Premier: I'm Ready to Support Environment Ministry's Priorities

Bratislava, November 9 (TASR) - Following his meeting with Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) on Thursday, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said that he's ready to support the priorities of the Environment Ministry. According to Taraba, the ministry is signed up with all the milestones included in the recovery plan and will communicate with the European Commission about possible changes. It wants the money to be allocated for meaningful projects. The premier and Taraba went jointly through the draft government manifesto in the area of the environment. "I can express my conviction that the ministry's leadership meets the personnel and professional criteria to handle the demanding challenges in this area," said Fico. He asked Taraba to cooperate with Vice-premier Peter Kmec in connection with the recovery plan and Investment Minister Richard Rasi (both Voice-SD) regarding EU funds. "I believe that we'll have enough common sense to avoid any contest between ministers as to who keeps the most money only to find out later that they are unable to spend it," said the premier. At the same time, he welcomed cooperation between the Environment and Agriculture Ministries. One of the most pressing issues faced by the Environment Ministry is to ensure that electricity continues to be generated at the Gabcikovo hydro-power plant. According to Taraba, the turbines there have exceeded their lifespan by ten years. A few years ago their replacement would have cost €80 million, now it will be some €230 million, stated Taraba, adding that this is a prime ministerial issue. Taraba mentioned another problem - mechanical-biological treatment of municipal waste, which is to be introduced in Slovakia as of next year. According to him, half of Slovakia is ready for this, but the other half isn't. ​ ko/df