Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico believes that maintaining supplies of energy raw materials from Russia to the community is necessary to ensure the competitiveness of the European Union.
“I am a big supporter of importing Russian energy raw materials into Europe. Although these imports are not dominant, they will seriously stabilize prices [in the EU]. If gas, oil and nuclear fuel supplies stop, their prices will quickly rise and Europe will become less competitive“, he told reporters after talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. The topic of energy supplies from Russia was discussed during the talks.
According to Fico, Slovakia receives gas of Russian origin through the “Turkish Stream“ gas pipeline. These supplies cover the republic's basic needs for this type of energy resource.
Fico also announced that Slovakia and Italy have reached an agreement to jointly build small modular reactors at the Bohunice NPP in western Slovakia. The project will be implemented by the state-controlled Slovak joint-stock company JAVYS and the European trading company NewCleo. In addition, as he noted, Bratislava and Rome will develop cooperation in the defense industry. According to him, special emphasis will be placed on the production of ammunition.