Fico: Signing Nuclear Agreement with USA Makes Slovakia Exceptional Country

Washington, 17 January (TASR) - Slovakia will be an exceptional country thanks to signing an inter-governmental agreement on the U.S.-Slovak civil nuclear power cooperation, since it will have experience with both Russian and US technologies in the field of civil nuclear energy, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) after its ceremonial signing in Washington on Friday (16 January), the Government Office's press department has informed TASR. The agreement was signed by Secretary of Energy Christopher A. Wright on the US part and Premier Fico on behalf of Slovakia. On this occasion, the premier thanked Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) for preparing the draft agreement. According to Fico, the agreement opens the door to negotiations on the supply of US nuclear technology to Slovakia with the aim of building and putting into operation in 2040-2041 a completely new nuclear power unit with an output of 1,200 MWh in premises of the current nuclear power plant in Jaslovske Bohunice. "We need a new nuclear source. Some of our reactors are gradually nearing the end of their service life, and we also have to respond to increased energy needs, electromobility, the interest in building data centres and creating conditions for artificial intelligence. Slovakia must also have the ambition to be an electricity exporter. All of this is the reason why we want to have a new nuclear unit 100-percent in the state hands. Although we currently have six functional reactors in Slovakia, in Jaslovske Bohunice and in Mochovce, we only control 34 percent of this nuclear wealth," stated Fico. The premier said that Slovakia will never be an economic or military power due to the size of its economy, but it can be a significant international player. "Any country having resources that ensure its self-sufficiency in electricity and at the same time the ability to export electricity will be a safe country in the near future," he said. After signing the agreement, Fico will move from Washington to the south of the United States to meet US President Donald Trump. Their meeting will take place on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. local time at the Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. ko