BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 24 (UPI) -- The Slovak government will press ahead with the completion of its second nuclear power plant regardless of Austrian objections, the government said Monday.
Slovakia's Mochovce nuclear power station needs another $1 billion in investment before it can come on line at full capacity, industry analysts say. Austria, which has long objected to the construction of nuclear power plants in nearby former communist countries, wants Slovakia to decommission the power plant.
Economy Minister Pavol Rusko said Monday Slovakia would not yield to Austria's demands. He added that bidders looking to take a majority stake in Slovakia's main electricity company Slovenske Elektrarne, which runs the nuclear power plant, would be looked upon favorably if they pledge funds to complete the Mochovce plant.
Austria shares borders with Slovakia and the Czech Republic, both of which have nuclear power programs which began in the Soviet era.
