Reducing the dependence of the EU, including Slovakia, on imports of Russian gas and oil is a strategically correct move and it enjoys the full support of the Government, Prime Minister Eduard Heger's spokeswoman Lubica Janikova told TASR on Tuesday in reaction to the Slovak Chamber of Trade and Industry (SOPK) and Klub 500, which earlier in the day warned the Government against stopping the import of Russian energy, arguing that it would lead to devastating consequences for both the EU and Slovakia.
Janikova stated that Russia has used these raw materials as an "energy weapon" in pursuit of its geopolitical interests, which are not identical to those of the EU. According to her, increasing the EU's energy security has now become an absolute priority after the unmasking of Russia's policy. This is especially true for countries that are as heavily dependent on imports of Russian energy carriers as Slovakia is, she remarked. Janikova also claimed that the Economy Ministry, in cooperation with relevant sectors, will draw up a detailed proposal that will be presented to the Government.
"The aim is to protect households and industry as much as possible and at the same time to create a state in which no supplier of raw materials and energy to the EU, and this applies especially to imperialist Russia, will have the power to undermine the sovereignty and democratic values of the EU," she stressed.
Source: TASR
