Brussels – The Czech Republic is one of 13 countries criticized by the European Commission for not yet sending the final version of their national energy and climate plan to Brussels. Therefore, the Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Prague, as stated in the statement of the EU executive. The first phase is sending a letter with the relevant notice. The energy and climate plans are intended to inform the commission on how individual countries plan to contribute to the EU’s goals in the area of renewable resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“The European Commission has decided to begin infringement proceedings by sending a formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Slovakia for not submitting their final updated National Energy and Climate Plans,” stated the commission. Member states were supposed to send these plans by June 30th of this year, but the commission has only received 14 so far. Thirteen countries, including the Czech Republic, now have two months to respond to the EC.
The infringement proceedings have several phases. First, the European Commission sends a notice to the member state about the breach of law and later issues a reasoned opinion. Only if the member country does not adequately address the deficiencies, the commission may decide to refer the matter to the EU court. (November 14)
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