The European Union has threatened Slovakia with sanctions if it turns on its nuclear energy power station reactor at "Jaslovske Bohunice". Slovakia is looking to cover the gas shortages in the country caused by the crisis between Russia and the Ukraine.

The spokesman for the European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Ferran Tarradellas made this announcement Monday but failed to mention exactly what sanctions would be placed on Bratislava.

"Today, we officially received news from Slovakia announcing that they were preparing to re-start the reactors. Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is preparing to meet with the Slovakian Minister of Energy, who will explain the reasons for his actions", said Tarradellas.

He added Slovakia's planned step was "a clear move against the rules of the European Union"

The stopping of the reactor was one of the conditions placed on Slovakia when it joined the European Union. The power plant that was opened in 1970 did not meet the official EU regulations according to technical experts. The first block was shut down towards the end of 2006, while the second was closed as recently as December 31, 2008.

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