Rasi Meets Czech Trade Minister Havlicek to Discuss Energy Security

Bratislava, 17 February (TASR) - Energy security and self-sufficiency of Slovakia and the Czech Republic were the fulcrum of a meeting between House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) and Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek on Tuesday, TASR learnt from the Parliament's press department on the same day. Together with House Economic Affairs Committee chair Robert Puci (Voice-SD), Rasi received Havlicek at the premises of the Slovak Parliament. Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as industrially oriented countries with similar economic structures, must closely coordinate their positions within the EU, Rasi said. The aim of such cooperation is to ensure that European decarbonisation and energy initiatives take into account Slovak and Czech national specifics and do not threaten the competitiveness of domestic industry. Rasi highlighted the importance of expert dialogue also at the level of parliamentary committees. "I consider it crucial to translate our shared interests in economic growth and innovations into concrete measures. That is why I have high expectations for the September meeting of the economic committees of the parliaments of the V4 [the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia] countries, which will be organised by our Committee for Economic Affairs under the leadership of its chair Robert Puci. It will be an ideal opportunity for an in-depth discussion on protecting our industry and effectively linking scientific and research capacities that will bring direct benefits to our people," Rasi stated. mf