SaS Calls on Premier to Disclose Nuclear Agreement between Slovakia and USA

Bratislava, 20 January (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party on Tuesday called on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to finally publish the wording of the Slovak-US inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, which he signed in the United States last week. According to SaS, the premier should do so in order to disperse the demagogy surrounding the memorandum and the prepared construction of a new nuclear power unit in Slovakia. "Robert Fico simply has to disclose what he's committed himself to in this agreement, dispel all the doubts that we have about this agreement, and truly prove that there's no technology or supplier on the table at the moment," said MP Karol Galek (SaS). The premier is spreading half-truths and misleading people on the whole issue, stated Galek, adding that several facts prove this. "First and foremost, it must be said that the memorandum is a non-binding agreement between Slovakia and the United States on cooperation in the field of education and exchanges of experience. Secondly, this memorandum shouldn't have been signed by Robert Fico, as the US Secretary of Energy is not his partner," stressed Galek. Galek pointed out that although the premier links the memorandum to a new nuclear power plant, no technology or supplier has yet been selected for this project. In line with the valid schedule, this should happen no earlier than 2027, after all relevant suppliers have been contacted. Galek once again rejected the sum of €15 billion [presented by Fico as the cost of the power unit's construction], describing it as "pulled out of thin air". If it were true, the Slovak project would be twice as expensive as a similar one in the neighbouring Czech Republic. The opposition MP also criticised the approach of Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) in connection with the new nuclear power unit. According to the opposition MP, she's seeking a way to quit cooperation with Czech energy concern CEZ regarding the project. "What could be the reason? Maybe it's the fact that CEZ is watching Robert Fico's hands very closely today and they themselves are pointing out that, for God's sake, we can't build two reactors in the Czech Republic for €16 billion, while you in Slovakia would build one for €15 billion," stated Galek, adding that the cancellation charge for the Czech company could amount to €200 million. The SaS MP also said that he's joined an initiative of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) to convene a special session of the parliamentary economic affairs committee on this issue. It should be held within seven days. ko/df