Photo: vlada.cz
On Tuesday, 5 March, Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Straka Academy. The leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in nuclear energy, defence cooperation and support for the Czech initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine from third countries. They also signed the Action Plan of the Strategic Partnership between the Czech Republic and France for 2024-2028.
"Today's meeting has confirmed that we agree on a number of key issues, be it the security of Europe, support for Ukraine, the further development of the EU and things that are essential for our citizens, the future and the good prospects of the European continent. Czech-French relations are strong and stronger than ever," said the Czech Prime Minister after the meeting Petr Fiala. The statesmen signed the fifth Action Plan of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which outlines priority areas of cooperation for the next four years - security and defence, migration, trade, agriculture, social affairs, science and research and many other areas.
Nuclear energy development is also a key area of cooperation. "Both the Czech Republic and France see nuclear energy as a key tool to ensure energy security and to have enough electricity available. It is the basis for our prosperity and competitiveness, as my vision Restart Czechia envisages. From this point of view, this year will be a turning point for the Czech Republic, as we will select the contractor for the completion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant. I am glad that the French company EDF has actively participated in the tender, is improving its offer and is showing its willingness to involve Czech companies in the project." added the Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The leaders agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation between the French and Czech nuclear industries, where a number of projects are already underway, for example to accelerate the development of small modular reactors.
An important topic of the meeting was also the Czech initiative to help Ukraine. "I am very pleased with France's intention to support our initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine from third countries. We are discussing the concrete form," stressed the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
The Czech Republic and France also cooperate on a number of defence projects. In the area of bilateral cooperation, a project for the acquisition of Caesar howitzers from the French company Nexter is currently underway. This is one of the most important armament projects of the Czech Army in the last decade. "We are interested in involving our defence industry in French supply chains. I am glad that France is taking ammunition from Vlasim from Sellier&Bellot. Such projects contribute to strengthening the overall defence capability of Europe," added the Prime Minister Fiala.
government.cz/gnews.cz-RoZ_07
https://www.ods.cz/clanek/25382-premier-fiala-jednal-s-prezidentem-francie-macronem-o-spolupraci-v-energetice-obrane-a-podpore-ukrajiny
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