Premier: Proposal to Completely Halt Energy Imports from Russia Unacceptable

Bratislava, May 7 (TASR) - Slovakia recognises the strategic goal of reducing the European Union's (EU) energy dependence on third countries, but the proposal to completely halt gas, oil and nuclear fuel imports from Russia, presented by the European Commission (EC) on Tuesday (May 6), is unacceptable for Slovakia in its current form, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Wednesday, adding that such a step would significantly damage the competitiveness of both the EU and Slovakia. "A huge amount of data is available to me suggesting that we are entering into an extremely dangerous game. We do recognise the strategic goal of reducing energy dependence on third countries, and Slovakia is ready to work on this jointly with the European Union. However, I reject committing suicide, this is simply economic suicide to go to the point at which gas, nuclear fuel, oil, everything has to end just because a kind of new Iron Curtain is being built between the Western world and the Russian Federation and some other countries," stated the premier. According to Fico, Slovakia is ready very actively to enter negotiations on draft legislation to be drawn up based on the Commission's roadmap. It will demand that the specific features and experiences of individual EU-member states should be taken into account. "From today on, we'll very forcefully remind the EC of all the risks associated with this document, which I view as a political adventure at this point. It is a document that is irresponsible from the economic viewpoint," stressed Fico, adding that if these proposals are implemented, they will do much more damage to the EU, energy prices will go up and its competitiveness will decrease. At the moment it's not clear how the relevant legislation will be adopted, i.e. whether unanimity will be required or whether it will be approved by a mere qualified majority, said the premier. "The latter would mean that the large countries would agree and do anything they want. I consider this procedure to be extremely unfortunate and would prefer it be agreed through unanimity so that such a document would be relevant," added Fico. ko/df