BRATISLAVA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Visegrad Four (V4) countries have called for greater flexibility in using European Union (EU) funds to support industry amid high energy prices, while urging the bloc to put nuclear energy on an equal footing with renewable energy sources in its policy frameworks.
According to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia outlined the priorities in a joint declaration signed on Monday at a meeting of V4 energy ministers and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen.
Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said the four countries want to explore the use of EU Cohesion Policy funds to help address high energy prices, while seeking greater flexibility in using the Modernisation Fund. Such measures would be temporary, she said.
"No V4 country wants to place a long-term burden on its national budget, which is why we'd like to make use of European Commission resources to support industry where necessary," Sakova said.
The ministers also want the European Commission to take both operating and investment costs into account when designing future funding programs aimed at strengthening the bloc's industrial competitiveness.
Sakova said support for industrial transformation should not be limited to investment in new technologies and production processes, but should also cover the costs of keeping businesses operating.
Energy security was another key topic at the meeting, particularly against the backdrop of efforts to stop Russian gas imports. Sakova said the four countries want nuclear energy to be treated equally with renewable energy sources in EU policy frameworks, which would help improve financing opportunities for the construction of new nuclear reactors.
"Every country should choose its own energy mix according to its specific circumstances: whether that be nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal or hydropower," she said. ■