Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made an official visit to Austria on Monday, January 14, at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann. During the visit, Fico held talks with Faymann and was also received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Speaker of Parliament Barbara Prammer. Fico was accompanied by Minister of Foreign and European
Affairs Miroslav Lajčák.
Slovakia does not have even the slightest interest in making any of its neighbours angry with the country's nuclear power policy, Fico told the TASR newswire and other media journalists after talks with Faymann.
"Even though we don't share the same views concerning nuclear power, we want to offer the maximum possible level of cooperation, so that Austria feels safe," said Fico, referring to Austria’s disapproving stance towards nuclear energy. Faymann conceded that he understands that individual countries must ensure their energy security, but pointed to several risks associated with the use of nuclear power.
Also discussed at the meeting were bilateral relations between the two countries with a focus on the economy and transport. The talks prompted another meeting between Slovakia and Austria at which specific projects are to be discussed. One of these involves a high-speed railway line between Paris and Vienna, and subsequently with nearby Bratislava. The two politicians also broached the formation of a working group to oversee a project involving a fast link between Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. During his visit to Vienna, Fico also attended an Austrian Economic Forum and opened a Hofburgkapelle gala-concert to mark 20 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 20th anniversary of Slovakia joining the UN.
(Source: 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.
