Slovakia Faces Opposition Over Plans to Transfer Irrigation Control to UAE Investor

Slovak opposition parties allege that the government is preparing a non‑transparent deal to hand control of the country's agricultural irrigation water infrastructure to an investor from the United Arab Emirates. The criticism followed a working visit to Slovakia by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Tamara Stohlová, MP for Progressive Slovakia and vice‑chair of the parliamentary agriculture committee, warned that farmers could be forced to pay for water while the Arab sheikh seeks substantial profits. She also singled out Prime Minister Robert Fico and Agriculture Minister Richard Takác for not disclosing details of the proposed public‑private partnership. The Christian Democratic Movement echoed calls for full transparency, stressing the strategic importance of irrigation systems amid increasing drought risk.

Opposition demands that the state retain control over the strategic water infrastructure and publish the terms of any agreement.