Richard Sulik, a leader of the SaS party, reacts during a news conference in Bratislava, Slovakia March 5, 2016. REUTERS/David W Cerny
PRAGUE, April 3 – The economy minister of Slovakia, which relies on Russian gas for around 85% of its needs, said the country cannot be cut off from Russian gas flows and if it had to pay in rubles it would do. although it advocated a common stance by the European Union.
Russia has demanded payment for gas in rubles, but the European Commission said on Friday that European companies whose supply contracts include payment in euros or dollars should not meet the demand.
“The gas (flow) must not stop,” said Slovak Economy Minister Richard Sulik in a Sunday debate program on public broadcaster RTVS. “If there is a condition to pay in rubles, then we pay in rubles.”
Sulik added that Slovakia will continue to work on a joint approach with the EU.
Slovakia announced this week that state-owned gas company SPP paid its gas bill in euros in March, as contracted.
Sulik said the country still has six weeks to find a solution before the next gas payment is due on May 20, but Slovakia cannot go without supplies.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday the change would not affect settlements until later this month.
The threat of a gas shortage comes after Europe’s peak demand winter season, but it comes as European businesses and households are already facing a huge surge in energy prices. Continue reading
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Sunday that the European Union should talk about ending Russian gas imports.
Reporting by Jason Hovet Editing by Alexandra Hudson