Fischer: energy security as fundamental as defence

Interim Prime Minister Jan Fischer said Tuesday that energy security is as fundamental a part of Czech foreign policy as the country’s defensive capability. Speaking at the 10th Czech Energy Conference, Mr Fischer pointed out that while the country had an alliance to rely on for defence, it had nothing of the sort where energy issues are concerned. He said it was in the country’s best interests to participate in creating a joint European energy policy and thus protect against extortion and a “fatal stoppage of supplies”. Mr Fischer also warned politicians that energy planning was not an issue for the next election period, but for the next 50 years.