Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Ľubomír Vážny said on July 15 that after the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) approval of a €250-million loan for the completion of the R1 express highway the negotiations with the contractor – French construction and electrical engineering company VINCY – have moved forward, the TASR newswire reported.
“The Council approved the project at its session today but the investment itself is still subject to agreement between all the participating parties,” the head of EBRD's department of media relations, Anthony Williams, told TASR on July 14.
“Theoretically, when we agree, under appropriate conditions and with a consolidation of the state’s positions, the project could be approved by the Government on August 19 and I could sign it on August 20,” Vážny stated following the government session on July 15.
Because of a recent amendment to the law on public procurement, after the addendum to the contract with the contractor has been signed, a 30-day period must elapse before the construction work begins, Vážny said, adding that he believes the negotiations with the contractor can be concluded within the next few days and construction can start in autumn. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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