Conclusions for the Council require unanimous support from all 27 EU member countries to be formally adopted. However, Hungary’s recent opposition has led to joint statements issued on behalf of the remaining 26, with Slovakia usually included.
Fico stated, “I am not interested in new sanctions against Russia until I see the European Council’s conclusions giving political guidance to the European Commission on addressing the automotive industry crisis and high energy prices that harm the European economy’s competitiveness.”
“The Slovak government will propose more specific ideas than those currently in the draft conclusions,” he added.
A draft of the conclusions, discussed by envoys before the talks and accessed by POLITICO, reiterates support for Ukraine amidst Russia’s full-scale invasion. It highlights the necessity for Ukraine to be resilient and to maintain the budgetary and military means to defend itself and resist Russia’s aggression.
The document also focuses on economic competitiveness, proposing a significant program to reduce regulatory burdens on business, if agreed.
“The European Council urges the Commission to quickly introduce more ambitious simplification packages, particularly in automotive, military mobility, digital, environment, and food safety,” it states.
Slovakia has consistently opposed tightening EU sanctions on Russia to push Moscow towards negotiation. It has also increased its reliance on Russian energy through what was intended as a temporary exemption.
Two diplomats, speaking anonymously to POLITICO, mentioned that Slovakia persists in vetoing the EU’s latest Russia sanctions package — the 19th since the war began — even as other countries near an agreement following a Wednesday ambassadors’ meeting.
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