Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, held a meeting with Jozef Síkela, the Czech Republic’s Minister of Industry and Trade, exploring ways to enhance global energy security and foster a transition towards a net-zero future.
The discussions were centered around bolstering cooperation between Europe, the Czech Republic, and Canada to promote a sustainable energy policy, fortify critical mineral supply chains, and further the fight against climate change through clean technology and energy. An emphasis was placed on shared interests, specifically in the fields of hydrogen, nuclear energy, and critical minerals.
Both ministers acknowledged their countries’ longstanding friendship and partnership, expressing their intent to reinforce Czech-Canadian relations while focusing on enhancing energy security and hastening the global energy transition. They concurred on a number of shared interests:
A crucial emphasis was placed on hydrogen, particularly on the recognition of its vital role in catering to future energy needs, with a special focus on hydrogen produced from renewable resources. The ministers also discussed the potential for importing and exporting hydrogen, in line with the Canadian industry’s plans to export hydrogen and the Czech Republic’s plans to rely on low-carbon sources like hydrogen to meet its energy demands.
The conversation also encompassed critical minerals and their supply chain, along with clean technologies aimed at making mining more sustainable. Additionally, nuclear energy was highlighted as a safe, reliable, non-emitting energy source, and the two ministers agreed on cooperating in the area of nuclear technologies.
“By advancing the development of clean energy supply chains — including hydrogen and critical minerals — Canada, the Czech Republic and other like-minded countries are reinforcing energy security, advancing climate action and spurring economic opportunity and the creation of sustainable jobs. It was a pleasure to welcome my counterpart Minister Síkela to Canada. Canada will always be a reliable, predictable and secure supplier of clean energy to our European partners.” The Honourable Jonathan WilkinsonMinister of Natural Resources.
“In 2022, Europe was hit with the largest energy crisis in modern history, which we were able to overcome with the support of our friends and allies. We are looking to increase the resilience of our energy sector, also through building tighter relationships with like-minded countries, such as Canada. We had a great discussion today, and I am certain that cooperation in the field of hydrogen is one of the most promising areas to deliver mutual benefits for our countries. By working together on the green transition and increasing our energy security, we will make our industries more resilient and consequently speed up decarbonization efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.” Jozef Síkela Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.
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