Slovaks and Czechs Object to Ban on Internal Combustion Engines at EU summit

Brussels, 23 October (TASR-correspondent) - Slovakia and the Czech Republic used the October summit of the European Council in Brussels to object to the ban on internal combustion engines, the Politico weekly reported, adding that for this reason, Slovakia almost scuppered the EU's 19th package of sanctions against Russia. According to the weekly, Slovakia almost thwarted the 19th set of EU sanctions against Russia over concerns about maintaining competitiveness in the automotive industry. Politico, citing an unnamed EU diplomat, said Slovakia was using the climate discussions at the Brussels summit to reopen the issue, and pointed out that the Slovak government says a ban on internal combustion engines by 2035 is not a realistic target for European carmakers. The Czech Republic also joined the discussions alongside the Slovak delegation, saying that Prague was eagerly awaiting the European Commission's proposal. The Commission has promised to present this proposal by the end of the year and it should include a reform of the regulation governing the sale of zero-emission vehicles as of 2035. am