Slovakia is not currently ready to give up supplies of Russian energy commodities, but is doing everything possible to become less dependent on Russian gas. Prime Minister Eduard Heger told the BBC's HARDtalk programme. Speaking about the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said that the risk of a direct threat to Slovakia is not increasing despite the war; on the contrary, it is actually decreasing thanks to the bravery of the Ukrainian people. In his opinion, the Ukrainians are also fighting for Slovak values, and if they do not succeed, Slovakia will be one of Russia's next targets.
The Slovak prime minister went on to say that the government is doing everything possible to ensure that Slovakia is disconnected from Russian gas and oil as soon as possible, adding that Bratislava is cooperating with Warsaw on the issue. He noted that the Slovak-Polish gas pipeline is technically almost complete. According to Heger, Slovakia will need an alternative to Russian gas, which is likely to be liquefied natural gas. He added that Slovakia urges unity among European countries on the issue of payments for Russian energy commodities in euros. Eduard Heger for BBC's HARDtalk stated that Slovakia will continue paying for gas in euros.
After Monday's extraordinary EU Energy Council in Brussels, Economy Minister Richard Sulík pointed out that EU leaders had agreed that the best way forward for the EU was to act together, but to take into account the interests of individual countries, as each member state was in a specific situation. He also stressed that Slovakia would do everything possible to ensure that Russia did not cut it off from gas. “We paid the invoice for March in advance, it went early in euros. Next payment, for April, is not due until May 20. We have 18 more days to find out what the situation will be and adjust to the new facts. Slovakia is not a country that should be causing any problems." noted Sulík.
Source: TASR
