Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš used their meeting in Prague on Monday to push for a joint European approach on carbon rules ahead of the October 15-16 EU Council summit.

The two leaders agreed to seek adjustments to the EU's emissions trading system and its market stability reserve, a suspension of methane regulations, and a postponement of the planned ETS2 scheme covering buildings and road transport. Both countries argue that current timelines risk hurting industry and households.

The two sides also exchanged a 2026-2030 Plan of Action covering trade, energy and defence cooperation, and announced a Year of Italian-Czech Culture for 2027 and 2028.

On broader geopolitics, Meloni said Europe's relationship with the United States is 'stronger when united and weaker when divided', signalling her government's line on transatlantic ties. She also commented on the Regeni case during her Prague press briefing.

The Prague meeting adds momentum to a growing bloc of member states seeking to slow or reshape the EU's green agenda, setting up a contentious debate at the October summit where the future of Europe's climate targets will be on the table.