Skip to content
Media
Valtioneuvoston kanslia frontpage

Prime Ministers Rinne and Babiš discussed energy and climate issues

Government Communications Department
Publication date 30.9.2019 11.25
Press release 485

Climate and energy issues are high on the EU’s agenda, and they were also the main topics when Prime Minister Antti Rinne met the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš in Prague on 30 September. The two Prime Ministers also discussed economic relations between the two countries and how these could be further improved, development of the EU's internal market, and other topical EU issues.

“The aim for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU is that the EU summit in December will agree on the target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The solutions we are looking for include energy policies that all EU countries can accept. The transition from coal and other fossil fuels to sustainable forms of energy is a challenge for all of us,” Prime Minister Rinne said after the meeting with Prime Minister Babiš.

“We already have good collaboration with the Czech Republic in the nuclear energy sector. We noted that the circular economy could offer good opportunities for cooperation that would also contribute to the efforts to combat climate change.”

The Prime Ministers stressed the need to strengthen the EU’s internal market and secure smooth and rule-based functioning of world trade. They discussed several items on the agenda of the October European Council, including the next multiannual financial framework, EU enlargement and Brexit. Other topical EU issues raised during the meeting were migration and the rule of law.

“Prime Minister Babiš also wanted to hear about our arrangements for the Presidency, as the Czech Republic will take up the task in summer 2022. It will be the second time that the Czech Republic holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU”, Prime Minister Rinne said.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Pilvi-Elina Kupias, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 995, Dimitri Qvintus, Special Adviser (Media Relations), tel. +358 50 574 0956 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU and International Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office