Babiš seeks talks with Macron on changes to carbon allowances, not Ukraine

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) wants to seek support for changes to the emissions trading system during today’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. He also wants to discuss nuclear power, while Ukraine will not be a topic at today’s dinner, he said before departing for Paris. The Czech prime minister will meet Macron on the eve of an informal EU summit at the Alden Biesen castle in Belgium, where European leaders are due to discuss strengthening the competitiveness of the 27-member bloc.

The informal European Council is crucial for the future of European industry and the lives of Europeans, according to Babiš, as it is also set to address the prices of allowances and energy. The current Babiš government argues that the EU’s current green policies threaten the competitiveness of European industry and that the Czech Republic, as an industrially oriented country, is paying a higher price than others.

The EU introduced its Emissions Trading System (ETS 1) in 2005. It applies primarily to the energy sector, energy-intensive industry and aviation. It sets an overall cap on carbon dioxide emissions, with companies required to surrender a corresponding allowance for every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted. The Czech government is advocating, among other things, a cap on the price of current emissions allowances at a maximum of 30 euros per tonne of carbon dioxide, at the level of 2020 estimates. In a letter sent to EU politicians at the beginning of February, Babiš called not only for changes to ETS 1 but also for a postponement of the launch of ETS 2, which would extend the system to road transport and building heating.

If the current emissions allowance system is not changed, European industry cannot survive it unscathed, Babiš said today. In recent days, he has discussed support for the Czech proposal with his counterparts in Austria, Bavaria and Italy. He is concerned about whether anything can be agreed at the summit. "There are an awful lot of proposals there, and I am worried that everyone will say something and nothing will happen. We certainly do not want to allow that," he added.

He also wants to discuss the future of nuclear power with the French president. According to Babiš, the European Union does not want to recognise nuclear power as an equally clean and sustainable energy source as solar or wind. "It is absurd," Babiš said.

He will not discuss support for Ukraine with Macron, describing this as disinformation from French Ambassador to Prague Stéphane Crouzat. "I will not discuss Ukraine, we will not send any soldiers there and we will not financially support the war," the Czech prime minister said.

Crouzat told Czech journalists in Prague that Macron would like to discuss, for example, support for Ukraine and increasing defence spending in connection with commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The meeting will also address EU competitiveness ahead of the informal EU summit and the Czech government’s stance on the Board of Peace established by US President Donald Trump. France has rejected membership, while the Czech Republic has so far been rather reserved.

Babiš will visit a cancer institute near Paris this afternoon and will meet Macron at 20:30 at the French president’s residence.