EUU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 153: Erklæring fra Økonomiudvalgene fra Visegradlandene

Europaudvalget 2021-22
EUU Alm.del Bilag 153
Offentligt

Hungarian National Assembly

Committee on Economics

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEES ON ECONOMICS OF THE V4

PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBERS

on the topics of hydrogen-based economy, energy security, reduction of

energy costs, the tax system and the reduction of contributions on wages

in light of competitiveness

Budapest, 10 December 2021

As the committees of the V4 parliamentary chambers responsible for the topics

discussed,

I. In relation to hydrogen-based economy, energy security and reducing

and sustaining low energy costs, we jointly

(1)

SUPPORT the development of regional cooperation in building a hydrogen

ecosystem, creating energy security, reducing energy costs and keeping energy

prices affordable;

RECOGNISE the potential role of hydrogen in achieving climate neutrality by

2050, and we are READY TO COOPERATE in creating a hydrogen ecosystem that

is innovative, competitive and has a high potential for new green jobs;

welcome the legislation on strengthening the development of hydrogen

infrastructure, and at the same time, we CONSIDER IT IMPORTANT that the

principle of technology neutrality is fully respected, and hydrogen produced by

any low-carbon technology is supported;

consider it important that national specificities, including the right of Member

States to define their own energy mix as laid down in the Treaty, are duly taken

into account, therefore we STAND for maintaining the widest possible flexibility

with a view to national measures, in line with the principle of subsidiarity;

with regard to the so-called EU taxonomy rules defining a list of environmentally

sustainable activities, we UNDERLINE the fundamental importance of nuclear

energy and natural gas, acknowledging that they should also be included in the

list of the Taxonomy Regulation;

while continuing to attach top priority to energy security, we STRIVE for both

decarbonisation and increased security of energy supply simultaneously;

ACKNOWLEDGE the role of energy efficiency measures not only in reducing

greenhouse gas emissions, but also in mitigating energy costs for consumers and

businesses, being one of the most important issues;

SUPPORT joint thinking and action, as we cannot act in isolation, and we MUST

WORK TOGETHER to build a secure and sustainable economy in the region and

in Europe as well.

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

EUU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 153: Erklæring fra Økonomiudvalgene fra Visegradlandene

(9)

CALL ON the European Commission to address the issue of the high price of

emission allowances as soon as possible and to make use of the possibilities

offered by the EU ETS Directive (2003/87/EC), for example, in its Article 29a.

We PROPOSE that consideration be given to the modification or even the

suspension of the Emissions Trading System in EU Member States with third

parties until the problem related to market trading in CO2 emission allowances,

which causes the drastic increase in their prices, is resolved.

II. In relation to the tax system and the reduction of contributions on

wages in light of competitiveness, we jointly

(10)

POINT OUT that establishing efficient, competitive and family-friendly taxation

can be a goal for all countries concerned;

(11)

AGREE that an environment of lower taxes and contributions encourages

investments, makes companies more competitive, and allows for wage increases;

(12)

STRESS that reducing the burden on employers is also crucial in terms of the

competitiveness of countries;

(13)

STATE that the creation of adequate fiscal space is essential for efficiency and tax

cuts;

(14)

EMPHASISE that forward-looking and ambitious economy whitening measures

are key to creating fiscal space; and

(15)

CALL ATTENTION to the fact that active consultation with social partners

concerned is also of paramount importance to achieve the objectives.

Peter Kremsk�½

Chair of the Economic Affairs

Committee of the National Council of

the Slovak Republic

Marek Suski

Chair of the Committee on Energy,

Climate and State Assets of the Sejm of

the Republic of Poland

Erik Bánki

Chair of the Committee on Economics

of the Hungarian National Assembly

Hana �½áková

Chair of the Sub-Committee on Energy

and Transport of the Committee on

National Economy, Agriculture and

Transport of the Senate of the Czech

Republic

Maria Koc

Chair of the National Economy and

Innovativeness Committee of the Senate

of the Republic of Poland

Krzysztof Tchórzewski

Chair of the Committee on Economy

and Development of the Sejm of the

Republic of Poland