Kosice, January 27, 2005 - According to news reports published yesterday by press agencies, the Government of the Slovak Republic is considering the issue of quotas for CO2 emissions within Slovakia. Based on a published statement by Deputy Prime Minister Csaky, the Slovak Government apparently is now taking this critical situation seriously. The question of sufficient CO2 quotas for Slovak industry has great consequences for Slovak employers and employees. U. S. Steel Kosice has previously objected to reduced CO2 quotas for Slovakia, pointing out that Slovakia would be well within the applicable Kyoto limits without any reduction.

U. S. Steel Kosice agrees with Deputy Prime Minister Csaky´s comment that the Slovak Government should give serious effort to a correction in this subject area. The key question for the Government now is exactly how to find a solution. U. S. Steel Kosice continues to urge the Slovak Government to return to the EC immediately and demand Slovakia's original CO2 quotas.

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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: jbacask.uss.com