Slovakia and Russia have agreed on the need to ensure stable Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, following talks in Moscow on Monday. The agreement was reached at a meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic and scientific cooperation, which covered energy, nuclear power, agriculture, environmental protection, tourism, sport and culture.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (SMER-SD) said the talks aimed to maintain pragmatic dialogue in areas not covered by sanctions. He also confirmed Slovakia’s intention to honour existing oil and gas contracts. Blanár said the gas contract runs until 2034 under a “take-or-pay” arrangement. He also argued that Russia remained difficult to replace as an energy supplier, pointing to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz as an example of the importance of stable energy supplies. He added that Slovakia respected its EU and NATO commitments while seeking opportunities for cooperation within those rules.
Both sides signed a protocol outlining areas for further cooperation. The commission’s next meeting is expected to take place in Slovakia in 2027. The visit has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which question the government’s approach to Moscow. More on the talks and the political controversy surrounding the visit in today’s topical issue.
Source: TASR
