We will develop cooperation with strategic partners

Caspian Energy (CE):  Mr. Sikela, how does the energy market situation affect the main indicators of the Czech economy? 

Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic:  First of all, we have to say that calling the current situation an energy market situation is a big euphemism. We are in energy war with Russia, which is doing its utmost to harm us by misusing energy as a weapon. The effects of this war are clearly visible. The rapid rise in the prices of oil, gas, electricity together with other commodities on world markets significantly drives prices of domestic producers up, which is reflected in consumer prices. So, there is a clear connection to the inflation rate, which reached 16 % in May in the Czech Republic.