European Commission spokesperson confirms technical-level talks on Czech Dukovany tender

Brussels, 22 May (CTK) - A European Commission spokesperson today confirmed that talks are taking place at technical level between representatives of the Czech Republic and the Commission in connection with the Dukovany tender. She was unable to estimate how long they would last. On Tuesday, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček and European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné agreed to speed up the launch of expert consultations to clarify the legal and technical conditions for the planned final agreement on the nuclear tender to complete the Dukovany plant.

Lea Zuberová, a spokesperson for the EU executive, described the talks between Vlček and Séjourné as constructive. “Now the work is, let’s say, returning to the technical level. Talks are under way, and it is really difficult to predict a timeframe or any outcome at this point,” Zuberová told Czech journalists.

South Korea’s KHNP won the tender to build the units, but the Regional Court in Brno blocked the signing of the construction agreement through an interim injunction. French company EDF, which lost the tender, requested the interim measure; its objections to the tender were subsequently rejected by the Czech antitrust authority. EDF has also asked the European Commission to review the case.

The EU executive has already launched a preliminary review to assess whether potential financial contributions received by the Korean company constitute foreign subsidies and, if so, whether such support distorts the internal market. The review concerns compliance with the 2022 Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), which addresses distortions of the internal market. A letter Séjourné sent to Minister Vlček also refers to the possible launch of an in-depth investigation into the entire case.

As recently as last week, CTK sources suggested that the European Commission could launch an in-depth investigation into the situation in the coming days. That has not happened so far. Last Friday, Prime Minister Petr Fiala discussed Dukovany with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On Tuesday this week, President Petr Pavel also raised the issue at a meeting with the head of the EU executive. According to Pavel, von der Leyen pledged to address the situation surrounding the tender to build new nuclear units at Dukovany swiftly and transparently.

According to President Pavel, the European Commission should not take any interim measures until the expert and political talks mentioned by Vlček and Séjourné have taken place. It is unclear whether this also means a delay in the possible launch of an in-depth investigation. “Just to clarify, we have never announced an in-depth investigation, so technically it cannot be postponed. In general, I can say that an in-depth investigation under the FSR can be launched, but I repeat that we have nothing to add at this point regarding this specific case,” the Commission spokesperson said in response to a question from CTK.