Fico: South Korean Companies Will Bring Further Investments in Slovakia

Bratislava, September 30 (TASR) - Companies from South Korea are expected to bring further investments to Slovakia, in particular in the automotive industry, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said on Facebook following the end of his and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova's (Voice-SD) trip to South Korea on Monday, adding that this could help in the development of the Upper Nitra area in Trencin region, for instance. "I have to say today that we were notified of further investments from [South Korea] in Slovakia, in particular in an area where there's a dire need for them. The hard-tested Upper Nitra area, which is dealing with the closing of coal mines, can suddenly be home to a company offering hundreds of jobs that will primarily focus on the production of products for the automotive industry," Fico claimed. However, according to the prime minister, the main objective of the visit was the issue of possible cooperation with South Korea in the construction of a completely new nuclear reactor at Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear power plant with an output of 1,200 megawatts. "Let's not lie to ourselves and admit that Slovakia needs such a source, because there will be an immense increase in electricity consumption, and although there are two functioning nuclear power plants in Slovakia today, it won't be enough," the prime minister stressed, adding he and the South Korean partners have found common ground. In Fico's view, South Korea is an extremely promising country that can bring further development as far as Slovakia is concerned. The prime minister invited his South Korean counterpart to visit Slovakia and also forwarded an invitation from Slovak President Petr Pellegrini to the South Korean president. zel/mcs