EGN NEWS DESK
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated his authorities is engaged in “very intense” negotiations over natural-gas provides for subsequent 12 months, together with on the transit of the gas by way of Ukrainian territory.
“We are holding very intense talks at a world stage on gasoline provides in 2025,” Fico informed a press convention on Friday. “There are many hurdles, akin to political statements by the Ukrainian aspect, the stress for suspension of provides from the East to the West, proposals on gasoline deliveries which are far more costly,” he stated.
Fico stated Slovakia will rebuff stress to solely settle for gasoline provides from the West. “We see no causes to pay for gasoline greater than required because of geopolitical causes,” the prime minister stated.
“I’m assured {that a} answer will be discovered for [gas supplies] to a number of EU nations with gasoline transit by way of the territory of Slovakia and Ukraine maintained,” Fico stated.
“In the approaching days, together with in the course of the Christmas holidays, it’s possible you’ll witness exceptionally intense negotiations at varied ranges and in numerous nations, beginning as early as subsequent week,” Fico stated.
The EU’s new power chief, in the meantime, expects the gas-transit deal to run out and says his “important precedence” is to develop a plan that may lastly sever all EU power hyperlinks with Russia. Dan Jørgensen, who began within the position at the start of December, warned that the EU is faltering in its marketing campaign to shun Russian gas and an initiative is required to get issues again on observe.
“To have been capable of convey down our dependency to such an extent that we’ve is definitely fairly an accomplishment,” Jørgensen informed POLITICO in an interview earlier this week.
Slovakia’s Fico, together with Hungary’s Viktor Órban, has traditionally opposed new power restrictions.
“We are making ready for the scenario that [the gas-transit deal] will end and … it’s another reason why it’s vital for us to have this roadmap very quickly,” he stated, echoing the EU government’s long-running place on the 2019 Moscow-Kyiv deal.
