Eco Ministry: Oil Supplies Via Druzhba Not Yet Resumed, Alternatives on Table

Bratislava, 17 February (TASR) – Oil supplies to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline haven't yet been resumed, although state-owned company Transpetrol, operating under the Economy Ministry, has repeatedly received an updated schedule for their restoration from its Ukrainian partner, the ministry's press department reported on Tuesday. The situation regarding oil deliveries to the region is therefore the subject of ongoing negotiations. The Economy Ministry is closely monitoring developments and remains in contact with Transpetrol and Slovnaft, along with other relevant entities within the state's energy and crisis management framework. "Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto have also signed a joint letter addressed to the Croatian side, calling for Russian oil to be transported via the Adria pipeline as one of the possible alternative routes," the ministry added. It recalled that a special emergency meeting of the oil security commission, convened by the Slovak State Material Reserves Administration, was held on Monday (16 February). The aim is to adopt preventive measures and to ensure that the state will be prepared to maintain smooth and stable supplies of petroleum products to the Slovak market in the event of a prolonged disruption of deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. Slovakia has adequate strategic reserves of oil and petroleum products to last approximately 90 days, as determined by the State Material Reserves Administration, the ministry underlined. "These reserves, in line with applicable legislation, guarantee the country's energy stability in the event of temporary supply disruptions. The Economy Ministry is ready, if necessary, to support their release in order to ensure continuous and stable supplies for Slovak consumers," said the ministry. The ministry also assured the public that domestic market supplies are currently not under threat. mf/df