Slovakia will use the right of veto against Ukraine

Prague/Brussels, (EFE).- The Prime Minister of Slovakia, the left-wing populist Robert Fico, said that Ukraine’s suspension of Russian gas supplies is a unilateral measure that harms the interests of Slovakia and the European Union (EU). ., and will therefore exercise veto power on community matters requiring unanimity.

“I have to rely on the fact that there is a veto, which in difficult situations I could logically use,” Fizzo said after a meeting in Brussels with the European Union’s energy and housing commissioner, Dan Jorgensen, to assess the impact of the gas.

Unanimity on some EU decisions

In the EU, decisions regarding the common foreign and security policy, as well as the approval of the accession of new states, budgetary policy, taxation, among others, are taken unanimously.

“If Ukraine asks the European Union for money, billions of euros, some politicians may say no,” Fizo said, arguing that Ukraine could receive 800 million euros in transit fees if it keeps the Druzhba gas pipeline open. which he refused from January 1.

Loss of industry competitiveness

After the meeting with Jørgensen, Fizo reiterated that the increase in gas prices as a result of reduced traffic means a loss of competitiveness for European industry.

“The cost of a megawatt-hour in the USA is below 10 euros, and in Europe we pay 50 euros per megawatt-hour,” said the president of Slovakia.

Fico spoke about other reciprocity measures against Ukraine, such as a partial or complete suspension of aid to 127,000 refugees from that country who fled the war to Slovakia.

However, he acknowledged that the measure would require an arduous legislative process.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Bratislava and Brussels announced the creation of a “high-level working group” to “monitor and identify options based on a joint analysis of the situation and to see how the EU can help.”

Slovakia worried about loss of ‘transit revenue’

For his part, Jorgensen said he “understands” Slovakia’s concerns about “transit revenues” and assured that both sides “will continue to carefully discuss these issues”, always in line with the bloc’s commitment to “stop energy imports from Russia”. as soon as possible.

The Dane, in any case, repeated that “there are no risks for the security of supplies for the EU” due to the expiration of the transit contract “thanks also to the fact of preparation for more than a year with the most affected member state.”