On Friday, 1 July, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stressed how important it is for the European Union to “stand united” in facing the energy challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The Czech Republic is ready to take part in looking for solutions to these challenges”, declared Mr Fiala after a meeting between his government and the European Commission in Litomyšl upon the launch of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. Among these challenges, he cited energy independence and security as well as the ability of [Member] States to offer their citizens affordable energy.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen indicated that, around “mid-July”, the EU institution would present a European emergency plan meant to enable the EU to respond in a coordinated way to a generalised cut-off of Russian gas deliveries, in accordance with the European Council’s request (see EUROPE 12979/1). She spoke of the need for intelligent action to be taken with regard to prices (curtailment) and for solidarity through interconnections—the Czech Republic being “well connected” to its neighbours. A week ago, the average gas storage level in the EU was 55%, she noted.
Mrs von der Leyen also mentioned the REPowerEU strategy, which aims to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian hydrocarbons by diversifying supply and making massive investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The president of the European Commission asked Mr Fiala to do his utmost to ensure that the Czech Presidency reaches an agreement in the EU Council on the legislative texts that will grant €300 billion in European funding so as to make the REPowerEU strategy a reality, including €200 billion coming from the loan component of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan (see EUROPE 12955/4 and 12956/2). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)