HAVLÍČEK: EUROPE ENTERING NEW ENERGY CRISIS

PRAGUE, SEPTEMBER 18 /SRNA/ – Europe is entering a new energy crisis that will hit the countries of Central Europe the hardest, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček said.

"The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are causing a sharp increase in prices," Havlíček said at international energy security conference in Prague.

Havlíček linked the energy crisis to rising market prices for energy, the Czech news agency ČTK reported.

He noted that wholesale gas prices in Europe had reached their highest level since the end of 2022.

Havlíček said Europe had made mistakes and introduced certain changes too quickly.

"As a result, we have lost 20 years. It will take somewhat less time to improve the situation. We need to stabilize Europe by reducing dependence and creating new energy sources," Havlíček added.

He said the Czech Government was ready to set maximum electricity prices for producers and suppliers if energy market prices continue to rise.

"This measure will not affect the state budget," Havlíček noted.