BRATISLAVA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia will not support a new European Union (EU) package of sanctions against Russia if the Druzhba oil pipeline is not restored, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said in parliament on Thursday.
Oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary were suspended following an attack on Jan. 27, Ukrainian officials said, blaming Russia for the pipeline damage. Slovakia later declared an oil emergency and claimed that Ukraine was deliberately halting oil supplies through the pipeline.
According to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic, Blanar said Slovakia would not approve the EU's 20th sanctions package if the pipeline remained non-operational, arguing that Bratislava has "no other tools" to pressure Ukraine and the European Commission to restore oil flows through Druzhba.
His remarks indicate that Slovakia could block the proposed sanctions package, which requires unanimous approval from EU member states.
However, Blanar also said Slovakia is not blocking an EU loan to Ukraine, noting that it has opted out of participation from the outset and secured an exemption, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, from guarantees and interest repayments.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously blocked the disbursement of the loan over the suspension of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, while Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said Slovakia could take over Hungary's role if necessary. ■