Premier: We Won't Support Advantages for Ukraine, Unless Our Conditions Are Met

Bratislava, February 20 (TASR) - Slovakia won't support the European Commission's (EC) proposal to extend the trade liberalisation with Ukraine on Wednesday (February 21) in the vote in the EU institutions, unless comments protecting Slovak farmers are passed, Prime Minister Robert Fico said following his meeting with Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (both Smer-SD) on Tuesday. According to the EC proposal, the benefits for Ukraine should be extended by one year until June 5, 2025. "Ukraine should continue to have benefits as if it were an EU member state. No customs duties, no taxes in trade with EU member states," Fico pointed out in a press release sent to the media. The premier emphasised that the complete liberalisation of trade significantly damages the countries immediately adjacent to Ukraine. Therefore, according to him, Slovakia demands, for example, that there be protection for EU member countries when importing grain or honey from Ukraine, or that many deadlines proposed by the EC be adjusted. "However, the EC and many EU member states are deaf and blind. In the holy fight against Russia, everything is permitted, even if Slovak farmers should perish in the name of Ukrainian interests," added the prime minister. Fico instructed the representatives who will vote on behalf of Slovakia not to support the EC's proposal unless comments protecting Slovak farmers are passed. "I believe that in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria they will have the same opinion," added the premier. am