If part of Thursday’s conclusions of the Summit of the European Union (EU) will be a formulation that will invite a solution to renew gas transit via Ukraine to Slovakia, the conclusions of the summit will not block the SR. At the Thursday meeting of the Committee of the National Council of the Slovak Republic for European Affairs, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said it before departure to the Summit. The Prime Minister presented the Committee of the Opinions of the Slovak Republic with whom he leaves for negotiations in Brussels. The Committee of the Slovak Republic approved.
“I think that the mention of the fact that it is necessary in the cooperation of the European Commission, Ukraine and Slovakia to look for a solution to restore gas transit, is bearable,” said Fico. “If the conclusions contain such a formulation, we have no reason not to support them,” he added.
He stressed that the most precise version of the formulation is constantly looking for. The Prime Minister also admitted that We can also expect the disagreement of some countries with the Slovak requirement, because “are countries within the Union that are explicitly militant and wish the continuation of the war”. “I have to count that there will also be a great resistance to the requirement to restore transit. I see some say we’re going crazy“he added.
At the same time, he stated that economic figures clearly prove the necessity of restoration of transit. “I am not just saying that, the German companies are already saying that without the restoration of transit, European economically will not be competitive.” Fico reiterated that Slovakia will not agree with military aid Ukraine, but it will not prevent bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Member States.
At the Committee meeting, Fico objected to criticism that Slovakia was missing at meetings of some EU countries who discussed the security situation, war in Ukraine and increase the EU defenses in previous days and weeks in Paris and London. “All these meetings were that how to keep the pace of the war, as US President Donald Trump has a different rhetoric. We do not want to have anything about it, we refuse war,” stressed.
For the same reason, he also opposed a member of the Committee of the Committee Vladimir Marcinkova (SaS), who called for Slovakia to participate in the announced meeting of the heads of the Paris General Staff, called by French President Emmanuel Macron. “Do you know what this meeting is about? The nuclear umbrella for Europe and the use of nuclear weapons, but France would decide. I don’t ask,” declared the Prime Minister. He also criticized the rejection of the ceasefire as an immediate solution to find an agreement on peace. At the same time, he disagrees with the idea that the ceasefire can provide space for Russia to strengthen its military capacity. According to Fico, Russia was strengthened by the war itself and its extension.
The Prime Minister also announced that European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas may come up with a proposal to carry out an instant collection for Ukraine ranging from 20 to 40 billion euros, where each of the Member States would deposit a certain amount of its budget. “In the case of Slovakia, this is based on 160 to 260 million euros, we will certainly not agree,” added. “If someone wants to help bilaterally, but at a time when we are worried about consolidation, I cannot imagine that we would give a quarter of a billion for military spending on Ukraine,” he stressed.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will travel to Brussels to the extraordinary EU representatives summit. EU leaders will discuss the current situation in Ukraine. The topic will also be the European Defense, which is to help the Union become more sovereign and better equipped to address current and future security challenges. He also announced that In negotiations, the Slovak Republic is a key issue of gas renewal, so Slovakia will propose formulations within the conclusions of the negotiations.
