US-Slovak Agreement on Nuclear Energy Published in Slovak Collection of Laws

Bratislava, 23 January (TASR) - The inter-governmental agreement between Slovakia and the United States of America in the field of civil nuclear energy was published in the Slovak Collection of Laws on Friday. The agreement should serve as the basis for a contract for constructing a new nuclear power unit at Jaslovske Bohunice (Trnava region). "The agreement creates a comprehensive framework for cooperation that will enable the Slovak Republic to develop its civil nuclear programme over the long term, to systematically strengthen expert and institutional capacities, and to create the professional prerequisites for developing nuclear energy in line with national strategic objectives," said the Slovak Economy Ministry on Friday. The ministry added that other EU-member states, such as Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania, already have similar inter-governmental agreements with the United States, and that the signing of the agreement was consulted with the European Commission. The signed document envisages expert consultations, the promotion of civil nuclear energy within the European Union, and the organisation of workshops, meetings, seminars and conferences, as well as support for developing, constructing and financing a new nuclear unit with the aim of putting the reactor in operation in 2040. In line with the agreement, Slovakia shall encourage the project company to select a U.S. nuclear reactor design, to engage a U.S. entity as the technology vendor for the project, and to consider a U.S. entity as the contractor providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the project. Slovakia shall encourage the relevant participants to consider selecting U.S. technology for potential other nuclear energy projects for inclusion in the programme. The Economy Ministry added that constructing and operating the new nuclear facility will create thousands of new jobs and provide stable employment throughout the plant's lifetime. The project will support the development of sub-contracting chains and technological know-how, and it will strengthen Slovakia's export capacity in the electricity sector. ko/df