PM Fico Wants to See Solution for Slovalco Aluminium Plant by End of February

Bratislava, 31 January (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wants to see a proposal for a solution for the Slovalco aluminium plant in Ziar nad Hronom (Banska Bysrica region) ready by the end of February, as the plant needs to be reopened, TASR reported on Saturday based on information provided by Fico on social media. "We would be crazy to keep the ecological production of aluminium closed, as it's a strategic resource, and import almost all of it from China," remarked Fico. On the issue of rental housing, he said the government has managed to find the first amount of €20 million for restarting the construction of rental flats in towns and villages through the State Housing Development Fund, adding that further information will be provided within a week. According to Fico, a conference organised in cooperation with the European Commission will be held on 17 February to address the construction of rental flats through private investment. The event will be attended by European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen. In February, inspection days are scheduled to take place in connection with several strategic healthcare and transport projects. Furthermore, the government will also hold its away-from-home sessions in Trnava and Hlohovec (Trnava region). In addition, the renovated hospital in Spisska Nova Ves (Kosice region) is scheduled to open by the end of February as well. "Negotiations will be held with certain foreign companies that might be participating in the construction of a new nuclear unit in Jaslovske Bohunice [nuclear power plant]. We're embarking on an intensive cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on pro-growth measures, and February will also be important in terms of working on the vision and strategy for Slovakia until 2040 – a strategic document that is being prepared by the government together with the Slovak Academy of Sciences," concluded Fico. jrg