EC to analyze Hungary, Slovakia's letter on Ukraine's halting oil transit – spokesperson
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) Valdis Dombrovskis received a joint letter from the foreign ministers of Hungary and Slovakia on July 22 regarding Ukraine's decision to halt oil transit from LUKOIL, said European Commission Spokesperson for Trade and Agriculture Olof Gill.
The EC is currently analyzing the content of this letter; the EC will gather more detailed information before making any decision. At this stage, there are no direct implications for the security of the union's oil supply, the spokesperson said on Tuesday during a briefing in Brussels.
According to him, as usual, the EC is constantly monitoring this issue through the oil supply coordination working group and is in close contact with the Hungarian and Slovak authorities.
The Commission is ready to assist member states that will experience consequences to find a joint solution with Ukraine, the EC representative said, adding that Brussels maintains contact with Kyiv as well.
Gill deemed it necessary to clarify that only the European Union, represented by the Commission, and not individual member states, can take any actions or procedures.
He reported that Hungary and Slovakia had demanded a meeting of the Trade Policy Committee on Wednesday, where the issue could be discussed in detail, and additional information could be obtained.
Earlier, it was reported that Hungary and Slovakia had stopped receiving pipeline oil from LUKOIL due to a transit ban imposed by Ukraine. Last month, Kyiv tightened sanctions against LUKOIL, effectively banning the transit of oil that passes through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline. The company is a major supplier of raw materials to both Hungary and Slovakia.
The Trade Policy Committee advises and assists the European Commission in negotiating agreements on behalf of the EU with third countries or international organizations in the field of common trade policy. It also prepares the signing and conclusion of trade and investment agreements by the Council of the European Union.
