MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Tuesday, May 6): BRATISLAVA - Slovakia disagrees with the European Commission's (EC) plan to halt gas, oil and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia, the Economy Ministry's press department stated on Tuesday, adding that such a plan is not in the interest of Slovakia or other EU member states. "We're fundamentally opposed to the European Commission preparing measures that harm not only our national interests and the purchasing power of Slovak households, but also the whole of Europe. Therefore, the Slovak Economy Ministry fundamentally disagrees with the proposal presented today by the European Commission and we'll communicate in this spirit at the European Commission," said Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD). According to the Economy Ministry, the proposed targets, which are about stopping all imports of energy carriers from Russia to the EU as of 2027 and introducing more restrictions from next year, will have a negative impact on energy prices in Europe. MICHALOVCE - I reject linking current events to those from the time of the Second World War, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Tuesday during a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the Day of Victory over Fascism at the Red Army Central Military Cemetery in Michalovce (Kosice region), stressing that the government has been committed since the beginning in its manifesto to respect and revere important historical milestones. "Young soldiers who were killed during the liberation of Slovakia have nothing to do with current efforts to build a new Iron Curtain and provoke endless wars. We'll do whatever it takes to maintain our commitment of respect and gratitude in the future," emphasised Fico. The premier thanked Russian Ambassador to Slovakia Igor Bratchikov for his cooperation in restoring the military cemetery in Michalovce and offered him cooperation in repairing other monuments and memorials. WARSAW/BRATISLAVA - The Polish Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Tuesday afternoon that Poland has granted permission for an aircraft carrying Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to fly over its territory en route to Russia, but at the same time it reiterated its critical stance towards Fico's decision to participate in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Moscow on May 9, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent stationed in Warsaw. The ministry stated that the Slovak Embassy in Warsaw submitted a diplomatic request for a flyover by the government aircraft on May 8 and 9. "As there were no formal international legal obstacles, the Polish side issued the permit for a flight through the airspace of the Republic of Poland," said the ministry in its statement. However, the Polish Foreign Ministry expressed a critical view of the Slovak prime minister’s participation in the Victory Day commemoration organised by Moscow. KOSICE/BRATISLAVA - A protest against the financial transaction tax took place on Tuesday near in Kosice, organized by the opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and attended by several dozen people. “We are pointing out problems that the transaction tax has caused for ordinary people, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed. We’re highlighting that this is a foolish tax that should be abolished in order to support the economy, tourism, and a higher standard of living,” SaS chair Branislav Groehling told TASR. As of April 1, legal entities and self-employed individuals in Slovakia began paying a new financial transaction tax. The measure is part of a consolidation package aimed at reducing the public finance deficit, which was approved by Parliament last year. In addition to SaS, the tax has also been criticized by the opposition parties Progressive Slovakia (PS) and Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). BRATISLAVA - The Agriculture Payment Agency (PPA) might lose its accreditation, as its information system has lost support since May 1, opposition MP Veronika Remisova told a news conference alongside MP Gabor Grendel (both 'Slovakia'party, For the People, the Christian Union/KU) on Tuesday. "According to my findings, PPA hasn't secured support for its 'Agis' information system as of May 1. There is a risk that PPA will no longer be able to announce new calls and send payments to farmers as a result of this. PPA's whole information system is a part of the agency's accreditation, and if it lost it, unprecedented chaos would reign in the entire sector," stated Remisova. "I am asking Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) whether he is at all aware of the problem he has at PPA. I'm calling on him to publish a crisis plan to restore the system and the credibility of the agency within 48 hours," said Remisova. BRATISLAVA - The prices of residential real estate in Slovakia increased by 4 percent in the first quarter of this year when compared to the previous quarter, according to the latest statistics published by Slovakia's central bank (NBS) on Tuesday. The year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in residential real-estate prices reached 11.4 percent. The average price grew by €104 per square metre to €2,700 per square metre, stated NBS, adding that flat prices thereby hit an all-time high. "The most significant price increase occurred between December and January and mainly concerned older flats. Flat prices are already at a higher level than in 2022. From the regional viewpoint, Bratislava and Kosice regions dominated price growth, while Nitra and Zilina regions posted moderate drops. The volume of offers increased for the first time after three quarters of decline, and mainly concerned houses," said NBS analysts. ko