Slovakia’s state of oil emergency could be lifted next Wednesday, April 8, if the Slovnaft refinery returns borrowed state crude oil to national reserves, Prime Minister Robert Fico said at a briefing with Economy Minister Denisa Saková in Bratislava. Slovnaft borrowed 250,000 tons of crude oil from state reserves, using about 105,000 tons, which it is gradually returning. “As soon as our state reserves are full again, to meet the EU requirement of being prepared for 90 days, we are ready in government to lift the state of oil emergency,” Fico said. However, he clarified that the government regulation on double fuel pricing and diesel purchase limits would remain in effect until its 30-day term expires. The government is also responding to requests from neighboring countries, such as the Czech Republic, which asked Slovakia to lift the emergency. Fico warned that fuel prices may continue to rise domestically.
Economy Minister Saková highlighted an informal EU energy ministers’ video conference on March 31, where the European Commission noted that the last tanker from the Hormuz Strait to Europe has arrived and acknowledged that the situation is serious and likely to persist in the medium term. Slovnaft CEO Gabriel Szabó confirmed that of the 105,000 tons borrowed, 65,000 tons have been returned and the remaining 40,000 tons are expected to be returned early next week. If deliveries arrive on time, the refinery is expected to operate at full capacity by the second half of April. Fico stressed that EU-wide coordination is necessary for oil policy, noting that differences in consumption taxes, VAT, and dual fuel pricing among member states need alignment. He suggested that a V4+ meeting of prime ministers and leaders from Austria and Germany could help harmonize measures.
Source: TASR
