Slovakia is fully prepared to tackle the situation it would face in the case that supplies of crude oil and gas are restricted or shut off, Slovak Economy Minister Tomáš Malatinský stated on Friday. He spoke to journalists after a meeting with representatives of all relevant operators of crude oil and gas infrastructure.
According to Malatinský, Eustream is ready to bear the cost of the investment of €20 million that will be needed to make the reverse flow technically possible.
While the words of the Economy minister might sound optimistic, Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed concern also about a possible negative outcome of the whole situation. “I feel this threat is very real ... this is not fiction. We've seen our gas supplies cut before, in 2009. Unless intensive talks take place, then this threat is very high,” said the Prime Minister. He added that Ukraine isn’t about to pay Russia for gas. “It's like they're playing a game ... we'll join the side that gives us more. I'm happy they signed the association agreement with the EU, but if they want financial assistance, then they need to do their homework,” he said. Representatives of Slovakia, Ukraine and the EU will discuss gas shipments in Veľké Kapušany on Tuesday.
