In the run-up to next week's European Council summit, at which competitiveness will be one of the main topics, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) addressed a video conference of the Friends of Competitiveness group on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by 19 European leaders.
"The competitiveness of European industry is inextricably linked to energy prices," emphasised Fico, once again drawing particular attention to high electricity prices and reiterating Slovakia's proposal to decouple the price of electricity from that of gas.
For Slovakia, as an industrial country with an open economy, competitiveness is key to further economic development, the preservation of jobs, and the social and living standards of its people, said Fico.
Emissions allowance prices also place a significant burden on European industry. The premier stated that Slovakia, together with the other V4 (Visegrad Four) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland), also wants to postpone the introduction of the ETS2 system until after 2030. Its introduction would have a direct impact not only on industry but also on households - primarily via the prices of fuel, energy and housing.
High fuel prices and insufficient refining capacity in Europe were also key topics of discussion. The leaders highlighted the need to strengthen European capacity and energy security so that high costs don't further erode the competitiveness of the European economy.
Source: TASR
