US, Slovakia sign civil nuclear power agreement

Slovakia has been negotiating with the US on nuclear cooperation since last year

FILE PHOTO: US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright attends a Reuters Next event in Manhattan, New York City, US, Sept 25, 2025.REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

The United States signed an agreement with Slovakia on Friday to advance cooperation on the central European country's nuclear energy program, a plan they said would help reduce its reliance on Russian-designed reactors.

The agreement includes the development of a state-owned 1,200-MWnuclear unit of US design at the Jaslovske Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant that would be bigger than existing units.

Slovakia, which currently has five nuclear power reactors at two plants, has been in talks with Washington since last year to build a large plant with nuclear developer Westinghouse.

"Today’s civil nuclear agreement reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European energy security and sovereignty for decades to come," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright at an event at the agency's headquarters in Washington.

Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico said the agreement was a "clear signal that Slovakia and the United States are united by a common strategic thinking about the future of energy – about its safety, sustainability, and technological maturity.”

Westinghouse is owned by Canada-based Cameco and Brookfield Asset Management.