Slovak News Back to the news
Economy Ministry: Government Won't Build Pipeline Through Zitny Ostrov
Friday 20 August 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, August 20 (TASR) - The Government won't allow the Bratislava-Schwechat oil pipeline to be built through Zitny Ostrov, an area containing Slovakia's largest reserves of drinking-water, Economy and Construction Ministry spokesman Darius Bosjak told TASR on Friday.
Bosjak was reacting to Agriculture, Environment and Regional Development Minister Zsolt Simon's (Most-Hid) statement earlier in the day that the responsibility for taking a decision on the pipeline will now rest on the shoulders of Economy Minister Juraj Miskov (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS).
"We note that in line with the Government Manifesto, the Government when constructing energy infrastructure will consistently pay attention to protecting the environment and drinking-water, and to meeting strict safety regulations and environmental aspects," said Bosjak.
According to Bosjak, the route of the pipeline will be in line with the Government Manifesto. "The specific solution for the (pipeline) connection must be the result of a consensus between the two sides, Slovak and Austrian," said Bosjak.
Meanwhile, state-run oil transport company Transpetrol on Friday declared that it is seeking alternative routes for the pipeline in Slovakia.
"Any considerations and all work on the original route through Zitny Ostrov were halted even before the state repurchased the shares of joint-stock company Transpetrol," said the Transpetrol press department.
Civil association 'No to the Pipeline Through Zitny Ostrov on Friday said that the Economy and Transport Ministry has published the names of representatives of Slovakia and Transpetrol working for a company called 'Bratislava Schwechat Pipeline' (BSP), which is building the pipeline on the Austrian side. Association chairman Miroslav Dragun claimed that this proves that it is Transpetrol which is running the entire project, even on the Austrian side.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
