February 25, 2004, Kosice - We can confirm that U. S. Steel Kosice representatives, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Miklos and Foreign Affairs Ministry representatives, met in Brussels with European Commission representatives on Friday, February 20. Mr. Csaky was not present during those discussions.

Although the discussions were productive, an issue critical to the interests of both Slovakia and U. S. Steel Kosice currently remains unresolved.

All present at the meeting committed that the status of these negotiations would not be discussed in the media. We are hopeful that Mr. Csaky's breach of this commitment will not jeopardize the resolution of this matter.

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Further information:

Jan Baca
Director Public Affairs
U. S. Steel Kosice, s.r.o.
Tel.: +421 55 673 4476
Fax: +421 55 673 0330
E-mail: jbacausske.sk