The meeting between Austrian Chancellor Stocker and Czech Prime Minister Babiš in Vienna focused on joint progress in migration and energy issues. They emphasized the need for an effective deportation policy and discussed different views on nuclear energy.
Competitiveness, illegal migration and geopolitical issues were the topics of Tuesday’s meeting between Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, which took place in Vienna. TASR informs about it with reference to the APA agency.
Stocker stressed the need for “consistent” deportation of migrants, especially those convicted of crimes. Babiš said that Europe finally understood the importance of a consistent deportation policy. According to him, the right to security of citizens of European Union countries has priority over the right to stay.
The question of nuclear energy
According to the Austrian chancellor, both countries have the same positions on many issues, but nuclear energy is not one of them.
“However, it is a sovereign decision of each country how to solve its energy supplies. Nuclear energy is an issue that divides us,” Stocker said, adding that this topic should not affect the good relations between Austria and the Czech Republic.
Stocker described the Czech Republic as “an important partner, business partner and investment market for Austria”. He argued for the continuation of the free allocation of the so-called emission allowances as a tool to strengthen the economy. It is also important to reduce energy prices.
Babiš defends nuclear energy
Babiš supported this opinion. He argued that since his country needs cheap energy as part of efforts to prevent the departure of companies from the Czech Republic and does not have the topographical advantages of Austria, nuclear energy is necessary. According to Babiš, emission allowances are too expensive because speculators raise prices.
Both Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of the Western Balkans region and called on the EU to pay more attention to this region. They also expressed a desire for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Ignoring journalists’ questions
At the press conference, the Czech Prime Minister ignored the journalist’s questions regarding the dispute between Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and President Petr Pavlo regarding the head of state’s disagreement with the appointment of Filip Turk as Minister of the Environment, APA wrote.
