On Wednesday Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák announced that he has received a clear mandate from the Government for talks with Kiev on the reverse gas flow via the Slovak territory to Ukraine.
He didn’t want to reveal any details to journalists after the Government session, adding that he will present the official stance of Slovakia to the Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan later this week. Lajčák reiterated that Slovakia has several objections to Prodan's recent statements. For example, the Ukrainian minister accused Slovakia that it is blocking the launch of reverse gas flow to Ukraine. “We're ready to talk and provide our capacities, but this must have certain rules. The agreement can’t run contrary to our international commitments, but I’m convinced that we’ll reach an agreement,” stated Lajčák.
US Vice-president Joe Biden discussed the issue with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico via telephone onTuesday. Allegedly, Prime Minister Fico told Biden that Slovakia will be ready to carry out all the necessary moves to ensuring the reverse gas flow if Ukraine fulfils its financial commitments and observes the contracts on ensuring supplies of Russian gas to Slovakia. Foreign Minister Lajčák is scheduled to attend a security forum in Kiev on Thursday and Friday as one of the speakers. This should be a good opportunity for bilateral talks with the interim President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ukraine.
