Czech Republic and France identified areas of common interest

The ministers of State for European Affairs of the Czech Republic and of France made a joint statement on EU priorities on 28th November. Both countries agreed to work closely ahead of the key European discussions and in view of the French and Czech Presidencies of the Council of the European Union in 2022. The two ministers therefore agreed to hold closer talks to prepare for the European discussions on the European Green Deal and the Just Transition Fund.

They highlighted the need to facilitate the transition by ensuring adequate financial resources through EU policies – including dedicated instruments that are flexible and easy to use – as well as public and private investments and recalled that nuclear energy, alongside renewable energy, must play a role in achieving low-emission energy mixes. Moreover, the Czech Republic and France encourage the Commission to propose a carbon inclusion mechanism at the borders of the European Union to help combat carbon leakage, in a manner consistent with WTO rules and accompanied by a thorough impact assessment. Regarding the next Multiannual Financial Framework, they reject the opposition between traditional policies and new priorities.

A strong, sovereign, safe and prosperous Europe requires adequate level of financing for the new challenges as well as existing Treaty-based policies with clear European added value, specifically the Cohesion Policy, and the Common Agricultural Policy whose budget must be kept at the current EU-27 level. Both countries support the abolition of all rebates. They stress that the Single Market is one of the greatest assets of the EU and they are committed to continue to deepen and strengthen it. They also highlight that Europe needs an integrated and future-proofed approach for the new industrial policy. France and the Czech Republic also restated that they will continue to actively support efforts for reaching a global solution to digital taxation at the OECD level. They also welcomed the success of the defence partnership in both its capability and operational aspects and agreed on the need for an appropriate and sustainable European response to the migratory challenges.