BRATISLAVA, January, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova and her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban signed on Friday an intergovernmental agreement to build a Slovak-Hungarian natural gas pipeline interconnection. The new pipeline connecting Velky Krtis in Slovakia and Vecses in Hungary is part of the south-north energy project. The signatories pledge to cooperate in constructing, operating and maintaining the pipeline.
„It is a step that means more energy independence for Slovakia. It is an important part of EU energy security. After the agreement [was signed] talks with Poland will continue on the north-south interconnection“, Radicova told a news conference on Friday.
The prime ministers also opened up an issue of interconnection of national electricity transmission grids. Radicova said that they had agreed to proceed in this matter in the same way as regarding the agreement on the interconnection between the gas pipeline systems. Working groups will prepare a proposal and subsequently Slovakia and Hungary might reach an agreement. “Interconnection of electricity transmission grids is a strategic goal for Slovakia,” specified Radicova.
Hungary is interested in building a new bridge in the town of Komarno, near the Hungarian border, and reconstruction of 84 roads which once used to connect the Slovak and Hungarian territories, Orban stated. He added that this plan involves also reconstruction of bridges across the River Ipel. Head of the Slovak Cabinet announced the Hungarian side was prepared to launch the construction of a road infrastructure and connect it with the Slovak R4 dual carriageway. After the route is finished, the dual carriageway would complete the connection of Hungary and Poland via eastern Slovak cities of Kosice and Presov.
During his visit to Slovakia, Viktor Orban assured the Slovak prime minister that Hungary considers the Slovak ethnic minority in Hungary as very valuable and will provide it appropriate respect. He did not want to comment on the prepared revision to the Slovak State Language Act. “Our standpoint is, that we first read and then speak. When a decision is made in the Parliament, we will read it and know what we are talking about,” explained the Hungarian prime minister.
SITA