President Peter Pellegrini met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, 15 February, to discuss energy, transatlantic relations, and current global developments. Defense cooperation and the fulfillment of commitments arising from NATO summits were also key topics of discussion. The visit marked the first trip by a US Secretary of State to Slovakia in seven years.
“Our partnership is strategic and delivers concrete results in the areas of defense, security, and energy cooperation,” the Slovak president said. In this context, he praised progress in nuclear energy cooperation, including the new power plant project being implemented by Westinghouse.
“Our cooperation brings strength and resilience. Together, we are ready to shape a safer, more secure, and more peaceful future built on common values,” Pellegrini added.
On Sunday, Rubio also met with Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss cooperation in nuclear energy, as well as possible alternatives for oil and gas supplies to Slovakia, among other issues. The Prime Minister expressed interest in potential joint negotiations between the V4 countries and the United States on energy cooperation and reaffirmed Slovakia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the US in the field of nuclear energy.
“We are very interested in creating a multinational consortium under the leadership of an American partner that would enable Slovakia to build another nuclear unit with an output of 1,200 megawatts by 2040. We also look forward to signing specific agreements with Westinghouse next year,” the Prime Minister said.
According to Fico, Slovakia understands the US position that the European Union must take greater responsibility for its own security and naturally increase defense spending.
Rubio emphasized that Slovakia’s views and position on the war in Ukraine are “very important” to the United States, particularly given the geographical proximity of the two countries. He added that the US expects all countries to act in their national interest. The United States also considers it is important to have strong partners within NATO, as this strengthens the alliance as a whole.
Source: TASR
