AGP Executive Report

Oil Supply Risk: A fire was reported at a Russian pumping station believed to be part of the Druzhba network, which carries oil to Slovakia and Hungary. The cause was reported as a drone strike; no disruption to Slovak supplies has been confirmed. Energy Costs: Slovakia and its Visegrad partners urged the EU to ease pressure on industry, calling for more flexible use of EU funds to help cover high energy bills and for nuclear power to receive equal recognition in EU policy. Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has begun supplying electricity to the grid after connecting on 15 October. The operator says the unit is still in commissioning; once fully operational, it is expected to generate about 13% of Slovakia’s current electricity consumption. Rail Links: Ukraine is studying a proposed standard-gauge line to Slovakia, which could strengthen cross-border freight capacity and regional business links.

Nuclear Power: Mochovce’s fourth unit has begun supplying electricity to the Slovak grid after connecting on 15 October. The 471 MW reactor is still in staged commissioning; full operation could make Slovakia a net electricity exporter. Industry and Energy Costs: Slovakia and its Visegrad partners want EU funds made more flexible to help industry cope with high energy bills, including operating costs, and are pressing for nuclear power to receive equal standing with renewables. Bratislava is also seeking support for infrastructure to replace Russian gas while keeping prices affordable. Rail Manufacturing: State rail operator ZSSK signed a €266 million contract with Škoda Group and ŽOS Trnava for eight long-distance electric trains, with an option for seven more. Investment: A Chinese industrial group has reportedly moved a $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco. Mining: Sturec gold-project testwork found high recovery rates in fresh rock, feeding a pre-feasibility study; results are preliminary and do not establish mine economics.

Industry Support: V4 energy ministers called for more flexible EU funds to help companies manage high energy costs, including support for operating expenses, and urged the EU to treat nuclear power on equal terms with renewables. Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has supplied electricity to Slovakia’s grid for the first time, beginning staged commissioning at about 20% of its planned thermal power. At full operation, the 471 MW unit is expected to generate around 13% of Slovakia’s current electricity use. Energy Security: The European Commission says improved gas links with Poland and access to Croatia’s LNG terminal can help Slovakia replace Russian gas without driving up prices. Manufacturing Investment: A Chinese industrial group has moved a reported $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco.

Energy Costs: Slovakia was among the countries pushing for more flexibility on EU carbon pricing to ease pressure on manufacturers. Leaders left calls to delay ETS2 unresolved, but asked the Commission to review its impact and safeguards. Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has connected to the grid, while Slovakia and Bulgaria have discussed possible new nuclear capacity and gas supplies. Manufacturing Investment: A Chinese industrial group is moving a $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for the country’s efforts to attract industrial investment. Transport: Ryanair plans to grow services to and from Bratislava even as it cuts capacity in Vienna.

Energy Costs: EU leaders ended their Brussels summit without agreement on easing carbon-market rules, despite Slovakia and other Central European governments arguing that carbon costs threaten manufacturers. A fresh assessment is planned, but no delay to ETS2 was approved. Power Supply: Mochovce 4 has begun feeding electricity into Slovakia’s grid. At full capacity, the 471-MW reactor is expected to provide about 13% of the country’s current electricity use. Investment: A Chinese industrial group has moved a planned $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for efforts to attract manufacturing investment. Trade and Industry: Australia’s defence minister is considering a Slovakia visit, while an Australian business delegation is expected to follow up on talks with Slovak companies and institutions. Energy Ties: Robert Fico’s government plans to revive energy and trade talks with Russia in November, as EU data show Russian LNG imports rose 9.5% in the first nine months of 2026.

Energy Costs: Slovakia joined the push to delay the EU’s ETS2 carbon charges, but leaders made no postponement; the Commission will review the scheme. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is due in Bratislava on Monday for talks on energy prices and supply security with Visegrad ministers. Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has begun supplying the grid. Its 471-megawatt unit is expected to provide about 13% of Slovakia’s current electricity consumption. Industrial Investment: A Chinese industrial group has moved a reported $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco. Energy and Trade: Slovakia plans to revive its economic cooperation forum with Russia, with energy and trade talks expected in November after a four-year freeze.

Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has begun supplying electricity to Slovakia’s grid. The 471-MW unit is expected to provide about 13% of the country’s current electricity demand. Energy Costs: EU leaders stopped short of delaying ETS2 but ordered a fresh impact review and urged short-term action on energy prices. Slovakia, which pushed for a delay, will host EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen on Monday for talks on affordability and supply security. Investment: A Chinese industrial group has moved a planned $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco. Trade Links: Slovakia is preparing for an Australian business delegation after talks on trade and potential defence-industry cooperation.

Nuclear Power: Mochovce 4 has begun supplying electricity to Slovakia’s grid. Its 471-MWe capacity is equivalent to about 13% of current national consumption. Energy Costs: Slovakia is among the countries seeking to delay the EU’s ETS2 carbon charges until 2030. Leaders agreed to review the scheme, but did not postpone its planned 2028 start; EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is due in Bratislava on Monday for talks on prices and supply security. Transport: Ryanair plans to grow its Bratislava services as it cuts flights from Vienna, a shift that could benefit the Slovak capital’s airport. Business Links: Australia’s defence minister and a business delegation are expected to visit Slovakia to explore trade and defence-industry cooperation. Investment: A Chinese industrial group has transferred a reported $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco. Trade with Russia: Slovakia and Russia plan to resume their economic and scientific cooperation commission on October 26, with energy and trade on the agenda.

Carbon Costs: Slovakia joined the Visegrád bloc in seeking to delay the EU’s planned carbon pricing for road transport and heating until 2030. EU leaders instead agreed to review the scheme, without setting a new start date. Business Climate: A Chinese industrial group is moving a planned $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for investment prospects. Inflation: Slovakia’s September inflation rate was 3.1%, and it was the only EU country where inflation fell month on month. Infrastructure: A Vienna arbitration court ordered the former Višňové tunnel contractor to pay Slovakia about €35 million; the state must pay the consortium roughly €840,000. Trade and Energy: Slovakia and Russia plan to revive their economic and scientific cooperation commission on October 26, with trade and energy among the topics.

Energy Costs: EU leaders left Brussels divided over carbon pricing, with Slovakia and other Visegrád states seeking to delay ETS2 until at least 2030. The Commission was asked to consider short-term measures to ease high energy prices, leaving costs uncertain for industry. Investment: A Chinese industrial group is moving its $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for the country’s manufacturing prospects. Russia Trade: Slovakia plans to revive its economic cooperation commission with Russia on November 25, with energy supplies and nuclear fuel expected on the agenda. Infrastructure: A Vienna arbitration court ordered the former Višňové tunnel contractor to pay Slovakia about €35 million. Critical Materials: The EU named 46 strategic raw-material projects across Europe, including projects in Slovakia, to strengthen supply chains.

Energy and Industry: Slovakia plans to revive its economic commission with Russia on 25 November, with energy supplies and nuclear fuel among the topics. Bratislava also plans talks with Ukraine on 5 November, focused partly on expanding border crossings. Energy Partnerships: Slovakia and Bulgaria are discussing cooperation on nuclear capacity, gas supplies and LNG routes, while Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár is seeking nuclear research links with Australia. Investment: A Chinese industrial group has shifted a reported $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for the country’s manufacturing ambitions. Innovation: Eastern Slovak company MATSUKO and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University won an EU REGIOSTARS award for AI-based 3D technology now used in industrial training and collaboration. Freight: Alstom delivered 18 locomotives for CLIP’s freight network. Public Finances: Parliament approved a 2027 budget with a deficit forecast at 4.94% of GDP.

Energy Cooperation: Slovakia and Bulgaria are discussing a memorandum covering nuclear power, gas supplies and renewables, including LNG access, storage and cross-border routes. Slovakia is also seeking nuclear research partnerships with Australia, spanning nuclear medicine, advanced materials and specialist training. Public Finances: Parliament approved the 2027 budget, which projects a deficit of 4.94% of GDP, above this year’s expected 4.37%. Industrial Investment: A Chinese industrial group has moved a planned $117 million project from Slovakia to Morocco, a setback for the country’s manufacturing ambitions. Circular Economy: Slovakia was among four EU countries to meet an alternative target for collecting electronic waste in 2024, though most member states missed the bloc’s main target. Transport: Bratislava Airport is a finalist in the under-five-million-passenger category at the Routes World 2026 awards.

