Brussels/Bratislava – Energy Commissioner Dan Jörgensen shared on the X platform Thursday that he had a productive discussion with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding the energy situation and the broader consequences of halting Russian gas transit through Ukraine, according to a report from TASR’s Brussels correspondent.
“Discussions on these matters will continue at both political and technical levels with Slovakia and Ukraine,” Jörgensen stated, echoing Fico’s comments from their press conference. The Prime Minister also announced the formation of a working group that will include Economy Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas-SD), who took part in negotiations in Brussels on Thursday with Jörgensen and officials from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.
Jörgensen reassured that “there are no concerns regarding gas supply security for the EU,” but he addressed Slovakia’s economic worries during his bilateral meeting with Fico and mentioned that they prepared a joint statement on the matter.
In their joint statement, they said, “We had a constructive discussion regarding the energy situation and the wider implications of the end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. We will keep these discussions ongoing at both the political and technical levels between Slovakia and the European Commission. We have agreed to form a high-level working group to monitor the situation and identify opportunities based on our joint assessment to determine how the EU can assist.”
Fico reminded that his government is committed to “devoting all its energy” around the clock to address this issue. Minister Saková emphasized to the media in Brussels that her ministry had made extensive efforts last year to secure gas supplies via Ukrainian transit and expressed optimism for the future.
“We want to ensure that Slovaks and Slovak industries have access to adequate energy at affordable prices. We are prepared for this season; we have sufficient gas in storage and have entered into diversification contracts for gas supplies through various transit routes. We are not backing down; rather, we will continue to engage with the European Commission, Ukrainian authorities, and other partners to restore gas supplies and transit through Ukraine,” Saková explained. She noted that resuming gas supplies along this route would also be advantageous for other Central European nations.
The Slovak side is prepared to discuss this matter “at every available opportunity” starting next Monday, with the aim of finding a solution that benefits Ukraine, Slovakia, and the broader Central European region. (January 9)
**“We are not giving up; on the contrary, we will continue to negotiate at the European Commission level, with the Ukrainian side, and with other partners to restore gas supplies and transit through Ukraine.”**
— Denisa Saková
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