On Thursday, 17 October 2024, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy in cooperation with the Institute for Circular Economy INCIEN organized a conference entitled Circularity in the Czech Automotive Industry: opportunities and obstacles, in which the Czech Battery Cluster was a partner. The conference was attended by representatives of the Czech automotive industry, state administration and research organizations. The press release from the conference and presentations of the organizations can be found in the text below.

The extension of the emissions trading system for local heating and road transport, the so-called ETS2, is due to come into effect in 2027. ETS2 now needs to be adopted into Czech legislation under the Emissions Trading Act. In this factsheet you will find basic facts and answers to questions that the Czech public often asks. Please also see the attached materials from the organisations that contributed to the factsheet.

Together with the Association for International Affairs and EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, the Centre for an Informed Society has prepared a series of Resilient Europe events from 8 to 10 October 2024. This was a forum aimed at strengthening strategic communication and countering disinformation. It aimed to share best practices from different countries and learn from their successes and mistakes in strengthening democratic principles, countering authoritarianism and populism, and uniting society against divisive influences.

Despite the fact that women make up half of the population, they are still not equally represented in the key institutions of the European Union, even in leadership positions. The European Parliament and the European Commission are taking a number of steps to improve gender equality, both internally and towards the public. Adéla Gajdošíková writes in her blog what the current representation in these institutions looks like and what concrete measures they are taking.

CEE allies are key to building the capabilities-based, European Pillar NATO needs to enact genuine burden shifting and secure the alliance’s future. Dr Benjamin Tallis shows how Czechia can build on recent progress in defense procurement and increase its influence by prioritising the six elements Euro-NATO needs: core national war-fighting capabilities, logistics, military mobility, strategic enablers, air defence and long-range strategic strike.

Despite the historical support of EU enlargement policy by the Visegrad Four (V4), these Central European states are now faced with the challenge of reconciling their stances with the new realities of the process. As Ukraine and Moldova opened their accession negotiations, the EU seems to be torn on the questions associated with the future enlargement(s) - institutional reforms and changes within the EU budget. Transitioning from economic beneficiaries to potential contributors, the V4 states must evaluate the potential political and economic impacts of new members on both the EU and their domestic levels. Writes and proposes recommendations Vladislava Gubalova from GLOBSEC.

The second day of the Prague European Summit 2024 conference at the Czernin Palace was opened with a speech by Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák. He thinks of the enlargement of the European Union as crucial. "We have to realize that the enlargement of the EU, our defense and security and the current Central European position are interconnected," he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský and Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela delivered speeches at the 10th anniversary of the Prague European Summit. Both responded to the ever-changing challenges facing Europe and Russia's expanding aggression, while Minister Síkela stressed the need of economical transformation.

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová was the guest of honour at the 10th anniversary Prague European Summit. At the Czernin Palace, she received the traditional Vision for Europe Award from the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský.

EUROPEUM Institute organized a survey among selected experts and stakeholders in European politics to evaluate the performance of current Czech MEPs. The performance of MEPs is difficult to evaluate because there is no completely objective set of criteria that would clearly show this. Therefore, EUROPEUM approached diplomats, officials, academics and other experts from the EU policy environment to compile its own ranking.

Tunisia has become the main exit point for asylum seekers and refugees, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU, faced with a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa, has bolstered its cooperation with Tunisia, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Kais Saied. However, questions arise over the EU's handling of human rights abuses in Tunisia, reminiscent of past agreements with Turkey. Nargiz Mustafazade, a trainee in the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, writes about this topic in her blog.

The European Union has passed major legislation to try and secure media freedom and independence in recent years. However, for the state of media pluralism in certain Member States, these efforts have come too late. In the Hungarian context, a pro-ruling party media ecosystem stands well-entrenched in the private and public media sector. Writes our researcher, Henry Barrett, a Fulbright-Schuman Grantee.