Slovakia is asking the European Union for a three-year exemption from the embargo on Russian oil imports, Economy Minister Richard Sulik stated following the Government meeting on Wednesday. He also refused to link Slovakia's position with that of the Hungarian government, which rejects the embargo and demands a permanent exemption. According to Sulik, Slovakia will join the sanctions against Russia, however, the country is in a specific position together with Hungary and the Czech Republic and does not have the opportunity to change oil suppliers immediately. Slovakia needs a transitional period to adapt to the new situation. According to the minister, the problem is the insufficient capacity of the Adria pipeline, while a change in technology at the Slovnaft oil-refiner related to the supply of a different type of oil will also require some time and money. Moreover, Sulik also thinks that the fact that half of Slovakia's oil storage facilities are located in eastern Slovakia is a serious problem. At the same time, the pipeline is not technically ready for reverse operation, which could be used to fill these storage tanks during deliveries from the Adria pipeline.
Source: TASR
