EU Energy Commissioner Jørgensen warned Slovakia it must be prepared to function without Russian gas, a message that comes as the Slovak government grapples with high energy prices and seeks special measures for its industrial sector. The call was made during a meeting in Brussels, where the commissioner emphasized the EU’s strategic goal of ending reliance on Russian fuel supplies.
Slovakia’s industrial response
Slovakia’s Minister of Economy, Veronika Saková, has asked the European Commission for exemptions that would allow factories to receive additional support under EU climate and energy rules. According to the Slovak daily Aktuality, Saková’s proposal aims to shield energy‑intensive producers from the full impact of the bloc’s green transition, arguing that without such relief, the sector could face competitiveness losses.
"Can you function without Russian gas?" the EU commissioner asked Slovak officials, underscoring the urgency of the transition.
Regional pressure for flexible funding
Across the Visegrád Group (V4), governments are echoing Slovakia’s concerns. Reuters reported that East European states are lobbying the EU to grant more flexibility in the allocation of recovery and resilience funds, allowing member states to channel money directly to firms hit by rising electricity and gas prices. The demand reflects a broader anxiety that the current funding rules are too rigid to address the rapid escalation of energy costs.
In the Czech Republic, the energy portal oEnergetice.cz noted that the Czech government is preparing a national price cap for gas, a move intended to curb the impact of market volatility on households and industry alike. The Czech initiative is part of a coordinated V4 effort to use EU funds to support industry while also protecting consumers.
Implications for the EU’s energy strategy
The push for exemptions and flexible funding arrives at a time when the European Commission is accelerating its plan to phase out Russian gas by the end of 2024. While the commission has pledged substantial financial assistance to member states transitioning to alternative supplies, the exact mechanisms for that support remain under negotiation.
Analysts note that the Slovak request could set a precedent for other Eastern European nations seeking similar treatment. If granted, exemptions might create a divergent path within the EU’s climate framework, potentially complicating the bloc’s unified emissions targets.
For Slovakia, the stakes are high. The country imports a significant share of its gas from Russia, and domestic industry—particularly steel, automotive parts, and chemicals—relies heavily on affordable energy. A failure to secure adequate relief could lead to plant shutdowns, job losses, and reduced export capacity.
EU officials have not yet responded publicly to Saková’s appeal, but they have indicated a willingness to discuss “targeted measures” for the most vulnerable sectors. The outcome of these discussions will likely influence how the EU balances its climate ambitions with the immediate economic pressures facing its eastern members.
As the EU navigates the twin challenges of energy security and climate policy, Slovakia’s situation underscores the delicate trade‑off between rapid decarbonisation and maintaining industrial competitiveness in the region.
