Slovakia Agrees with Austria on Using Experience from Zoning of National Parks

Bratislava, December 12 (TASR) - Slovakia has agreed with Austria on using its experience from zoning national parks, the Environment Ministry has informed TASR after bilateral talks held by Slovak Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) with his Austrian counterpart Leonore Gewessler on the sidelines of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai on Monday (December 11). The Austrian minister highlighted the contribution made by national parks, which play a significant role in the state's nature conservation policy. They boost regional development and, via national park administration, build infrastructure for visitors, initiate projects focused on nature conservation and research, build spaces for education and work with the public. Taraba wants to make use of Austria's experience in managing national parks in Slovakia. Taraba informed Gewessler about Slovakia's commitments regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. He mentioned the end of subsidised coal mining and electricity production in the Upper Nitra area, investments in low-carbon technologies and the decarbonisation of industry and the energy sector. He also emphasised the importance of nuclear energy for Slovakia, which makes it one of the countries with the cleanest electricity production in the world. "Austria's different attitude towards nuclear energy use as a clean source of energy doesn't prevent our countries from developing bilateral cooperation. We strive for good, even above-standard neighbourly relations. We want to draw inspiration from issues related to the regional development, national park administration and environmental-friendly waste processing," stated Taraba. The two ministers also touched on the issue of the PET bottle and can deposit system that Austria plans to launch in 2025. Slovakia introduced this in 2022. ko/df