Prime Minister Fiala after European Council Meeting: We Have Secured Further Steps to Save the Automotive Industry
The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, participated in the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, 20 March 2025. The main topic of the meeting was strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy. The Czech Republic succeeded in pushing through further steps to support the automotive industry in the conclusions of the meeting. European leaders called on the European Commission to immediately present a change to the system of fines for car manufacturers for insufficient sales of electric vehicles. They also agreed on the need to reduce administrative burden for companies and to remove barriers in the internal market. On the sidelines of the Council meeting, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic also participated in a meeting of like-minded country leaders to address the issue of illegal migration.
The main topic of the meeting was strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy. The Prime Minister emphasised that unrealistic ecological goals must not threaten our prosperity. "Therefore, it is necessary to reassess the Green Deal and the pace of decarbonisation so that it corresponds to current challenges. We have long pointed out the need to postpone and reconsider the emissions trading system for transport and heating, ETS 2," said the Prime Minister, adding that the Czech approach was supported by several other states and discussions will continue at the Council of Ministers for the Environment next week.
For the Czech Republic, it is crucial to maintain the competitiveness of the automotive industry, which generates almost 10% of Czech GDP. "We are active, our joint initiative with Italy and other countries is yielding results. Today we managed to secure that the European Commission will present a change to the system of fines for car manufacturers for insufficient sales of electric vehicles. Car manufacturers face billion-euro fines that will take away resources for innovation and competitiveness at a time when they need them most. And the second important thing – a reconsideration of the regulation on automobile emissions, which is a step towards abolishing the ban on combustion engines in 2035," added the Prime Minister. The Council also agreed on further reduction of bureaucracy and administrative burden for companies, as well as on removing barriers in the internal market, particularly in the area of services. More in closing meeting of the European Council.
Prior to the Council meeting, the Prime Minister also participated in a meeting of like-minded countries to address the issue of illegal migration, organised by the Dutch Prime Minister. "We continue in our efforts and we have concrete results. An example is the proposal for a new returns policy, which will be much more effective. Today we agreed that the next step must be to adjust the definition of safe countries to which we can return those who have no business being in Europe," said the Prime Minister.
The Council meeting was also attended by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via videoconference. The presidents and prime ministers of 26 countries reaffirmed their firm support for Ukraine, its independence and territorial integrity. They welcomed the American proposal for a ceasefire and Ukraine's willingness to accept it, and called on Russia to demonstrate genuine political will to end the war. The European Council also returned to the issue of strengthening defence, which is a key priority.
