MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 30 June 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 29 June): BRATISLAVA - Slovakia and Spain share almost identical views on all the military conflicts currently taking place in the world, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) told a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares, whom he welcomed to Bratislava on Monday. Blanar noted that it was the first visit by a Spanish foreign affairs minister to Slovakia in 20 years. According to Blanar, Spain pursues a pragmatic foreign policy based on compliance with international law and mutual respect. "Slovakia is doing the same, and we see eye to eye on these issues. We discussed several geopolitical issues regarding cooperation and multilateralism, and we agreed that diplomacy must play a greater role in resolving them. We should strive to address all problems through dialogue and diplomacy rather than through weapons. We hold almost the same opinion on all the conflicts that are currently taking place," said the Slovak minister, referring to the conflict involving Iran and the situation in the Gaza Strip. "We agree that we don't want Lebanon to be another part of Gaza, and therefore it is necessary for Israel to also abide by the agreements that were concluded between the United States of America and Iran," he added. MOCHOVCE - The fourth block of the Mochovce nuclear power plant (NPP) has received an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (UJD), and fuel loading and the reactor startup process have begun, head of power utility Slovenske elektrarne Branislav Strycek, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) and chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority Marta Ziakova announced at a joint press conference on Monday. Strycek explained that once the block is launched, Slovakia will generate 77.5 percent of its electricity at nuclear power plants, which should put it in first place worldwide and surpass the current leader, France. Electricity production in Slovakia is expected to increase to 37 terawatt-hours (TWh), while Slovakia's current consumption is around 28 TWh. Slovakia will thus definitively become a net exporter of electricity. Prime Minister Fico emphasised that the completion of both Mochovce blocks cost €6.7 billion, which he considers an exceptionally low price. The new planned nuclear unit, which is expected to have approximately 20 percent higher capacity than the two blocks at Mochovce after their capacity is increased from 470 megawatts to 500 megawatts, is estimated to cost €12-15 billion. BRATISLAVA - A temperature record was set in Slovakia on Monday, reaching 41 degrees Celsius, TASR was told by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU). The reading was recorded at the weather station in Turna nad Bodvou in Kosice region, surpassing the all-time temperature record set in July 2007, when 40.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in Hurbanovo (Nitra region). SHMU also recorded the highest air temperatures at the Strkovec precipitation station in Banska Bystrica region, reaching 40.6 degrees Celsius. SHMU also saw a record of 40.5 degrees Celsius at the Muzla climatological station in Nitra region. The 2007 record from Hurbanovo was tied at the Mochovce station in Nitra region and the Somotor station in Kosice region (both at 40.3 degrees Celsius). "These figures are preliminary at this time; we'll verify them in the coming days," added SHMU climatologist Katarina Mikulova. ISTANBUL - Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) reaffirmed Slovakia's clear transatlantic commitment on Monday at the NATO parliamentary summit in Istanbul, Turkey, the Parliament's communications department told TASR on Monday, adding that he emphasised the irreplaceable role of national parliaments in approving defence budgets. During meetings with partners from NATO member states, he discussed regional stability and reiterated that peaceful diplomacy remains a priority of Slovak foreign policy. The parliamentary leaders addressed transatlantic security, defence capacity-building, and the current security agenda ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara this July. "Our foreign and security policy is firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO. These two memberships form the foundation of our security and prosperity, and NATO remains the most important pillar of our defence, all the more so in today's unpredictable geopolitical environment," Rasi said in his speech, noting that it's necessary to create a stronger European pillar within the Alliance that will bolster our defence readiness. The Slovak House chair presented specific results of Slovakia's investments in modernising its own defence forces and strengthening its technical infrastructure. "Slovakia has recently been investing responsibly and significantly in its defence capabilities so that we are prepared for all scenarios. Thanks to these investments, our country has become one of the leading producers of ammunition within the entire Alliance in terms of its share of total GDP," he stated. ZILINA - Incumbent chairwoman of the Zilina regional authority Erika Jurinova will run for re-election in the October elections for the regional authorities, TASR has learnt on Monday in Zilina, where representatives of political parties, local authorities, and the civil sector gathered to express their support for her. "I'm convinced that I still have something to offer. Despite the many projects we've implemented, we still have a vision that resonates with the region's residents," said Jurinova, explaining her decision to run. Jurinova's priorities include health care, particularly fair funding for hospitals. Another priority is regional connectivity - second- and third-class roads and bridges - and the integration of Zilina and Trencin regions. The third priority is social services. "We're a leader in the field of social services, and we urgently need to expand the system to include services that are still lacking in the region. We still don't have a centre for people with autism, and we don't have a sufficient network of outpatient services - we plan to implement all of this," emphasised the Zilina governor. BRATISLAVA - Current geopolitical challenges, the promotion of Slovakia's foreign policy priorities, and the future direction of economic diplomacy are high on the agenda of the annual meeting of heads of Slovak diplomatic missions in Bratislava, the ministry's communications department told TASR on Monday, adding that 75 ambassadors serving abroad have arrived for the three-day working meeting, which is taking place from Monday through Wednesday (1 July) at the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry in Bratislava. Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated that the annual meeting provides an opportunity to align the priorities of Slovak diplomacy and to jointly seek answers to the challenges facing the international community today. "Our ambassadors are the voice of Slovakia in the world. Their role is to promote our national interests, develop political and economic relations, protect citizens of the Slovak Republic abroad, and enhance Slovakia's reputation. At a time of dynamic geopolitical changes, it is also extremely important for Slovak diplomacy to act in a unified and predictable manner and to consistently advance Slovakia's priorities as set forth in the government manifesto," said Blanar, thanking the senior diplomats for representing Slovakia's interests abroad. jrg