PM Fiala: Czech EU presidency to focus on energy security

Europe's energy security will be one of the crucial themes of the forthcoming Czech EU presidency, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Thursday. The Czech Republic is due to take over the EU presidency from France in July.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany will assist the Czech Republic in replacing the military equipment provided to Ukraine. According to Mr Scholz, the Czech army will receive Western technology in return for handing over Warsaw Pact-era weapons to Ukraine.

Germany will also discuss with Czechia the possibility of jointly using the LNG terminals that Germany plans to build. For the Czech Republic, access to the terminal would ensure independence from Russian gas.