Slovakia

Slovakia’s Fico in surprise visit to Putin in Moscow

bne Berlin bureau December 23, 2024

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a surprise trip to Moscow on December 22 to hold rare face to face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he seeks to secure gas deliveries ahead of the end of the Ukrainian gas transit deal next week.

The EU Council calls for a European geothermal action plan

bne IntelliNews December 19, 2024

The energy ministers in the EU Energy Council approved the outline of a European geothermal energy action plan on December 17.

Czech EPH signs agreement with Italian Enel to buy its stake in Slovenske Elektrarne

Albin Sybera December 19, 2024

Italian utility sells out to politically well-connected partner EPH after years of rowing with Slovak government over country's main power group.

FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 18, 2024

wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.

Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian and Italian groups sign declaration backing continued gas transit through Ukraine

Newsbase December 17, 2024

Russia’s contract to transit gas through Ukraine is due to expire at the end of this year, putting 14 bcm per year of gas supply to Europe at risk.

Hungary and Slovakia block EU sanctions on Georgian Dream

bne IntelliNews December 16, 2024

EU foreign ministers consider sanctions on top Georgian Dream officials and limiting the visa-free regime for Georgians.

IMF: The 2004 EU enlargement was a success story built on deep reform efforts

Sebastian Weber for the IMF December 16, 2024

New accession candidates will need to undertake equally ambitious reforms to make the next expansion a comparable success.

UK government approves Křetínský’s takeover of Royal Mail

Albin Sybera December 16, 2024

UK government will retain a “golden share” in the postal service, giving it special rights.

Slovak healthcare labour union accuses ministry of escalating health crisis

Albin Sybera December 16, 2024

Slovakia's health system is facing a critical period this Christmas as doctors threaten to quit and parliament bans them from doing so.

Slovak finance ministry accuses Moody’s of political bias after rating lowered

Albin Sybera December 16, 2024

Rating lowered to "A3", the lowest for 20 years.

Slovak inflation hits 3.2% y/y in November

Albin Sybera December 15, 2024

Inflation accelerated slightly on the 3.1% y/y growth in October and was the third highest this year amid a continued rise in food prices. The m/m rate is a slowdown on the 0.7% m/m growth in October.

Slovakia will continue supplying Czechia with processed Russian oil for another six months

Albin Sybera December 13, 2024

Slovakia prolongs exemption from EU sanctions on oil products from imported Russian oil.

Slovak industry maintains growth of 1.3% y/y in October

bne IntelliNews December 10, 2024

Slovakia’s industrial output maintained growth of 1.3% year on year in October amid the continued strong production of transportation equipment.

COMMENT: European countries plan hydrogen import infrastructure to achieve climate goals

Fuad Shahbazov in Durham December 6, 2024

Talks between Greece's DESFA and several Southeast and Central European countries aim to establish a new hydrogen corridor to Germany.

Slovak coalition wobbles but will it fall down?

Albin Sybera in Bratislava December 5, 2024

Robert Fico's populist government now has the slimmest possible majority of 76 legislators, raising speculation about early elections.

Czechia to open oil reserves after Russia halts Druzhba pipeline flows

Albin Sybera December 5, 2024

Russian move seen as reaction to Czech statement that it won't ask for the prolonging of its exemption from the EU ban on imports of petroleum products made from Russian oil.

Emerging Europe winemakers sparkle as global wine production declines

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 4, 2024

Global production is set to fall 2% this year, but countries in Emerging Europe including Georgia, Hungary and Russia are bucking the trend, says the OIV.

Slovak parliament approves state budget for 2025

Albin Sybera December 3, 2024

Rebel MPs back budget but speculation persists about an early election, something that Prime Minister Robert Fico himself has encouraged.

Slovak foreign minister culls diplomatic staff

Albin Sybera December 2, 2024

The move is seen as part of the left-right government's reorientation of the country’s foreign policy from a staunch backer of Ukraine to a Kremlin-pleasing stance.

Gas prices rising as EU storage tanks empty faster than usual

bne IntelliNews December 2, 2024

Gas withdrawals from EU underground storage tanks have accelerated as Europe suffers from the first cold snap of winter. Gas tanks were 85.5% full as of December 1, having peaked at 95.3% full on October 29, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe.

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