SUMMARY - Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 9 p.m.

Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - Slovakia's membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO is one of the country's greatest achievements, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Wednesday in Slovakia during a meeting with acting head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia Radim Dvorak, held to mark the 21st anniversary of Slovakia joining the EU, TASR learnt from the President's Office on the same day. https://etasr.sk/article/22003394 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - The Council of the Arts Support Fund (FPU) has dismissed Robert Spotak from his position as director, according to Petra Bacinska of the Culture Ministry's press department, who stated that the decision was based on repeated and serious breaches of legal and employment obligations. https://etasr.sk/article/22003664 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - A just and lasting peace in Ukraine requires dialogue rather than one-sided statements, the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) stated on Wednesday, adding that the way Moscow approached the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War raises doubts about Russia's willingness to engage in such dialogue. https://etasr.sk/article/22003681 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - If the local government doesn't want the Malinec hydro-electric plant in the village of Latky (Banska Bystrica region), Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) won't submit the proposal for its construction, the minister stated after a government meeting in Mala Lehota (Banska Bystrica region), adding that he's a politician who will always respect the decisions of the people. https://etasr.sk/article/22003841 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - The dismissal of Robert Spotak as director of the Arts Support Fund (FPU) is unlawful and a major overstep, stated parliamentary culture and media committee chair and member of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) Zora Jaurova on Wednesday, arguing that individuals such as Spotak are heroes who defend institutions, laws, and common sense, not personal interests. https://etasr.sk/article/22004021 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - Representatives of the Slovak Towns and Village Association (ZMOS), the Self-governing Regions Association (SK8), and Slovak Towns Union (UMS) called on the government on Wednesday not to reallocate funds from the Slovakia Programme intended for local governments to other areas, warning that such a move, linked to the European Commission's new funding priorities, could cost municipalities €400 million needed for infrastructure, school equipment, and water and sewage systems. https://etasr.sk/article/22004089 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, along with the 'Slovakia' party, called on Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) on Wednesday to transfer her land in Bratislava's borough of Vajnory, located next to the site of the planned national hospital, to the state at its market value [prior to the hospital's announcement]. https://etasr.sk/article/22004148 Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - The new national hospital, like last time, remains nothing more than an unrealistic concept, with its construction through the Defence Ministry also posing a problem, according to a statement sent to TASR by the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party's media department. https://etasr.sk/article/22004275 NOTICE: If you click on the link or copy it into the search window, the browser will display the full text of the message in the new e-TASR client zone. If you have any questions, please contact obchod@tasr.sk. lin