About: Slovakia
Four EU countries call for use of Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine
Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia and Estonia will call on 24 May for the confiscation of Russian assets frozen by the European Union to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine after Russia's invasion, a joint letter written by the four showed on Monday.
EU ministers urge Hungary to sign up to planned Russian oil embargo
EU foreign ministers sought to publicly pressure Hungary on Monday (16 May) to lift its veto on a proposed oil embargo on Russia, with Lithuania saying the bloc was being "held hostage by one member state".
Commission slams Slovakia’s proposed restriction of grain, cereal exports
Slovakia has tabled a proposal that would restrict agricultural commodities exports in light of the war in Ukraine, a move the European Commission has condemned, warning any bans of this nature to destabilise markets and lead to price increases.
EU tweaks Russia oil sanctions plan in bid to win over reluctant states
The European Commission has proposed changes to its planned embargo on Russian oil to give Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic more time to prepare for the shift in their energy supplies, three EU sources said on Friday (6 May).
Slovakia forges ahead on carbon farming
While the EU is still waiting for the European Commission to propose a common framework on promoting farming practices that help remove carbon from the atmosphere, Slovakia has charged ahead and drawn up a new land-use climate fund.
Ukraine receives fighter planes, aircraft parts to bolster air force
Ukraine has received fighter planes and aircraft parts to bolster its air force in the face of Russia's invasion, the Pentagon said Tuesday (19 April), declining to specify the number of aircraft or their origin.
EU funds to help Ukraine refugees are insufficient, frontline countries warn
Frontline EU countries receiving Ukrainian refugees are warning that the bloc's current approach of loosening rules that govern structural fund spending in order to finance the influx of those fleeing the war will be insufficient in the long run.
Russia says will attack Slovakia’s S-300 missile supplies to Ukraine
Russia said on Friday (18 March) it will attack potential supply chains of S-300 air defence systems to Ukraine, following Slovakia’s statement that it is ready to send them to Ukraine if they are immediately replaced.
Slovakia ‘preliminarily’ agrees to send key air defense system to Ukraine
Slovakia has preliminarily agreed to provide Ukraine with a key Soviet-era air defense system to help defend against Russian airstrikes, according to three sources familiar with the matter, CNN reported on Wednesday (16 March).
US rejects Poland’s offer to give it Russian-made fighter jets for Ukraine
The United States rejected a surprise offer by NATO ally Poland to transfer its Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets to a US base in Germany as a way to replenish Ukraine's air force in its defense against invading Russian forces.
NATO to discuss reinforcements in Southeastern Europe
As NATO defence ministers meet in Brussels this week amid US warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine, they are set to come up with a detailed plan for four new battle groups in southeastern Europe. The plan could...
Biden talks to central Europe leaders, pledges more ‘military capabilities’
US President Joe Biden promised central European NATO members "additional military capabilities" on Thursday (9 December) and pledged to involve them in decisions about the region, Lithuania's presidential advisor said.
Slovak government will not yet invest in satellite internet
While EU countries like Germany are investing in satellite internet connections to provide connectivity in hard-to-reach places, Slovakia has decided not to do so, at least for the moment.
European Parliament delegation visits Taiwan
A European Parliament delegation arrived in Taiwan Wednesday (3 November), part of an effort to build closer ties with the island despite warnings from China.
Taiwan delegation irks China with eastern Europe tour
A Taiwanese government delegation is visiting three eastern EU members to the dismay of China, which is irritated by any signs of Taiwan acting as an independent country.
Taiwan foreign minister adds Slovakia to rare Europe trip
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu will visit Slovakia next week on a rare trip to Europe that will also include a trip to the neighbouring Czech Republic and a virtual address to a forum in Rome, his ministry said.
ECB policymaker Kazimir charged with bribery, denies wrongdoing
Slovak central bank Governor and European Central Bank governing council member Peter Kažimír has been charged with bribery but denies wrongdoing and will defend himself against the charges, Kazimir and his lawyer said on Tuesday (12 October).
Lithuania expects delayed Polish gas link to integrate markets
A pipeline designed to connect the gas grids of Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Finland to continental Europe will begin operating in the second half of 2022 after a delay of almost a year, the Lithuanian energy minister told Reuters.
Macron, Orban urge EU to ‘actively support’ nuclear power
A group of seven European leaders fronted by French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the European Commission to stop hindering nuclear power and consider ways of bringing atomic energy into the EU’s green finance rule book ahead of an EU summit on Thursday (25 March).
How carbon pricing is driving the renovation of Czech homes
Like other European countries, the Czech Republic’s buildings are in need of renovation. Unlike others, it partly funds renovation programmes with revenues generated from the emission trading scheme (ETS), an experiment that could be replicated across the EU.
EU regulator urges caution on Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine
A senior European Medicines Agency (EMA) official urged European Union members on Sunday (7 March) to refrain from granting national approvals for Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V while the agency reviews its safety and effectiveness.
Leapfrogging gas: how geothermal could help eastern EU countries ditch fossil fuels
Geothermal energy could help central and eastern Europe break away from coal and gas, but it needs a quicker uptake and government backing to help meet renewable energy targets, advocates say.
Czech coal mining regions confronted with ‘hidden’ energy poverty
While Czech coal mining regions supply heat and electricity to the whole country, local people are often unable to afford heating their own homes, researchers say. More broadly, Czechia is struggling to meet its EU reporting obligations on energy poverty, an issue common to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.