As reported by Reuters
Next week Slovakia plans to sign an agreement with the United States on cooperation in nuclear energy. Such plans were announced by Robert Fico, the prime minister of the country, citing Reuters and Ukrinform.
Slovakia currently operates five nuclear reactors at two power plants and since last year has been negotiating with the United States on the construction of a large plant in partnership with the American company Westinghouse. According to Fico, the new unit will have approximately 1,200 MW of capacity, exceeding the output of the operating reactors.
In cooperation with American partners we want to build a new massive unit that will be fully owned by the state, on the site of the existing nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice
– Robert Fico
Future steps and context of the agreement
Fico noted that he would like to participate in signing a more general agreement between Slovakia and the United States in the nuclear field, which is set to take place in Washington on Friday. He did not disclose more detailed information about the signing itself.
Timeline of events and previous decisions
In October, the Slovak government approved an intergovernmental agreement with the United States on the construction of a new energy block, and in December Fico stated that U.S. President Donald Trump invited him to the United States during this year’s World Cup for signing the nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries.
As Ukrinform reported, the Slovak prime minister acknowledges differences in views on the Ukraine situation, but hopes for mutually beneficial projects and plans to hold a joint meeting of the two governments.