Sakova: Slovakia and Czech Republic Step Up Energy and Industrial Cooperation

Bratislava, 10 November (TASR) – Slovakia and the Czech Republic are firming up cooperation in the energy and industrial sectors to ensure affordable energy, secure oil and gas supplies and improved business competitiveness, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) and Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlicek declared after a joint session of the two governments in Bratislava on Tuesday. They also underlined the need for greater flexibility in the use of European funding. Both Slovakia and the Czech Republic have strong industrial traditions and closely interconnected economies. Although industry is a key component of both economies, it is currently facing serious challenges in the form of high energy prices and rising costs, Sakova said. She emphasised that maintaining the competitiveness of domestic companies in European and global markets requires an environment that encourages manufacturing, investment and the development of modern technologies. "Slovakia and the Czech Republic have interconnected energy infrastructure and face similar challenges, so we can achieve more by acting together. If the European Union expects energy supply diversification and a competitive industrial sector, it must allow us to use European funding for necessary investments and to support businesses facing high energy costs. It cannot keep making ever greater demands on member states while simultaneously tying their hands," Sakova said after the session. According to the minister, Slovak-Czech cooperation has already resulted in agreements on gas storage and tests of emergency diesel supplies. The two countries are also examining the possibility of reverse oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, involving an estimated investment of €41 million on the Czech side. Their future priorities will include diversifying oil supply routes, bolstering energy security and promoting shared interests at EU level, particularly efforts to lower energy prices and protect industry. Sakova is advocating greater flexibility in the use of EU funds to support energy-intensive industries and develop more secure infrastructure. Slovakia plans to make better use of existing and new financial instruments for this purpose, including the Modernisation Fund and the ETS Investment Booster scheme. Nuclear energy remains a key area of Slovak-Czech cooperation, with the two countries sharing experience in preparing new nuclear units at Jaslovske Bohunice and Dukovany. Bratislava will host the European Nuclear Energy Forum in 2027. mf