April 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia will file a lawsuit in the coming days challenging the European Union's decision to ban Russian gas imports, adopted by a qualified majority, and will seek a preliminary
Slovakia to File Lawsuit Challenging EU Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027
Slovakia's Legal Challenge Against EU Russian Gas Ban
Announcement of Lawsuit
April 17 (Reuters) - Slovakia will file a lawsuit in the coming days challenging the European Union's decision to ban Russian gas imports, adopted by a qualified majority, and will seek a preliminary injunction, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.
Details of the Legal Action
The suit will be filed with the EU's Court of Justice, Fico said, criticising the way the regulation was adopted.
Background on the EU Ban
The ban on Russian gas imports, to be implemented by late 2027, was cleared by a reinforced majority of countries, allowing the EU to overcome opposition from Slovakia and Hungary when it approved the measure earlier this year.
Slovak Government's Position
"According to the Slovak government, this is a clear violation of all the principles on which the EU treaties are based," Fico said, adding that decisions on sanctions and foreign policy issues should be taken unanimously.
Regional Context and Deadline
Hungary's Similar Lawsuit
Hungary has already filed a lawsuit against the ban, and Slovakia had previously said it would do the same. Fico said the government would submit its lawsuit by an April 27 deadline.
Continued Russian Gas Supplies
Both countries have maintained Russian gas supplies despite EU efforts to end the bloc's reliance on Russian energy and cut funding for Moscow's war with Ukraine.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague. Editing by Mark Potter)
