SaS: Fico Pushing Slovakia Back into Energy Dependence on Russia

Bratislava, May 7 (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party said on Wednesday that it strongly rejects Prime Minister Robert Fico’s (Smer-SD) efforts to return Slovakia to energy dependence on Russia. According to SaS, such steps are in direct contradiction with the goals of the European Union and Slovakia's interests. It is unacceptable, said MP Karol Galek (SaS), for the prime minister to defend Russian supplies as reliable and advantageous. "The fact is that Russian gas is not cheap. Its availability is limited, and its transport is complicated. The most expensive gas is always that which we don't have in a critical moment. Moreover, Russia's Gazprom isn't fulfilling its obligations, and there is no reason why it should be an exception for us," said Galek. Galek underlined that the prime minister is misleading the public, as Slovak energy companies have already declared their ability to operate without Russian gas. "Instead of presenting facts, Robert Fico is spreading alarmist fear-mongering claims about non-existent problems. Slovakia's energy security must not be based on political games with the Kremlin. Supplies from the East should be the last resort, not the first choice, especially when we have more reliable partners from democratic countries," added SaS MP Marian Viskupic. SaS made these statements in response to comments made by the prime minister earlier on Wednesday. According to Fico, Slovakia recognises the strategic goal of reducing the European Union’s energy dependence on third countries, but the proposal presented on Tuesday (May 6) by the European Commission to completely end imports of gas, oil, and nuclear fuel from Russia is unacceptable for Slovakia in its current form. Such a move, Fico stated, would significantly harm the competitiveness of both the EU and Slovakia. mf/df