Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that his country will eliminate its dependence on Russian oil within the next few months.
He made this statement during the SH!FTS international investment conference in Prague. The head of the Czech government emphasized that the Czech Republic needs to become a significantly stronger state in terms of energy, including control over key raw materials.
Among other measures, he mentioned the strengthening of the state's role in the energy sector. As an example, Fiala cited the Czech government's stake in liquefied natural gas terminals and preparations for the construction of new nuclear reactors, both conventional and small modular ones.
"Through all these steps, we are building true energy sovereignty. This is absolutely necessary in our time," he said.
When discussing energy resources from Russia, the Czech Prime Minister reminded that his government took measures last year to eliminate its dependence on Russian raw materials, including gas, and will continue to do so. Russian oil reaches the Czech Republic through two routes: the "Druzhba" oil pipeline from Russia through Ukraine and Slovakia, and the IKL oil pipeline, which is connected near Ingolstadt, Germany, to the TAL pipeline from Trieste, Italy.
A ban on the import of Russian oil has been in place in the European Union since last year. However, the Czech Republic has negotiated an exemption from sanctions for the import of Russian oil, which is sold at a discount compared to Brent crude oil.
In the first half of this year, the share of oil imported by the Czech Republic through the Russian "Druzhba" oil pipeline was approximately 65%, compared to 56% in the previous year.
