The European Union failed to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, as Slovakia demanded more guarantees that it would not be harmed by a separate EU plan to phase out Russian gas.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said in a letter released by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's office that it would work to address Slovakia's concerns, attempting to unlock a deal on the EU sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Slovakia's representative at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Tuesday was tasked with requesting a delay to a planned vote on the sanctions, Mr Fico said.
"The government coalition rejects the imbecile proposal of the European Commission to stop the flow of Russian gas from 2028," he said.
"However, it is ready to negotiate guarantees that will provide Slovakia with a certain comfort in gas supplies after 2028."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking after the foreign ministers' meeting, said she was "really sad" the sanctions did not get approved, adding that "the ball is in Slovakia's court". She added she was hopeful a deal on the sanctions could be reached on Wednesday.
Slovakia has been blocking the latest sanctions package – which requires unanimous approval from EU member states – until its concerns are addressed over an EU proposal to phase out imports of Russian gas by January 1, 2028.
Slovakia, which continues to import Russian energy and often takes pro-Russian views on Ukraine, argues that quitting Russian gas could cause shortages, raise prices and transit fees, and lead to damage claims from Russian supplier Gazprom.
Bid for exemption
In his statement calling for a delay on the sanctions vote, Mr Fico blamed Slovak opposition parties for labelling EU proposals as insufficient.
However, the largest Slovak opposition party has backed the EU approach to sanctions against Russia and criticised the government on Tuesday for not diversifying energy supplies away from Russia already, as others in the EU have done.
Slovakia has warned of the potential legal costs of breaking its gas contract with Gazprom, and Mr Fico added the best solution would be an exemption in the Russian energy phase-out for Slovakia to allow it to fulfil its contract running until 2034.
The Commission, in its letter, said it would stand ready to intervene if needed during potential litigation. But it did not offer an exemption.
According to the letter, the Commission will clarify how an "emergency break" can be triggered if gas prices spike because of scarce supply during the Russian gas phase-out.
Brussels will also develop a solution that aims to reduce the costs of cross-border tariffs on gas and oil for Slovakia, said the letter, which was dated Tuesday.
The EU's proposals to ban Russian gas by 2028 – with a gradual phase-out beginning next year – need support from a reinforced majority of countries to pass, meaning Slovakia alone cannot veto them.
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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