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Slovakia, Hungary rebuff EU contact us to change lost Russian oil via Croatia

Slovakia and Hungary on Friday rebuffed a European Commission recommendation that they might replace lost Russian oil supplies via an alternative path through Croatia saying it was too expensive.

Products from Russia's biggest oil exporter Lukoil through Ukraine were stopped in July following a ban by Ukrainian authorities on Lukoil utilizing the Druzhba pipeline, which connects Russia to eastern Europe.

Hungary and Slovakia earlier this month asked the European Commission to step in and moderate as the threatened their security of supply.

But they are declining the European Commission's proposition to usage spare capability on the JANAF Adriatic pipeline in Croatia to supply both countries with oil not sourced in Russia.

Croatia is just not a reliable country for transit, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. Oil transit costs were raised fivefold considering that the outbreak of the (Ukraine). war by Croatia.

Slovakia, whose Hungarian-owned Slovnaft refinery currently. takes some oil via JANAF, also referred to as Adria, said on Friday it. received a letter from the Croatian government providing to. secure materials.

But for what rate? What capability? No one understands that. today, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar stated in a. declaration.

Slovakia wants the Commission to get Ukraine to totally. renew flows from Russia, but he stated it will also search for. another solution in case the Commission does not act.

Following Russia's 2022 intrusion, European Union forbade. oil imports to its member states in an attempt to wean itself. off from Russian fossil fuels, however offered an exemption to Hungary,. Slovakia and the Czech Republic to discover alternative routes and. supplies.

Flows from Russian providers besides Lukoil by means of Druzhba. have actually continued.

EU commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Friday said Ukraine. had actually confirmed that Lukoil oil flowing through Ukraine was at. that point of its journey already owned by other entities and. thus sanctions do not use to it, raising concerns about the. reason for the disturbance to the circulation.

In spite of dragged out talks over transit charges, Croatia's JANAF. and Hungary's MOL managed to sign an one-year agreement. in May 2023, on a transportation and storage deal for 2.9 million. tonnes of crude on the Adriatic pipeline to MOL's Hungarian and. Slovak refineries.

Hungary on Friday also grumbled that Croatia has actually stopped working to. invest in capacity structure, and has actually never ever shown the figure it. has actually given for the optimum transit capability of its pipeline.

Croatia's federal government press office did not instantly respond. to ask for comment.

(source: Reuters)