Prime Minister Babiš discussed European competitiveness and joint projects in energy and transport with German Chancellor Merz
On 10 March 2026, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, met with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, in Berlin. Among the main topics of the talks were the strengthening of the competitiveness of European industry, the completion of road and rail links between our countries, the strengthening of energy connections, and the current development of the situation in the Middle East. The leaders agreed on the creation of a Czech-German working group on energy "highways". In Berlin, Prime Minister Babiš also met with representatives of the Federation of German Industries and the Ost-Ausschuss association.
"Germany is the most important economic partner for us, which is why I am very pleased with our long-term excellent relations. There are over 5,000 German companies operating in the Czech Republic, employing 350,000 people, which is why the competitiveness of European industry and the change to ETS1 emission allowances were important topics, regarding which I have already written two letters to European leaders and spoke about at the last European Council,” stated Prime Minister Babiš after the meeting.
The leaders also discussed the possibility of further connecting our motorway networks near Cheb and the modernisation of the rail link from Plzeň to Munich. They also discussed joint energy projects that will expand the transmission capacity between the two countries. "The creation of a shared energy highway between Germany and the Czech Republic is a key priority for me. I asked Chancellor Merz to add roughly 30 kilometres of the energy grid on their territory. In return, we will build a new, stronger link with Bavaria. It will help both countries, and in our case, it could lower energy prices. We accordingly agreed to create a working group that will begin work on this project immediately. I also confirmed that the D6 motorway will be completed to the German border in 2031, and I requested the completion of a roughly 20 km section on the German side, which will connect our motorway to the German A93," added the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Babiš also spoke with Chancellor Merz about the current international situation, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and its impacts on our countries.
