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Warden Information and Embassy Messages

Energy Supplies in Slovakia

January 14, 2009

Dear Wardens and other Americans,

The U.S. Embassy would like to clarify, for American citizens living in or traveling to Slovakia, the energy situation resulting from the interruption of natural gas supplies from Russia.  Due to commercial disputes between Russia and Ukraine, the supply of natural gas to Slovakia (and other countries) was suspended on January 7 and continues to the present time.  The Ukrainian and Russian governments, together with the European Union, are still negotiating a resolution.  In the meantime, gas deliveries to Slovakia and other countries dependent on Russian gas have been stopped.  Slovakia has a reserve supply for such contingencies, and the government has avoided disruptions for domestic gas consumers (such as for home heating, government buildings, schools, and hospitals).  Deliveries for large industrial gas users have been limited, and a number of factories have shut down as a result.

The Slovak government has also warned of possible electric power shortages if the cutoff continues.  If at any time you need to use alternative ways of heating your residence, such as electric radiators or space heaters, we urge you to pay careful attention to applicable safety regulations and product instructions.

The Slovak and international press are covering the energy issue closely and will be your best source for updated information.  The Embassy believes this crisis will be resolved before major disruptions to domestic consumers, but should events warrant, the Embassy will provide updates via email and on the Embassy’s web page:  http://bratislava.usembassy.gov.

We encourage Americans to register with the Embassy through the U.S. State Department’s travel website, http://travel.state.gov or directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava.  American citizens who need to contact the Embassy may do so during working hours by calling the American Citizens Services unit at (02) 5443 0861 or by e-mail at: consulbratislava@state.gov. The Embassy’s duty officer may be reached in emergencies via this same number.

American Embassy
Bratislava, Slovakia