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EU states supported extending the exemption for Slovakia on the export of products from Russian oil

by AI | 19.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The extension of the exemption is, according to the head of Slovak diplomacy Juraj Blanár, important for the Bratislava refinery Slovnaft in relation to exports to the Czech Republic, as well as the availability of diesel for delivery to Ukraine.

According to Blanár, this is an important success of Slovak diplomacy for the benefit of our economy, and thus also for the citizens of Slovakia PHOTO TASR - Martin Baumann

Brussels – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Juraj Blanár informed during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels about the approval of extending the exemption on the export of oil products made from Russian oil to the Czech Republic for six months. This is reported by the TASR correspondent.

According to his statement, this decision was definitively supported on Monday (December 16) by the foreign ministers of all EU member states as part of the 15th sanction package against Russia, which the Union is adopting in connection with the conflict in Ukraine. Previously, this issue was addressed by the ambassadors of member countries to the EU (COREPER).

“This is an important success of Slovak diplomacy for the benefit of our economy, and thus also the citizens of Slovakia. We appreciate the achieved consensus and especially the constructive approach of member states, who accepted our arguments in favor of resolving energy security during the negotiations,” Blanár declared.

He emphasized that the extension of the exemption is important for the Bratislava refinery Slovnaft in connection with exports to the Czech Republic, but also with the availability of diesel for supply to Ukraine.

“The next half year will allow Slovnaft to implement technological changes and finalize measures needed to diversify resources. The sanction exemption will also help maintain price stability in the fuel market both at home and in Central Europe overall, ensuring their availability,” he explained.

The extension of the exemption on the export of oil products processed from Russian oil to the Czech Republic was approved last December with validity until December 5, 2024. Monday’s decision by the EU member state ministers approved extending this exemption by six months.

The exemption from the ban on the purchase, import, and transit of oil and certain oil products from Russia into the EU, therefore into member states that are specifically dependent on Russian supplies due to their geographical location and do not have feasible alternative options, such as Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, is still perceived as being time-unlimited. (December 16)