Mr Deputy Speaker, Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me briefly add the perspective of foreign policy on today’s topic.

On Tuesday, 4^th of March this year. Do you know what happened on that day?

From that day, not a single drop of Russian crude has entered Czechia. This was made possible by the TAL Plus expansion. It now delivers up to 8 million tons of crude each year from the Italian port of Trieste, through Germany, into Czechia. The project was funded by our state operator MERO.

No foreign financing. No debt.

It was a strategic decision by our government. It made us stronger. It means no more blackmail.

We applied the same approach to gas. At the turn of 2022 and 2023, we ended our 98 percent dependence on Russian gas. Today, our reliance is near zero. This was not an easy decision. But it was necessary.
It showed that with political will, diversification is possible. It has improved our energy security. And made our position within NATO’s eastern flank stronger.

We also diversified nuclear fuel. Three months ago, Westinghouse made the first delivery of fuel to Temelín and Dukovany.

The fuel is produced in Sweden. It allows longer use and it fits well into our reactors. Both nuclear plants now hold strategic reserves.

And we didn’t stop there. We signed a seven-year contract with Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer. It will supply natural uranium for our reactors.

This covers around one third of Temelín’s fuel needs. It strengthens our independence. It ensures a safe future for our nuclear sector.

And this is bigger than Czechia. No country can do this alone. Energy transformation must be a European job. It requires solidarity, interconnections, and investment.

It requires long-term vision. And long-term courage.

This is why initiatives like REPowerEU matter. This is why we invest in new technologies. Green hydrogen. Smart grids. Digital systems.
These are not abstract plans. They are the base of a secure and sustainable energy system.

Czech–Italian cooperation is a key part of this story. Italy is a gateway for secure flows. Italy has also made significant progress in diversifying energy sources and improving efficiency.

Our cooperation grows in nanotechnology, aerospace, and sustainable infrastructure. Together, we must explore new directions. In renewables, in nuclear research, in industrial change.

Energy security comes first. Without security, there is no prosperity. If we stay united and forward-looking, Europe will be safer, greener, and stronger. I wish you a successful conference and inspiring discussions.

Thank you. Grazie.