cs flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by CTK.

The Czech Republic will not seek an extension of the exemption from the ban on importing Russian oil

by AI | 22.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Czech Republic should eliminate its dependence on Russian oil by expanding the TAL pipeline, which is set to double the capacity of oil delivered to the Czech Republic to eight million tons per year starting next year.

In the picture, the endpoint of the Druzhba pipeline at the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. PHOTO TASR - Jaroslav Novák

“`html

Prague – The Czech Republic will not seek to extend the exemption from the European ban on the import of Russian oil products. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) confirmed the information to Reuters today. The exemption will expire on December 5. The ban on the supply of products from Russian oil was approved as part of the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia due to its aggression against Ukraine. Besides the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary also received an exemption from the ban.

“In the context of the current situation and the steps that the Czech Republic is taking to ensure independence from the import of oil from Russia, the Czech Republic sees no reason to extend the exemption,” Marek Vošahlík, spokesperson for MPO, told ČTK.

The Czech Republic should rid itself of dependence on Russian oil by expanding the TAL pipeline, which is set to double the capacity of oil delivered to the Czech Republic to eight million tons per year starting next year. Currently, oil flows into the Czech Republic from two main sources. Of the 7.4 million tons of oil imported last year, about 58 percent came through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia. Another part of the oil comes from the German IKL pipeline, which connects to the Italian TAL pipeline starting in Trieste.

Reuters reported that the Czech Republic mainly obtains Russian oil products through supplies from the Slovak refinery Slovnaft, which is owned by the Hungarian state company MOL. The agency cited earlier statements by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, according to whom Slovakia does not plan to end oil supplies from Russia in the near future. According to Reuters, the Czech Republic could replace supplies from Slovnaft by importing oil products from other countries by rail.

In mid-October, MOL warned that due to the end of the exemption, the Czech Republic could face fluctuations in fuel supplies. However, Orlen Unipetrol, the only oil processor in the Czech Republic, stated that it has secured oil supplies in sufficient quantities to maintain production continuity and is ready to redirect export production to the Czech market if necessary. (November 22)

“`