Slovakia is prepared to hold a political debate on anti-Russian sanctions during its EU presidency, Slovakia’s Ambassador to Russia Peter Priputen has told TASS.
“A consensus was reached at a meeting of permanent representatives of the EU member-countries on June 21 on the extension of the sectoral sanctions related to the implementation of the Minsk accords for another six months,” the diplomat recalled.
He noted that the internal dynamics within the EU shows that the political debate on the sanctions issue “could be held during Slovakia’s presidency of the EU Council.” “We are prepared to create conditions for this discussion,” Priputen said.
He voiced the conviction that both the EU’s relations with Russia and bilateral relations between Moscow and Bratislava have huge prospects (and not only in the commercial sector).
“The fact that we have been able to preserve the dynamics of political dialogue proves that,” the diplomat said. “Bratislava is interested in developing pragmatic and constructive relations with Moscow,” he added.
“Russia remains one of the most important trade and investment partners for Slovakia outside the EU,” Priputen said.
Slovakia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time during the next six months.