The Visegrád Group, or V4, brings together Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.[1]
Talks on energy prices in Bratislava
The energy ministers of the V4 countries met in Bratislava on 19 October 2026 with Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.[1] Slovak Minister of Economy Denisa Saková said after the talks that the V4 countries are asking the European Union for a temporary exemption that would allow them to use EU funds to support industry while energy prices are high. According to Saková, prices in Europe are several times higher than in the United States or Asia.[1]
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček named cohesion funds or the Modernisation Fund as a possible source of support. In his words, Czechia is prepared, if electricity prices rise, to set a maximum price for producers, add a cap for traders and possibly reduce the regulated component of the price further. Havlíček said that if the situation on the exchanges does not change, high market prices could reach consumers and firms next year.[1]
Commissioner Jørgensen said that the European Union must reduce its dependence on the global energy market and that it is better prepared for this than when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka pointed to the need to safeguard the competitiveness of European industry.[1]
Chronology
- — After talks between the V4 countries and Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen in Bratislava, Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček said that, should energy prices rise, Czechia is ready to introduce a maximum electricity price for producers and to add a cap for traders. ČTK / České noviny
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 19 October 2026