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Fico: Bulgaria and Hungary Didn't Keep Promises Concerning ACER Seat
Wednesday 09 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 9 (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday that the Agency for Co-operation of Energy Regulators (ACER) played a dignified role in the choice of its future headquarters, which was Ljubljana, Slovenia rather than Bratislava.
Fico thinks Slovakia's candidacy was negatively influenced by the stances of two countries - Hungary and Bulgaria - who promised their support in the final vote. Fico said that Hungary's support was officially expressed at a Visegrad Four (V4) meeting, while Bulgaria promised its backing during other negotiations.
"This can't function on anything else but gentlemen's agreements. If I offer a handshake, then it's settled. If I get a handshake from the Hungarians and Bulgarians (meaning) that we'll get their support, and then they don't support us, then there's a question as to the reason for this decision," pondered Fico.
According to the premier, Slovakia respects the decision of the Board of Energy Ministers from December 6. "It happened and we respect it. We congratulate Slovenia and we believe that this institution will work also for Slovakia's benefit," said Fico.
Slovenia's candidacy was supported by 15 votes at the final election in Brussels, while Slovakia was only supported by 11. Sweden as the presiding country of the Union didn't vote.
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