Slovnaft refinery (source: Courtesy of Slovnaft)
Slovakia can export fuels and oil products made from Russian crude oil to the Czech Republic after January 1. Slovakia has managed to negotiate in Brussels an extension of the exemption for another six months. The chiefs of diplomacy of EU countries approved the extension for the export of fuels and oil products made from crude oil originating in the Russian Federation on Monday, December 16, Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár announced during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
“The granting of an exemption for the export of Russian oil products to the Czech Republic is an important achievement not only from the perspective of our internal market, but also because of stable prices in the region,” Economy Minister Denisa Saková said on December 12 as cited by the SITA newswire. “That's why I'm glad that we have managed to extend the exemption.”
Blanár noted on December 16 that the decision was definitively supported by all EU-member states within the 15th sanction package against Russia adopted by the Union in connection with the conflict in Ukraine. Previously, this issue was dealt with by the ambassadors of member countries to the EU (COREPER).
“This is an important success for Slovak diplomacy for the benefit of our economy, and thus also the citizens of Slovakia,” said Blanár. “We appreciate the consensus reached and, above all, the constructive approach of the member states, which accepted our arguments in favour of resolving energy security.”
Blanár stressed that the extension of the exemption is important for the Bratislava-based Slovnaft refinery in connection with its exports to the Czech Republic, but also with the availability of oil for consumption in Ukraine.
“This will allow Slovnaft to implement technological changes and finalise measures needed for diversifying resources in the next six months,” said Blanár. “The sanction exception will also help to maintain price stability on the fuel market both at home and in central Europe as a whole.”
The original exemption for exports of oil products processed from Russian oil to the Czech Republic was approved last December and was valid until December 5, 2024.
