INVITATION: Perceptions of EU in Central Europe amid COVID-related crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the biggest challenges the EU has ever faced, further exacerbated by the narratives of some member countries, which eagerly use the EU as a scapegoat for its own negligence and to advance their domestic political agenda. Moreover, with the vaccination campaigns facing delays, countries have begun seeking other sources of vaccines, providing an additional space to foreign influence of Russia and China, who already have a strong impact on the region of Central Europe and view the region as part of their geopolitical agenda.
Why are these countries open to the usage of Russian or Chinese vaccines? Does it show a lack of solidarity among the V4 members towards other Member States and their own citizens, who will face woes due to unapproved vaccinations? And how are the EU’s efforts to fight COVID-19 perceived in Central Europe? Can this crisis have a long-lasting effect on the reputation of the EU in Central Europe?
Key-note speech: Vladimír Bilčík, Member of European Parliament
Speakers:
• Vladislava Gubalova, Research Fellow, Globsec
• Vít Havelka, Research Fellow, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy
• Velina Tchakarova, Director, AIES - Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy
• Karolina Zbytniewska, Editor in Chief, EURACTIV.pl
• Nikolett Garai, Research Fellow, Külügyi és Külgazdasági Intézet / Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Chair: Žiga Faktor, Head of Brussels Office, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy
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