Ahead of the European Council meeting, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš warned EU leaders that current energy policy and regulatory pressure could fundamentally threaten the availability of gas and oil. In his letter, he calls for a review of emission rules, postponement of some measures and strengthening energy security.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš addressed the leaders of the European Union, President Ursua von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel, with a lengthy letter in which he warns of the growing risks associated with energy prices and the setting of European regulation.

In its communication, the Commission stresses that energy security is no longer just a strategic issue, but a direct economic factor that affects the competitiveness of the EU as a whole. It points out that in 2025, the EU consumed around 330 billion m³ of natural gas, with only around ten per cent of its own production. Europe has to import the rest, with Norway and the United States playing a key role, providing around 60 % of imports.

According to Babiš, although the market is relatively stable at the moment, it is extremely sensitive to geopolitical and regulatory changes. Current developments, particularly in the Middle East, show how quickly the balance can be upset, he said.

The Prime Minister is particularly critical of the European regulation on methane emissions, which significantly tightens the conditions for extraction, transport and import of gas from 2024. He points out that the new rules impose strict limits on leaks, prohibit routine venting and flaring of methane and are gradually being extended to importers. From 2027, new contracts are to comply with strict rules on monitoring emissions throughout the supply chain.

According to industry modelling, up to 41-43 % of current EU gas imports could be formally non-compliant under these conditions. Babiš warns that this is not a hypothetical risk, but a factor that is already affecting investment and energy prices.

In this context, it calls on the European Union to act quickly and pragmatically. It proposes to reconsider the timing of the introduction of methane rules, to postpone the CSDDD and to adjust the taxonomy so that natural gas remains a recognised transition resource until at least 2045.

At the same time, it calls for the creation of a clear legal framework to allow Member States to conclude long-term gas supply contracts outside the EU, ensuring legal certainty, risk sharing between the state and the private sector and the use of instruments such as contracts for difference. Without these steps, he said, Europe risks losing bargaining power and becoming a mere „price taker“ in the global market.

The letter also addresses the oil sector. According to the letter, the European Union consumes approximately 520 million tonnes of oil a year, with only a negligible proportion of its own production. The EU therefore imports more than 99 % of oil, with the main suppliers again being the United States, Norway and Kazakhstan.

According to Babiš, the loss of refining capacity is also a major problem. The European Union has lost more than 40 % of its capacity over the last fifteen years, which increases dependence on imports of finished fuels and sensitivity to geopolitical shocks. Europe is thus gradually moving from the role of producer to that of distributor.

The Prime Minister is therefore calling for an open debate on the minimum refining capacity needed, mitigating the impact of regulations on the sector and supporting strategic energy infrastructure.

The letter concludes by pointing out that the accumulation of regulatory measures is beginning to directly affect energy prices and availability. If the European Union wants to maintain industrial competitiveness and social stability, it must act quickly, in a coordinated manner and with an eye to economic reality.

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