Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár announced that Bratislava is ready to support the nineteenth package of European Union sanctions against the Russian Federation. However, this support is only possible under certain conditions: the European Commission must develop solutions to the issue of high electricity prices and align climate goals with the urgent needs of the country’s industry.
This is reported by Finway
Slovakia Emphasizes Protection of Industry
According to Blanár, the current draft of sanctions should not directly negatively impact Slovakia’s economy. At the same time, he stressed the utmost importance of avoiding threats to the competitiveness of key sectors, particularly the automotive industry, which is of strategic importance to the state. The minister added that the government continues consultations regarding the impact of climate policy and high energy resource tariffs on European industry. Slovakia expects the European Commission to adapt climate goals to support the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector amid rising energy prices.
Hungary Will Not Block New EU Restrictions
Meanwhile, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has no intention of blocking the adoption of the nineteenth sanctions package, as Budapest has managed to remove all provisions from the document that contradicted the national interests of the country. The new sanctions package is expected to be approved as early as October 23 at a meeting of the European Council.
Slovakia is ready to support the 19th EU sanctions package against Russia on the condition that the European Commission proposes solutions to the issue of high electricity prices and aligns climate goals with the needs of industry.