Monitor: Premier Fico: Only USA Capable of Ensuring Quick Reactor Construction

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', May 17) Speaking on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues) Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said that based on price, quality, and safety, Russia would be the leading choice for building a new nuclear reactor, but due to the political situation, this option is not viable, and therefore the only country currently able to ensure swift construction is the United States. "You make a list, set your priorities, say to yourself: quality, price, safety — do you know who comes out on top? The Russian Federation," said Fico. "We believe that the only one currently capable of delivering results in the form of a swift construction of such a reactor is the United States of America," the prime minister added. Although the government hasn't yet decided on the supplier or financing method, the prime minister suggested that the AP1000 pressurized water reactor from Westinghouse Electric, with a capacity of 1250 megawatts, could be the choice. He added that the United States could lead the project, worth over ten billion euros, potentially collaborating with other countries experienced in nuclear technologies, such as France, South Korea, and, after the conflict in Ukraine, Russia. The premier criticised the European Union's (EU) plan to ban the supply of natural gas, oil, and fuel for nuclear power plants from Russia. "So far, there's only the European Commission's strategy, which I describe as an ideological, political strategy that is harmful to the competitiveness of the European Union and will increase energy prices," Fico warned. lin