Fico Highlights Defence and Energy Cooperation with Kazakhstan

Astana, 11 June (TASR-correspondent) - If the price of the current international situation is to be a sharp increase in defence spending, Slovakia is interested in consuming it primarily at home, via its own production, or in cooperation with countries with which it would be mutually beneficial, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) following his meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. In addition to cooperation in the defence industry, Fico highlighted potential for cooperation in the energy sector as well. "The president and I have defined several areas in the defence industry in which it wouldn't have to be just about sales and purchases. These are areas in which we can create joint ventures, we can proceed together and it will be beneficial, plus financially and economically efficient and useful for both countries," said the Slovak premier. Fico also praised the fact that Kazakhstan wants to take the path of nuclear energy. The country's inhabitants backed the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant in a nationwide referendum last year. Fico offered the experience and expertise of both state-owned and private companies to the Kazakh president on behalf of Slovakia. "We are a country that currently operates five reactors, soon we'll have a sixth one, and we have a big ambition to build a new nuclear power plant with an output of 1,250 megawatts. Therefore, if respective organisations and companies in Kazakhstan show interest in such expert cooperation, we'll be ready," stated Fico. Fico said that he also asked the Kazakh president for potential cooperation in the area of ​oil ​imports to Slovakia via the Druzhba oil pipeline. "These options are yet to be further considered by respective experts as to what extent this is technically viable and to what extent there is still capacity available to import such oil," explained the premier. "This is the first trip by a Slovak premier to Kazakhstan. I think that we've made a huge step forward, and I believe that everything we agreed on today will be translated into concrete agreements, concrete contracts and very concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation," added Fico. ko/df