Czech Leader Says Shale Mining Not On the Agenda

The Czech Republic will continue its policy of support for diverse energy including nuclear, but has no plans to follow other European countries in developing shale gas, the country's prime minister has said.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas said shale mining was not on the agenda for his country, according to local agencies.

He was speaking after this week's European Council meeting in Brussels, which split its focus between taxation and energy.

Necas stressed that the adoption of relevant legislation was a precondition of shale gas prospecting and mining.

The Czech leader said local authorities would not be opposed on policy in this respect. To date, the Czech Republic has had moratorium on shale gas exploration.

Regarding the existing programme for nuclear energy, he said his government continues to support the Temelin nuclear power plant in southern Bohemia, despite criticism of its economic prospects.