SUMMARY - Monday, 18 August 2025 - 5 p.m.

Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) – The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party has criticised Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for his stance on the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a betrayal of Slovakia's interests. https://etasr.sk/article/22363048 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - Rather than the functioning self-governing regions, which have recently proven their readiness and flexibility as opposed to the "clumsy" state, it is the bloated state administration which poses the biggest challenge, according to the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) in a statement provided by its communications department to TASR on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/22363047 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) – No major disputes arose over any of the education legislation discussed during Monday's session of the Slovak Economic and Social Council (HSR), Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) announced at a press conference in the day. https://etasr.sk/article/22363017 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - The Druzba pipeline stopped supplying crude oil to Slovakia on Monday, oil-transport operator Transpetrol confirmed for TASR on the same day, adding that this isn't currently affecting oil transport through Slovak territory. https://etasr.sk/article/22362947 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - The public procurement procedures to find contractors for all three sections of the D3 motorway have been completed, with building permits already issued for two of the sections and the third permit expected within a few days, Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) told a a press conference on Monday, adding that the construction work should begin this year. https://etasr.sk/article/22362930 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - Regions in Slovakia have existed for 24 years and have proven their importance during that period, and the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) does not consider the Slovak National Party's (SNS) proposal to potentially reduce their number to be a consolidation measure that would have an immediate impact on public finances, stated ZMOS chairman Jozef Bozik on Monday, adding that such a change would also require time and analyses. https://etasr.sk/article/22362884 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia party is proposing that the list of posts deemed incompatible with that of a regional councillor should be expanded, TASR has reported on the basis of an amendment to the act on self-governining regions submitted by MPs Marek Lackovic a Jana Hanuliakova (both PS). https://etasr.sk/article/22362881 Bratislava, 18 August (TASR) - The social partners (representatives of employers and employees) have failed to agree on the level of next year's minimum wage, so it will be determined by a Labour Ministry automaton, resulting in an increase of nearly €100 to a total of €915 per month, said Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) on Monday after a meeting of the Economic and Social Council (HSR). https://etasr.sk/article/22362812 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. mf