MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Friday, 3 July 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Thursday, 2 July): SENEC - Extreme heat and drought will have a negative impact on the overall harvest results in 2026, but it's too early to draw any detailed conclusions, as the harvest season has only just begun, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a news conference during a harvest field trip to the Svaty Martin area of the town of Senec (Bratislava region) on Thursday, noting that regional differences will be rather large. "Although we're pleased that the harvest is underway, we must expect that the yields may not be as high as they were in 2025. But we don't want to draw any final conclusions, as the harvest can only be properly evaluated at its very end, when we'll have a much clearer picture," underlined Fico. According to him, Slovak farmers are beginning to be concerned about whether they'll have enough fodder and of what quality. In connection with the upcoming European Union (EU) budget, Slovakia will insist that the allocation for the Common Agricultural Policy isn't reduced, said the premier. "If anyone wants to push Slovakia into crossing red lines in agricultural policy that would further damage Slovak agriculture, I'll use the right of veto when voting on the budget," stressed Fico. BRATISLAVA - Nine emergencies have now been declared across Slovakia due to a lack of potable water, floods and high winds, Interior Ministry spokesperson Matej Neumann told TASR on Thursday. Emergencies have been declared in the villages of Vitaz, Jarovnice, Lackova, Hniezdne (all Presov region), Prencov (Banska Bystrica region) and Makov (Zilina region), as well as in the towns of Lipany (Presov region) and Sered (Trnava region) and in the city of Presov. Three emergencies have been declared due to a shortage of potable water in the villages of Vitaz, Jarovnice and Prencov. Two more have been declared in connection with floods in the villages of Makov and Lackova. Four emergencies due to high winds are in place in the villages of Lipany and Hniezdne, in the city of Presov, and in the town of Sered, according to data from Monday (29 June) to Wednesday (1 July). Following several days of extreme heat, thunderstorms occurred in several locations in Slovakia on Wednesday. In some areas, the storms were intense, accompanied by heavy rain, strong winds and hail. A second-level storm warning was in place across most of the country, along with a threat of flash floods. The weather also complicated transport, with power outages being reported in several locations as well. BRATISLAVA - Expanding trade, investment, research and innovation between Slovakia and Switzerland is creating new opportunities for business, science and modern technologies in both countries, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) declared on Thursday. Blanar made these remarks during a farewell meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Slovakia Peter Nelson, who is concluding his diplomatic mission in Bratislava. "Slovakia and Switzerland have long enjoyed friendly and constructive relations. I appreciate Ambassador Peter Nelson's personal contribution to their further development, and I'm confident that we'll successfully build on this cooperation in the coming period. Our shared interest remains to continue an open political dialogue and expand cooperation in areas that deliver tangible benefits for the people and economies of both countries," said Blanar. The minister also pointed to the significant potential for expanding cooperation in research, innovation, modern technologies, academia and support for Slovak start-ups. He highlighted the importance of strengthening links between the Slovak scientific and professional community working in Switzerland and institutions in Slovakia. The two sides also discussed the implementation of Switzerland's second contribution programme for Slovakia, under which around €47 million has been allocated through to 2029. Blanar said that the funding supports projects in vocational education, in nature and biodiversity protection, and in health care, contributing to Slovakia's modernisation in these areas. BRATISLAVA - The European Commission could raise objections to Slovakia's national park zoning plans, not because of the zoning itself but due to a provision included in a government resolution, Deputy Environment Minister Filip Kuffa stated on Slovak Radio's 'Z prvej ruky' programme on Thursday. According to Kuffa, the conditions of Slovakia's Recovery and Resilience Plan have not been met. Kuffa said he had already discussed the issue with fellow deputy minister Martina Sabelova, warning her that one provision of the government resolution states that although the land would formally come under the administration of national parks, it would in practice remain under the control of the state forestry enterprise. "From the outset, the European Commission told us that it viewed this as a problem. For me, this is complete nonsense and a major surprise that something like this happened at yesterday's government session," Kuffa said. Opposition MP Tamara Stohlova (Progressive Slovakia/PS) said it was absurd for Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) or Kuffa to claim they did not know how the Recovery Plan criteria had been included. BRATISLAVA - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity party on Thursday called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to dismiss Jozef Holjencik, chair of the Office for the Regulation of Network Industries (URSO) in light of findings by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). According to SaS, ACER has confirmed that Holjencik failed to adequately and promptly disclose his business activities and those of his family, which could constitute a conflict of interest. "Holjencik has long defended himself by claiming that no conflict of interest has existed. Today, however, we have a clear opinion from a European agency, which has reached the opposite conclusion and called on him to take measures to prevent conflicts of interest. If such a person remains in office, the government will send out a clear signal that it doesn't care at all about transparency or the credibility of the state," said MP Karol Galek (SaS). TRNAVA/BRATISLAVA - Trnava Water Company (TAVOS) has recorded declining yields at water sources in several areas within its supply network, with the most critical situation currently seen in the village of Koplotovce, while deteriorating conditions have also been reported in the villages of Smolenice and Losonec, the company's technical and operations director Eleonora Forgova has told TASR. "The situation has been caused by a prolonged rainfall deficit, persistent drought and high temperatures, which are limiting the natural replenishment of groundwater reserves. Combined with increased drinking water consumption during the summer period, this is placing growing pressure on water-supply systems, particularly in municipalities served by local sources with limited capacity," she warned. Forgova stated that the water-supply schedule is being continuously coordinated with local authorities and communicated to inhabitants via the municipalities. TAVOS has called on all customers to use drinking water responsibly and sparingly. It said that during the ongoing drought and period of increased consumption, drinking water should be prioritised for essential needs, especially drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene. jrg