PM Robert Fico on November 12 led negotiations with representatives of food chains operating in Slovakia that he has recently accused of misusing their dominant position to raise food prices. At the meeting, the Government was also represented by Economy Minister Ľubomír Jahnátek, and economy and agriculture ministries' state secretaries Peter Žiga and Vladimír Palsa, respectively.
According to Fico's Spokesperson Silvia Glendová, representatives of the business chains said they were ready to do their bit to see the Euro adopted as scheduled on January 1, 2009. At the same time, they expressed a willingness to continue a dialogue on prices rather than have it discussed in the media.
Both sides, at Jahnátek's initiative, agreed to form a joint working group featuring representatives of government, producers, processors and sellers. Among its aims will be analysing the process of setting food prices in the light of current developments in the prices of raw foods as well as final consumer prices. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.