Pellegrini and Vystrcil Concur on Need for Bilateral Energy Cooperation

Prague/Bratislava, November 30 (TASR-correspondent) - The Czech Republic and Slovakia could cooperate in the field of energy within the reserve capacities sharing project, which might bring more stable and lower energy prices, Czech Senate Chair Milos Vystrcil and Slovak Parliamentary Chair Peter Pellegrini (Voice-SD) concurred during their meeting in Prague on Thursday. Debate on special legislation in this area could begin in the two countries' parliaments next year. Pellegrini praised Vystrcil for intensively speaking about cooperation in the field of energy. "He is also coming up with the concept of saving in the field of energy distribution, as well as the project of a potential future form of sharing reserve capacities to balance individual networks in Slovakia and in the Czech Republic," Pellegrini told a news conference following his meeting with Vystrcil. Fees might be reduced and lower and more stable energy prices might be achieved in this way. Pellegrini also spoke with Vystrcil about the need to extend the exemption for oil products that Slovnaft refiner still produces partly from Russian oil. "If this exception isn't granted, oil product and fuel supplies might be destabilised not only in the Czech Republic, but also in the whole region," stated Pellegrini, adding that Slovnaft has already invested in changing its technology to process a different type of oil, but it still needs some tine to complete the transition. Further support for Ukraine was also on the agenda of the two politicians' talks. Pellegrini confirmed that Slovakia has already exhausted the possibilities of donating weaponry systems to Ukraine. According to him, Vystrčil accepted "with pleasure the news" that Slovakia is ready to support Ukraine in all other ways. Vystrcil said that the long-term concept of supporting Ukraine applies in the Czech Republic. The Czech Senate chief praised Pellegrini for paying his first foreign visit in the post to Prague. He confirmed that the two countries have the same interests in most topics. "We're ready to mutually cooperate as parliaments," he added. The two officials also touched the issue of the Visegrad Four (V4-Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary) and its functioning. Pellegrini invited the Senate chair for the summit of parliament leaders due to take place in Bratislava next spring. ko/mcs