Poland is holding the Presidency of the Visegrád Group for one year from 1 July 2024. In the framework of the Presidency, the Polish Sejm organized the informal meeting of the Committees on Economic Affairs on 13 November 2024 in Warsaw. The event was hosted by Marek Suski, Chair of the Committee on Energy, Climate and State Asset of the Polish Sejm. Deputy Chairs Janusz Kowalski and Krzysztof Mulawa, as well as Marek Wesoły, Committee member were also present from the Committee. The Hungarian National Assembly was represented by Erik Bánki, Chair of the Committee on Economics, the Polish Senate by Waldemar Pawlak, Chair of the National Economy and Innovativeness Committee, the Slovak National Council by Igor Šimko and Karol Galek, members of the Economic Affairs Committee. From the Czech Republic no member of national parliament attended the meeting, the country was represented by the Deputy of Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Poland.

The participants discussed two agenda items during the event. First, they exchanged their views on the methods of counteracting the energy crisis in Europe, during which the members of parliaments provided information on the steps taken by their countries in order to ensure energy security, diversification of sources and energy sovereignty. The delegations also stressed the importance of joint action on energy storage and of the research and development. Participants also discussed questions concerning nuclear energy, electric cars, hydrogen storage and the ensuring of affordable energy for the population. In his contribution, Erik Bánki underlined that securing energy sovereignty and making greater use of energy from renewable sources is also a priority for Hungary. In relation to energy procurement, he said that building and strengthening the broadest possible network of connections was also crucial for competitiveness.

This was followed by a discussion on the impact of floods on energy and heating security in the context of the floods having affected many European countries in September 2024. During the agenda item, Erik Bánki highlighted that the water preparedness in Hungary had contributed greatly to the prevention of flood damages. He said that water reservoirs can play an important role not only in flood protection but also in ensuring the water needs of agriculture. In connection to the energy, at the suggestion of Erik Bánki, participants also exchanged their views on the usefulness of the daylight saving time. Marek Suski concluded the meeting by stressing that EU decisions and legislations in the field of energy policy are not always feasible and adaptable to the different conditions and needs of the Member States.

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