Vehicle emissions strategy

Environmental questions are facing the construction of the Martin-Presov highway in Slovakia. The 1054 European Investment Bank (EIB) and 1166 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are waiting to receive approval to fund construction of the highway in Slovakia from the 2465 European Commission (EC). However the EC is not giving its approval for the loans at present until the Slovak Government provides answers as to why the route goes through a national park. Although the Slovakian Transport Ministry is keen to sign the contracts for the project, the EC is holding back until the answers are provided. The Slovakian Transport Ministry has said that it may opt to change the route of the controversial section of the Martin- Presov highway to meet requests from the European Commission. Environmental groups have suggested building tunnels but the Transport Ministry says that this would be too expensive. The latest developments mean that the highway may not be completed by 2013 as planned.