Before the start of the informal EU summit on competitiveness, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš criticized the way decisions are made within the European Union. According to him, the European Council, that is, the presidents and prime ministers of member countries, should also propose directives, not only the European Commission. Before the start of Thursday’s proceedings at Alden Biesen Castle in Belgium, he also emphasized that the only immediate solution to the current state of European industry and high energy prices is to change the Emissions Trading Directive. According to him, the Czech Republic is already gaining allies to implement its proposals, informs TASR reporter.
- Andrej Babiš criticized the current way of decision-making in the EU.
- He suggested that the European Council, not only the Commission, could issue directives.
- He considers the adjustment of the emission allowance trading system to be the key solution to the crisis.
- He refuses that emission allowances are the subject of financial speculation.
- The Czech Republic is gaining support for its proposals and is active in the discussion.
According to Babiš, it is unacceptable that the EU ETS system becomes the subject of financial speculation. Therefore, he considers the only solution to be to change it so that it does not allow speculators to make money from it. “Let the industry that pollutes the air pay that tax, but it cannot be a matter of speculation. Everyone knows that the price will go up, and the consequence is that European industry is collapsing.” said the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
He pointed out that presidents and prime ministers are dependent on convincing the Commission of their proposals for changes, and he wondered why they could not also propose directives. “It is necessary to return to the (founding) treaties and look at the way in which we actually make decisions in the EU… It is absolutely clear that Europe needs to change the way of decision-making and competences… Heads of government and presidents should propose. The Commission should execute.” he declared.
According to Babiš, the EC’s ideas regarding the solution to the state of European industry and competitiveness are “completely beside the point”. “They don’t understand what’s going on at all. We will definitely remind them and write. For me, this informal summit is just the beginning, because we obviously differ in our opinions.” he noted, saying that he is determined and will do everything to bring about changes in this matter.
He added that the Czech Republic is active and, as one of the few countries, also proposes concrete solutions. “Unlike some of my colleagues, I know what the industry is,” emphasized Babiš. According to him, the other proposals are a long shot.
