PM: Slovakia to Support Summit Conclusions, Won't Vote for 18th Sanction Package

Bratislava, 26 June (TASR) - Slovakia will support conclusions of the European Council summit starting in Brussels on Thursday. Contrary to Hungary, Slovakia doesn't have problems with the part concerning Ukraine. However, it will draw partners' attention to the problem with the planned complete halt to Russian gas imports to the EU and it won't vote for the planned 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions until this problem is resolved, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) informed a meeting of the parliamentary European affairs committee shortly before his departure to Brussels. "The European Union won't be united once again, as Hungary has announced that it wont' support the part of the wording that concerns Ukraine. Therefore, this part of the text will only be approved in the EU 26 format. As for the second part of the document, I assume that there will be agreement and that the 27 member states will adopt it," said Fico. Fico expects the issue of EU competitiveness to stir the biggest discussion at the summit. Part of the conclusions should follow up on the European Commission's (EC) initiative to adopt a new legislative act that, among other things, will ban the import of any Russian gas to EU member states as of January 1, 2028. The premier reiterated that this is a major problem that would significantly harm Slovakia. He should therefore also hold talks with EC President Ursula von der Leyen before the summit. At this meeting, he wants to appreciate that the summit conclusions should include a paragraph that will take Slovakia's concerns into account. However, this text is only a framework one and doesn't yet say anything about what can be done for Slovakia in this situation. ko/mcs