Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, in a letter he sent to EU leaders and representatives of individual member states last week, proposed to establish a group of “friends of competitiveness”. In it, the countries would address in detail the proposals that, according to Babiš, they should have to strengthen the European economy and the strategic self-sufficiency of the EU. On Monday, the Czech Government Office informed about the proposals of the Czech Republic, writes TASR correspondent in Prague.
Babiš has been marking for a long time informal EU summit on competitiveness, which is scheduled for February 12, as essential. He therefore came up with the initiative of concrete steps that, according to him, the Union should take in order to strengthen its competitiveness. “Without a strong and competitive industry, the EU will neither succeed in transformation, nor in strengthening security, nor in long-term prosperity,” said the Czech Prime Minister.
In the letter, which he also sent to the president in addition to the leaders of the EU member states of the European Council Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council António Costa, outlined 11 points. According to him, their fulfillment should contribute to supporting industry, securing available energy or removing obstacles for companies so that they can continue to grow.
In the letter he writes that it is necessary for the EU limited the uncontrolled growth of emission allowance prices and prevented speculation with them on the financial markets. She should too delay the launch of the ETS 2 system, revise the EU’s climate goals or simplify and speed up public procurement. According to the Czech government, European prosperity would also be helped by speeding up approval processes for investments, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring favorable conditions for nuclear energy and natural gas.
The Czech Prime Minister also considers it important strengthening cross-border energy connections in electricity and gas, increasing raw material self-sufficiency or developing industries with high added value.
Babiš pointed out that is ready to actively contribute to the search for balanced solutions. “I propose to prepare specific legislative proposals for the above-mentioned topics, which will have a positive impact on the lives of citizens and businesses throughout the EU. My ministers and their teams are ready to further develop these solutions and work closely on them with their departmental partners,” he added and suggested to establish a “friends of competitiveness group of interested states” that would deal with individual proposals in more detail.
