake hands SOT, Angela Merka, German Chancellor (in German): "I have the impression that Slovenia values above all else entering a stable course that for one thing overcomes the uncertainty of international investors and builds trust through that. Growth can arise from out of trust and growth is what is required for employment, especially for young people." M/S Merkel and Bratusek SOT, Angela Merka, German Chancellor (in German): "I support completely the coalition's path when it decided for privatisation. On the one hand privatisation brings money to households, but even more important is naturally that a dynamic economic sitation can occur. We have always seen that, also in Germany when we became privatised." M/S Bratusek SOT, Angela Merka, German Chancellor (in German): "Greece has made unbelievable efforts but Greece still has a tough time ahead. The reduction of people working in public jobs is a theme that has to be solved, the government has made plans for it." W/S Chancellery SCRIPT Germany: Merkel prescribes privatisation for Slovenia's economic ills Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Alenka Bratusek, for an inaugral visit with military honours in Berlin on Friday before the two gave a press conference together to discuss bilateral economic relations including privatisation, austerity and unemployment. Both Merkel and Bratusek stressed that Slovenia was aware of its difficulties and on the right path towards improving them. "I have the impression that Slovenia values above all else entering a stable course that for one thing overcomes the uncertainty of international investors and builds trust through that. Growth can arise from out of trust and growth is what is required for employment, especially for young people," said Merkel. Merkel, who will be at the centre of a general election in September, is known for espousing austerity measures through the EU and especially in countries suffering from economic woes. Slovenia is considered one of the economically weaker eurozone members at the time, with some speculating it could become the next country to ask for aid from the European Stability Mechanism. Privatisation along with public financing and bank restructuring are seen as the best ways to improve the sitatuation. German is very interested in the privatisation of Solvenia, with German being one of the biggest investors in Slovenia. Merkel said: "I support completely the coalition's path when it decided for privatisation. One the one hand privatisation brings money to households, but even more important is naturally that a dynamic economic sitation can occur. We have always seen that, also in Germany when we became privatised." During her time in Berlin, Bratusek will also visit a business forum involving German and Slovenian startups.

• published: 29 Apr 2014
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