The Slovak-Austrian crude oil pipeline from Bratislava to Schwechat via Rye Island (Zitny Ostrov) will not be constructed. The Deputy Economy Minister Karol Galek confirmed the information on Tuesday. "We have already taken the first steps to protect Rye Island. . . A crude oil pipeline will simply not cross it," Galek emphasized. However, the Slovak-Austrian crude oil pipeline project could still be realized if another route for it is found. The largest river island in Europe is the largest underground drinking water reservoir in Central Europe. Although the company Bratislava-Schwechat Pipeline (BSP) still believes that the crude oil interconnector project is realistic, Slovakia's new government will have the final say.
Martina Šimkovičová, Photo: TASR
