Jüri Ratas discussed energy security and digitalisation with his Czech counterpart

NordenBladet —

The discussions at the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil today focused on strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of energy and digitalisation. Economic cooperation, defence cooperation, green transition and energy security were also spoken about.  

Ratas said that the Czech Republic was a close partner and a like-minded ally for Estonia both in the European Union and in NATO. President of the Riigikogu thanked the Czech Republic for their contribution to NATO Baltic air policing. He recalled that in 2019, the Czech forces were present in Ämari Air Base, and expressed hope that they would return soon. “The cooperation between our countries has been long, this December we will celebrate the centenary of our diplomatic relations,” Ratas pointed out.

Energy security, green transition and the measures to counter the sudden rise of energy prices were discussed in greater detail at the meeting. Ratas emphasised that the rise of gas and electricity prices must not prevent the achievement of the green targets. According to him, Estonia’s positions regarding the green package “Fit for 55” are being drawn up. “The transition should be fair and not take place at the expense of people,” Ratas underlined, and added that the synchronisation of the Baltic energy networks with those of West Europe was also under way.  

“Estonia has formulated the target of climate neutrality by 2050, and decided that production of energy and oil from oil shale must end by 2040 at the latest,” Ratas said. “This will be a time for transformation in order to find new energy sources and to solve the social-economic issues as well. Estonia sees solar and wind energy as alternatives, and is ready also to consider taking into use of nuclear energy, because this is a potential alternative to fossil fuels.” Ratas admitted that it was definitely necessary to hold a debate on the adoption of nuclear energy because the issues relating to financing and also the emotions of people needed to be resolved.  

Both speakers acknowledged that there was still unused potential in bilateral relations, and agreed that the topics relating to energy and digitalisation would be dealt with further in the framework of parliamentary cooperation. According to the President of the Czech Senate, the interest of their entrepreneurs in cooperation is great.

Chairman of the Estonia-Czech Republic Parliamentary Friendship Group, member of the European Union Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee Aivar Sõerd also participated in the meeting. He highlighted the close and excellent parliamentary relations between the two countries. Speaking of climate neutrality, Sõerd remarked that achieving these targets would provide opportunities for innovation, and it would also be possible to apply for support from the Recovery Plan for Europe.

This morning, President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil opened the Czech-Estonian business forum at the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In his opening address, Ratas called on focusing on bilateral economic cooperation and to look for wider possibilities for cooperation in digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Tomorrow, Miloš Vystrčil and the delegation accompanying him will visit e-Estonia Briefing Centre. After the visit to Estonia, the President of the Czech Senate will go on a visit to Lithuania.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia