PM: We'll Submit Initiative Concerning Aluminium Production in Ziar nad Hronom-2

Bratislava, 8 January (TASR) - Slovakia intends to present an initiative within the European Union (EU) that is based on the example of the halt to aluminium production in Ziar nad Hronom (Banska Bystrica region), said Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) following his talks with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis, who is paying an official visit to Slovakia on Thursday. Fico described aluminium production in Ziar nad Hronom, which was halted in 2022 as a result of high energy prices, as a model example of "how a meaningless green deal can destroy a modern ecological factory". "So, let's make a model example of how to restore such important companies that are sinking under the pressure of senseless energy prices," he said. Later at the press conference, Fico specified that he envisions a temporary suspension of the emissions-allowance system. "I'll propose that we take an emissions holiday for four-five years, and I'll monitor other countries' initiatives in this regard very closely," said Fico, adding that the problem of the impact of high energy prices on industry isn't faced solely by Slovakia and the Czech Republic, but by the whole of Europe. Fico spoke about the Slovak initiative in connection with an initiative on energy prices that is being prepared by the Czech premier. "We agree that the biggest problem for EU competitiveness is energy prices, so I took the information that the Czech premier wants to submit an initiative in this regard very seriously," said Fico. The Czech premier announced that he'll submit the initiative in the form of a letter to European leaders on the occasion of an informal summit scheduled for 12 February. "There's a need to look at what happened after the introduction of the ETS 1 system, what huge economic damage it's caused. A directive should never be introduced without impact studies and without predicting developments, with it ending in a completely different way and in disaster," stressed Babis. "Therefore, it's necessary to gain more allies and to convince the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament to return to this issue," he added. The two premiers also agreed to resume joint sessions of the Slovak and Czech governments, with the next one due to be held in the Czech Republic. Both of them declared the importance of cooperation within the Visegrad Four (V4 - Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) and Austerlitz (Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria) formats. Babis declared that the Czech Republic is ready to provide maximum assistance with gas transit once the supplies from Russia are halted, and Fico stressed that the two governments will hold talks on the issue of providing gas transit to Slovakia after this point. "I've identified two important gas-related projects, and the relevant ministers will be able to address the issue at a joint government session," he said. Fico also suggested that the two countries should sign a memorandum on deepening bilateral cooperation at the joint session. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 3, 5 and 7. ko/df