site.btaCzech PM Babis Expects Rise in Bilateral Business with Bulgaria

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis expects Bulgaria and Czechia to increase bilateral business and develop joint projects, he said at a Bulgarian-Czech business forum in Sofia on Wednesday. He noted that Czech companies are export-oriented and that it is important for conditions to be created for business development. The forum is attended by 176 Bulgarian companies and around 50 Czech companies.

Babis stressed that Czechia and Bulgaria have long had similar positions on various European issues and expressed hope that this cooperation would continue.

The Prime Minister said that together with Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek, he visits various countries and works to promote business for Czech companies. He cited Aero Vodochody Aerospace (AERO) as an example and expressed hope that the project he had discussed with the Bulgarian Prime Minister would be completed.

Babis stressed Czechia's industrial tradition and said that the country has the know-how, skilled people and companies offering high-quality products. According to him, Czechoslovakia was among the world's 10 most industrialised countries, and in 1937 it was the world's largest arms producer.

He also noted the need for more allies in the EU on issues related to European industry. Babis said that Czechia would seek support for its proposals on emissions trading schemes, including postponing ETS2 and changes related to ETS1.

He said that if Europe wants to preserve its industry and limit the impact of the crisis on citizens, the introduction of ETS2 should be postponed. Babis noted that the system would have a direct impact on refineries, people's lives and housing.

The Czech Prime Minister also said that Czechia was proposing that the application of ETS1 be suspended for industrial regions. He noted that in 2020 the forecast had been that the price of allowances in 2030 would be EUR 26.50, whereas it is now around EUR 80. According to him, Czech industry has lost EUR 6.5 billion as a result.

Babis said that emissions allowances should not be subject to speculation by financial investors. He said that he had presented Czechia's proposals to its partners in the Visegrad Group and would seek support from other EU countries as well.

The Czech Prime Minister also highlighted nuclear energy. He recalled that years ago he had insisted that nuclear energy be included in EU conclusions and noted that attitudes towards it in Europe are now changing. In his view, nuclear energy should be placed on an equal footing with renewable energy sources.

Babis noted that Bulgaria and Czechia have long had similar positions on a number of issues and that it is important for them to have more partners in the EU.