Slovak President, Foreign Minister Slam Purchase Of Russian COVID-19 Vaccine
Sumaira FH Published March 03, 2021 | 01:40 AM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd March, 2021) Slovakia's President Zuzana Caputova and top diplomat Ivan Korcok have expressed dissatisfaction with the prime minister's decision to use the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in absence of the EU regulator's approval.
On Monday, the first batch of Sputnik V vaccines arrived in Slovakia's eastern city of Kosice. Prime Minister Igor Matovic explained that the country decided to buy the vaccine without the EU's green light, as "we have no time to waste, there are not enough vaccines in the country, every day dozens of our compatriots die from COVID-19."
"The use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine [in Slovakia] is not an act of courage or proof of diplomatic success. This is rather a rejection of established medical rules, which guarantee the highest safety standards for people," Caputova said after a meeting with drug agency chief Zuzana Batova.
The president noted that she would respect the decision of people choosing to receive the Russian vaccine, but would not call for mass inoculations with Sputnik V, whose safety has yet to be confirmed by the EU's regulator.
The solution, according to Caputova, is very simple, i.e. to ask the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for an emergency use authorization for Sputnik V.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, foreign minister Korcok echoed the criticism, calling the Russian vaccine "a tool of hybrid warfare."
"The fact that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine has not yet been offered for registration with the EMA confirms that this is not a vaccine, but a tool of hybrid warfare," Korcok claimed.
According to the minister, the Russian vaccine is not a gift, but a commodity that has its own price.
"It is divides us here, at home, and in the European Union and calls into question EU procedures," the diplomat argued.
The foreign minister noted that he has questions about both the way Sputnik V had been purchased and the noisy and "inadequate" ceremony involving the prime minister to mark its arrival at the Kosice airport.
Korcok lambasted that Matovic had not consulted him about the purchase, holding negotiations with Russia on his own.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PSX achieves significant milestone, surpasses 72,000 mark
Pak Vs NZ T20I: Orphaned children extended special invitation to watch match
Finance Minister lauds UNDP’s unwavering support during floods
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
More Stories From World
-
China announces new partners for International Lunar Research Station
38 minutes ago -
Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-18 mission meet press
38 minutes ago -
Partial power outage at Fukushima plant, water release suspended
38 minutes ago -
China renews blue alert for rainstorms
48 minutes ago -
China's overnight Shibor interbank rate decreases Wednesday
48 minutes ago -
Means of production prices mostly rise in China
48 minutes ago
-
China's Chang'e-7 lunar mission to carry instruments developed through int'l cooperation
49 minutes ago -
Tokyo stocks end higher tracking Wall Street gains
1 hour ago -
Wildfires burn large land in Mongolia
1 hour ago -
S. Korea's births keep falling in February
1 hour ago -
China to send Spain new panda couple on April 29
1 hour ago -
Chinese astronauts fix space station power supply after debris hit
1 hour ago