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Bratislava/Brussels – The Slovak Republic has succeeded in pushing for the draft EU regulation on the ban on imports of Russian gas until autumn 2027, on which negotiators of the Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached a preliminary agreement, to include the possibility of using a long-term contract for the supply of Russian gas for another two years and, conversely, not to include a ban on imports of Russian oil. Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Denisa Saková (Hlas-SD) stated this on Wednesday. According to her, the Slovak Republic will prepare its national plan for diversification of gas supplies by March next year, TASR reports.
The draft provides for a legally binding and gradual ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas via pipelines from Russia to Europe, with a full ban to take effect from the end of next year for LNG and for pipeline gas on 30 September 2027, but no later than 1 November 2027.
“By that time, the finalisation of infrastructure projects to increase transit capacity in neighbouring states is expected. At the same time, gas supplies for our consumption will be replaced by other sources, including LNG from the United States, which Slovakia is negotiating with Poland, Germany, Czechia and Greece,” noted Denisa Saková, adding that for Slovakia the key issues are the price of gas and the level of transport fees for industry and households.
Saková reiterated that from the beginning the Government of the Slovak Republic has considered the European Commission’s proposal ideological and risky for supply security. According to her, Slovakia is dependent on transit routes and Russian gas still accounts for 33 percent of total supplies.
According to the minister, some MEPs called for a faster end to imports of Russian gas, but Slovak representatives managed to push through the possibility of using a long-term contract for another two years, she said in a statement. In addition, state representatives ensured that the ban on imports of oil from Russia was not included in the draft regulation, she added. “Our arguments prevailed and the Danish Presidency, together with the European Commission, defended our interest,” she said.
The EP statement says that MEPs advocated a ban on imports of all Russian oil and achieved that the Eurocommission committed to draw up a legislative proposal for such a ban. According to the EP, the proposal is to be submitted at the beginning of next year so that the ban takes effect no later than the end of 2027.
According to the Slovak minister, a security clause was also included in the text, which provides that if the gas supply of at least one EU member state is endangered, the ban will be temporarily suspended and, in an extreme emergency, it will be possible to resume imports of gas from Russia. “This is for our protection if Europe finds itself in a situation where there is a shortage especially of LNG gas, which is traded on the global market,” added Saková.
The draft requires EU member states to submit national diversification plans outlining measures to diversify their gas supplies and potential challenges with the aim of ending all imports of gas from Russia in a timely manner in line with the deadlines set out in the regulation. According to Saková, Slovakia will do so by March 2026. (3 December)
“Gas supplies for our consumption will be replaced by other sources, including LNG from the United States, which Slovakia is negotiating with Poland, Germany, Czechia and Greece.” Denisa Saková