European Commission confirms Slovak PM seeks von der Leyen meeting over Druzhba halt

European Commission Deputy Chief Spokesperson Olof Gill has said that Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has requested a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and that it is being prepared.

Source: European Pravda

Quote: "I can confirm that we have received a request for a meeting from Prime Minister Fico."

Details: Gill said this in response to a question about Fico's plans to discuss the halt in oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline with Ursula von der Leyen on 10 March.

Gill added that "we're looking into the President's agenda possibilities and we should be able to confirm that meeting as soon as possible."

"I'm not going to go into the details of what they will discuss. I think it's fair to say that the list of topics I have just mentioned will feature highly on the agenda," said Gill referring to tensions around the Druzhba pipeline which stopped transporting oil.

Gill also said von der Leyen will be in Paris on 10 March to deliver a speech at the Nuclear Energy Summit.

She will travel to Strasbourg the same day to chair a meeting of the College of Commissioners.

On Wednesday 11 March, still in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen will take part in a European Parliament plenary debate ahead of the European Council meeting on 19 and 20 March, as well as a debate on the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East.

Background:

• Robert Fico has said he intends to coordinate his position with the European Commission on the Druzhba oil pipeline before any meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and therefore plans to meet von der Leyen on 10 March.
• Fico and Zelenskyy agreed on a meeting during a phone call on 27 February. Ukraine later invited Fico to visit on 6 or 9 March.
• Earlier, Fico held a press conference presenting satellite images, which he claims confirm the absence of critical damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
• Hungary and Slovakia continue to claim that Ukraine has stopped oil supplies via the Druzhba oil pipeline solely for political reasons, even though the disruption was caused by damage from a Russian attack in late January.
• Both countries have decided to set up an investigative commission to examine the condition of the Druzhba pipeline and are demanding access to the site of the damage.

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