MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 17 January 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 16 January): WASHINGTON - My working trip to the USA is fully in line with Slovakia's sovereign foreign policy, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) posted on social media from Washington DC on Friday in response to critical comments from the opposition. According to him, Slovakia needs new sources of electricity production. "From our own experience, we can confirm that ambitious climate targets and increasing energy needs can't be met without nuclear energy. After good experience with the Russians, we're diversifying and are interested in building a new nuclear unit in Jaslovske Bohunice [Trnava region] in cooperation with American partners," he stated. "That's why we intend to sign a framework agreement between the governments of the USA and Slovakia today. Only after this agreement has been signed can we begin to discuss specific cooperation between Slovakia and American and other companies in constructing a new nuclear power plant," he wrote. The prime minister went on to say that he doesn't want to give the same impression as German politicians who, in the name of "ideological green madness", first shut down all nuclear power sources, only for Chancellor Friedrich Merz to now speak of a huge mistake. "Back in 2008, my government made the right decision, despite enormous resistance in the EU, to complete the third and fourth units of the Mochovce nuclear power plant [Nitra region]," he emphasised. "If my visit to the USA includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump, I can only welcome it. I've already become used to being labelled a Russian and Chinese agent after important meetings with the Russian and Chinese presidents, so I'm not surprised that the opposition and the media are now accusing me of being an American agent. This is quite picturesque, because we're in NATO along with the USA. I have been, am, and will continue to be only an agent of the Slovak Republic; nothing else matters to me," stressed Fico. BRATISLAVA - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has decided to evacuate staff and temporarily close the Slovak Embassy in Tehran, making the decision due to the significantly deteriorating security situation in Iran, growing tensions, and the real threat of an escalation of military conflict, TASR was told by the ministry's communications department on Friday. "Our primary concern is always the safety of Slovak citizens who are in risk areas, including ministry employees on assignment. At this moment, all diplomats and employees of the Slovak Embassy in Tehran are safe and out of any security risk. My decision to temporarily close the embassy is a preventive measure aimed at protecting lives and health and does not imply downgrading of diplomatic relations with Iran," said Blanar, praising the preparedness and coordination of all parties involved during the evacuation and their professional response to the crisis, which ensured the safe return of all employees. BRATISLAVA - Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has ordered an internal audit of relevant public procurements in the health-care sector over the past few months, doing so in response to a suggestion from employees of the Health Ministry, who pointed out possible irregularities in the assessment and implementation of public procurement, as well as in the interest of maintaining the highest standards of transparency and economy, TASR was told by the ministry's spokesperson Veronika Danicova on Friday. "Our goal is absolute transparency and zero tolerance for any misconduct. The public must be assured that public resources in health care are being used as economically and efficiently as possible. That's why I've immediately ordered a comprehensive internal audit to review the processes and contracts that are the subject of the questions. If any misconduct is proven, I'll hold those responsible accountable, both factually and personally," said Sasko in response to complaints from Health Ministry employees, which were brought to his attention by his office before Christmas after a meeting with the employees who filed the complaints. The ministry emphasises that assessments of specifications and price maps are for informational purposes only in public procurement. When making the final decision on the outcome of public procurement, the relevant managers and responsible executives must also take into account other important factors that may not be fully reflected in the price maps. These include, for example, assessing infrastructure as critical, taking into account the specifics of the Slovak market and inflation, and ensuring compatibility with existing systems. BRATISLAVA - Government Proxy for Investigation into COVID-19 Pandemic Management Peter Kotlar has said that he has no information about any charges pressed against him, as reported by Plus 7 Dni weekly. According to the weekly, the alleged charge concerns the spreading of a false alarm. "I'm not aware of any charge. I have no knowledge of that so far, nor have I received any official notification," Kotlar told TASR on Friday. Bratislava regional police spokesperson Michal Szeiff has confirmed for TASR that the criminal police department of the Bratislava Region Police Directorate is currently working on criminal proceedings in a case concerning the criminal offence of spreading a false alarm. "As the investigation hasn't yet been concluded, it isn't possible to provide any further details at present in order to preserve its objectivity and to prevent it from being compromised," said Szeiff. Bratislava Region Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that criminal proceedings have been initiated with respect to statements that Kotlar made in October of last year. BRATISLAVA/BRUSSELS - The European Commission (EC) on Friday greenlighted Slovakia's sixth request for a payment of €591 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with the Commission concluding that Slovakia has satisfactorily met all eight pre-defined milestones and 11 targets. "This is a crucial step towards implementing reforms and investments linked to this request in the areas of the business environment, digitisation, education, public administration, a green economy, the labour market, research and health," reported the EC Representation in Slovakia's press department. One of the key measures included in this latest application was the formation of regional centres to support schools. Slovakia has launched 40 curriculum management centres with teams ready to assist in implementing curriculum reform, improving education and supporting school staff. am