MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 28 February 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 27 February): ZIAR NAD HRONOM - The government is keen to see production at aluminium smelter Slovalco resume in 2027, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a news conference after signing a memorandum of understanding on measures to support primary aluminium production in Ziar nad Hronom (Banska Bystrica region) on Friday. According to the premier, the memorandum contains proposals for specific steps that should help to restart operations at the Ziar nad Hronom-based aluminium smelter. These include, for example, changes to the compensation scheme for energy-intensive enterprises and long-term electricity supplies to the plant in Ziar nad Hronom at commercial prices. Fico reiterated that the Ziar nad Hronom plant is a victim of poorly set climate goals and the climate policy of the European Union (EU). "We close an efficient ecological factory that produces the critical material that we need because of high prices, and we import this critical material in millions of tonnes from other regions of the world to Europe," said Fico, adding that the energy costs of companies in China or the USA are significantly lower than those of European factories and that a Europe-wide solution to this situation needs to be sought. In a memorandum signed by Slovalco, the Norwegian owner of the aluminium smelter, and the Environment, Economy and Finance Ministries, the government proposes several specific steps to help the Ziar nad Hronom-based factory restart primary aluminium production. For example, Slovakia plans to ask the European Commission (EC) to approve a change to the state scheme for energy-intensive companies, modelled on the mechanism in place in Germany. "We propose that, as a basis for calculating compensation for indirect costs related to emission permits and emissions, we'll demand that this calculation should be based on 1.5 percent of the company's gross product. As far as income from emission permits is concerned, we suggest that we could use more than 25 percent to compensate for indirect costs," said the premier, adding that the government is also proposing to sign a ten-year contract for electricity supplies to the aluminium smelter at commercial prices. He added that negotiations with Slovalco are due to continue on Monday (2 March). GALANTA - Samsung Electronics Slovakia has officially confirmed that it has decided to close its television manufacturing plant in Galanta (Trnava region), TASR was told by Jaroslav Zilka from Samsung Electronics Slovakia on Friday. Production will be phased out in several stages by May 2026. The gradual departure of employees is planned as of the end of June 2026. The logistics centre in the village of Gan near Galanta will continue to operate. "This step only affects the manufacturing plant. The Samsung brand will continue its existing business activities in Slovakia. At this point, we're focusing on responsibly managing the transition period, in particular on providing adequate compensation and support in finding new jobs for the affected employees," said Zilka, adding that the company made the decision to close the plant in Galanta based on an analysis of its global TV manufacturing network. According to Zilka, the decision isn't related to the business environment in Slovakia or government measures. "During the 24 years that the plant has been operating, Slovakia has always provided a high-quality environment for business development, contributing to Samsung's success in Europe. This decision reflects broader structural changes in the global TV manufacturing market, as well as the company's current global manufacturing strategy, one of the reasons being high energy prices in Slovakia," he added. Employees were informed of the planned termination of production on Friday, 27 February. BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that he and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban are proposing to set up an inspection group to examine the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, TASR has learnt from Fico's post on social media on Friday. The group should be composed of experts nominated by the European Commission and member states. According to Fico, he got the impression that Ukraine is not interested in resuming oil transit. Fico also admitted to meeting with Zelenskyy. He would prefer it to take place in one of the European Union countries. "I informed the president that his decision to halt oil transit is causing us logistical difficulties and economic damage. The conversation confirmed that we have different views on the condition of the pipeline. While our intelligence reports confirm that the pipeline is not damaged and nothing is preventing oil transit, the Ukrainian president insisted that repairing the pipeline would take a long time," wrote Fico. The premier added that the Ukrainian side hasn't yet allowed the Slovak ambassador in Kiev to carry out the inspection. Ukraine was supposed to take the same stance on the inspection by the European Union ambassador to Ukraine. "President Zelenskyy rejected such an inspection, citing the negative opinion of the Ukrainian intelligence services," he stated. The prime minister also confirmed that the Ukrainian head of state had sent an invitation to a joint meeting. "I accepted this invitation and asked the Government Office and the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry to work with the Ukrainian side to find a suitable date for such a meeting, while I prefer to meet with the Ukrainian president in one of the EU member states that the Ukrainian president visits frequently," he wrote. BRATISLAVA - If a general election had been held in February, it would have been won by the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party on 20.6 percent of the votes, followed by the senior governing Smer-SD (16.4 percent) and opposition 'Slovakia' (9.3 percent) parties, according to a recent poll carried out by AKO agency on behalf of Joj 24 television channel. In fourth place would have come the junior coalition Voice-SD party (8.8 percent), followed by the extra-parliamentary Republic (8.7 percent), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS - 7.9 percent), the Christian Democrats (KDH - 7.4 percent), and Democrats (6.2 percent). The parties failing to make it past the 5-percent election threshold would have included the junior governing Slovak National Party (SNS - 4.8 percent), Hungarian Alliance (4.6 percent), 'We Are Family' (2.9 percent), 'Right to Truth' (2.2 percent) and the Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS - 0.2 percent). NIZNY HRABOVEC - The situation at the sludge pond in the municipality of Nizny Hrabovec in the district of Vranov nad Toplou (Presov region) has been stabilised, with the further leakage of hazardous substances prevented, the Interior Ministry's strategic communications department told TASR on Friday, adding that the water level has gradually dropped and is no longer overflowing the dam, so further pumping isn't necessary at this time. "Over the past few days, more than 500 cubic metres of hazardous substances have been pumped out. These have been taken away and will be safely disposed of by a company with the necessary expertise," said the Interior Ministry. am