Public Finances: Parliament approved Slovakia’s 2027 budget, projecting a general-government deficit of 4.94% of GDP, up from this year’s expected 4.37%; further savings will be needed to bring deficits down in 2028 and 2029. Nuclear Research: Slovakia wants to build research and business links with Australia in nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals and advanced materials, drawing on its civilian nuclear expertise. Energy Cooperation: Slovakia and Bulgaria discussed a possible pact covering nuclear power, gas supplies and renewables, including LNG access, storage and cross-border routes. Investment Climate: A Chinese group is moving a planned $117 million forging project from Slovakia to Morocco, citing administrative delays and clearer investment procedures there. Freight Links: Alstom delivered 18 locomotives to Polish operator CLIP Intermodal; five are approved to operate in Slovakia, strengthening cross-border freight capacity.

Investment: China’s Hangyu Technology is moving its planned $117 million forged-components project from Slovakia to Morocco, citing administrative delays and clearer investment procedures there. Trade Links: Slovakia is pitching Thailand as a gateway to Southeast Asia, with talks exploring cooperation in energy, nuclear power, water management, IT and cybersecurity. Energy: Prime Minister Robert Fico says reliable, affordable electricity is vital to competitiveness and stability, and argues Europe must turn support for nuclear power into new capacity, jobs and supply chains. Retail Competition: The European Commission is investigating XXXLutz’s proposed takeover of Porta, warning the deal could reduce furniture retail competition in Slovakia, Czechia and Germany and increase pressure on suppliers. Freight Rail: Alstom has delivered 18 locomotives to Poland’s CLIP Intermodal; five are approved to operate in Slovakia, alongside Poland, Germany, Austria, Czechia and Hungary.

Winter Energy Support: Slovakia will prepare a new aid package for Ukraine focused on humanitarian needs, mine-clearing equipment and energy infrastructure as Russian attacks target power facilities ahead of winter. Trade and Defence: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár pitched Slovakia as Thailand’s gateway to the EU, with talks covering trade, investment and defence industry cooperation; a Slovak-Thai business forum brought together more than 20 Slovak companies. Industrial Recycling: Slovak firm BK Investment has agreed to develop a project in Algeria to process and recover waste from the iron and steel industry, supporting material reuse. Furniture Market: The European Commission has opened an in-depth probe into XXXLutz’s proposed takeover of Porta, citing possible competition concerns in Slovakia and two other countries. Energy Costs: Robert Fico is resisting plans to phase out Russian oil and gas, while Russian officials say EU countries bought $21.3 billion in Russian hydrocarbons in the first nine months of 2026; Slovakia remains among the countries importing Russian pipeline oil.

Furniture Retail: The European Commission has opened an in-depth probe into XXXLutz’s proposed takeover of Porta, citing possible harm to competition in Slovakia, Czechia and Germany. The retailers overlap in local markets, and the deal would combine their purchasing operations. Industrial Recycling: Algeria’s recovery agency and Slovak firm BK Investment signed an agreement to develop a project processing iron and steel waste, aiming to recover materials and support a circular economy. Trade and Investment: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár’s visit to Thailand includes a business forum and talks on trade, investment, technology and defence-industry cooperation, as Slovakia seeks to expand exports into Southeast Asia. Raw Materials: The EU selected 46 strategic projects across 16 member states, including Slovakia, to strengthen extraction, processing and recycling and reduce reliance on single suppliers. Energy and Industry: EU environment ministers debated revisions to the emissions trading system, weighing climate targets against industrial competitiveness and the risk of carbon leakage. Slovakia’s EU affairs state secretary also discussed potential joint energy projects and cross-border cooperation with Ukraine.