Blanar Wants to Negotiate Longer Exemption on Ban of Russian Oil Imports

Budapest/Bratislava, November 14 (TASR) - A discussion on extending the exemption from the ban on imports of Russian oil, which poses a crucial ingredient for Slovakia's Slovnaft refinery, should be held at the level of the European Commission, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) declared after his bilateral talks with Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Budapest on Thursday, TASR learnt from its special correspondent on the same day. "We talked about energy security. It's a matter of cardinal importance for us and we're saying this very openly that the Russian Federation has been a reliable partner. We've never had problems with the Russian Federation failing to meet its contracts or supplies, whether it be nuclear fuel, gas or oil. And that's why it's completely natural that it's almost unacceptable for economies such as those of Hungary and Slovakia to buy commodities from other countries, commodities that are four- or even five times more expensive," said Blanar. Blanar also drew attention to the importance of Chinese investments, both in Slovakia and Hungary regarding, for instance, the transition to electric cars. The two ministers also discussed the bolstering of Slovak language's standing in Slovakia, which is part of the Government's Manifesto. In this context, Blanar stated that such measures won't be conducted at the expense of minorities living in Slovakia. Blanar emphasised the joint stance of Hungary and Slovakia on the need to start peace talks in Ukraine without delay, otherwise the EU might lose its competitiveness and face decline in the living standards of its population. mf/mcs