Fico: We Must Develop System for Quality Energy Supplies at Reasonable Prices

Uzhhorod/Bratislava, 5 September (TASR) – Slovakia will make decisions in the sphere of energy that are in line with its sovereign national policy, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) declared on Friday during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting in Ukraine. According to Fico, cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine plays a significant role in this context. The goal, he stated, is to develop a system that ensures each country receives secure and high-quality energy supplies at reasonable prices. At the same time, individual countries should avoid adopting measures that harm others. Fico conveyed to Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Slovakia have the right to protect their national interests, but not at the expense of harming the interests of another country. „We will act with great sovereignty as the Slovak Republic, and, together with our Ukrainian partners, will seek solutions that are beneficial for the sovereign Slovak policy. But we do not want to be part of any games when it comes to energy — such as being told what we can or cannot do for political reasons. We will not play these games," Fico emphasised. The Slovak Prime Minister expressed confidence that ministers from both sides will cooperate intensively in addressing what he described as "enormous" energy challenges. President Zelenskyy stated at the press conference that Ukraine is ready to engage in joint projects with Slovakia, including oil and gas deliveries to Slovakia. However, he made it clear that this cannot include Russian oil or gas, as Ukraine is at war with Russia. „We are ready to ensure energy stability for Slovakia and other partners, and we want to pursue joint projects," Zelenskyy said. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not truly interested in ending the war. If he were, Zelenskyy argued, he would not be demanding that Ukraine’s neighbours impose an energy blockade. In response, the Slovak Prime Minister denied that any energy blockade of Ukraine was discussed during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. „Our discussions focused primarily on issues of bilateral cooperation between Slovakia and the Russian Federation. We have proposed a meeting of the joint commission, which normally convenes to address such issues," Fico stated. mf