Italy will support Slovakia's initiative to resume gas imports from the east
From 14 to 16 January 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Slovak Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova participated in a working visit to Rome, Italy, together with a Slovak delegation led by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. During the visit, she attended a number of bilateral negotiations on strengthening Slovak-Italian relations and prospects for trade cooperation, including the joint Slovak-Italian position on resuming gas imports via Ukraine. Other topics covered in the negotiations included automation, innovative technologies, renewable energy sources (RES), energy efficiency, the circular economy and digitalisation. D. Sakova also opened the conference 'Why Slovakia? Fit for Investing and Trade', at which Slovakia presented investment opportunities and emphasised its potential for nuclear energy sector cooperation. A key part of the conference involved the signing of memoranda of cooperation between Slovak companies JAVYS and VÚJE, and their Italian partner newcleo. These agreements open up new opportunities in the nuclear energy sector and with regard to fourth-generation reactors.
"Italy will support Slovakia in its efforts to restore gas transit from East to West through Ukraine. This is also the result of our negotiations with the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Italy, like Slovakia, is pushing for solutions based on facts, not feelings. If gas flows to Europe through pipelines via the southern route and is also imported in large quantities through LNG terminals, we see no reasonable reason why it should not also be imported through pipelines via Ukraine and Slovakia to the countries of Central Europe," said Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova.
Slovak Minister of Economy Denisa Saková is on a working visit to Rome, where she will participate in several events and meetings aimed at deepening bilateral relations and promoting investment, trade and innovation between Slovakia and Italy. One of the main items on the agenda was a meeting with the Italian Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso. The discussion focused on cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy, investment opportunities and deepening mutual trade cooperation. On competitiveness, the ministers agreed on the following conclusions: Draghi's report puts more emphasis on the balance between the green transition and competitiveness, so that the green transition and decarbonisation do not lead to a threat to European competitiveness, deindustrialisation or a lowering of social standards in countries.
Groundbreaking cooperation on nuclear energy
Nuclear energy received considerable attention during the visit. During the conference "Why Slovakia? Fit for Investing and Trade", two framework agreements were signed between the Slovak JAVYS, VÚJE and partner newcleo. These agreements pave the way for cooperation in the field of spent fuel reprocessing and the development of fourth generation reactors. Minister D. Saková praised the ongoing cooperation between Slovak and Italian companies: "Slovakia has extensive experience in all phases of the nuclear fuel cycle. I am convinced that these strategic partnerships will contribute to strengthening energy security, price stability and achieving climate goals," said Sakova.
The automotive industry and the single market
Slovakia and Italy have long enjoyed strong ties within the automotive industry. 'The transformation of the automotive industry should include all available sustainable technologies, including low-carbon fuels. We also need to remove barriers in the single market and ensure fair competition," stressed Saková.
In 2025, Slovakia is planning to participate in the "Tutto Food" fair in Milan, Italy. This will provide an opportunity for Slovak small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their innovations and access the Italian market. 'I am convinced that this visit will open up new opportunities for partnerships and investment. Slovakia is ready to be a reliable partner for Italian companies and support projects that promote long-term growth and innovation," concluded Denisa Saková.
The Press Department of MoE SR