In the Media

Czech public is afraid of the European currency and politicians listen to their voters. Businesses are calling for the euro the most. Czech crown is disadvantageous for businesses, they lose millions every year due to the constant conversion between the currencies and expensive loans in crowns. But now they have a strong ally. Czech president Petr Pavel has called for accepting euro, as we once pledged to do, on the anniversary of the Czech accession to the EU. But will it be enough? What is the mood in society? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for Czech TV's investigative programme 168 hodin.

This year, the Czech Republic celebrates 20 years since its accession to the European Union. Klára Votavová, a researcher from EUROPEUM Institute, points out in the political podcast "Chyba systému" by Czech Radio, that the accession wasn't as carefully considered as it might seem. And the idea of returning to Europe may have been overly optimistic. This is now reflected in the attitudes of Czechs towards the EU.

There have been opinions that call for changes of the EU including defense cooperation or foreign policy. The topic that should stay important even after the EU elections is the support of Ukraine. Do the EU elections have the potential to change the intensity of the EU's support of Ukraine? Vít Havelka, a senior researcher at EUROPEUM Institute answered for the main evening broadcast of TV Nova.

The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposes the creation of a new position: Commissioner for Defense in the future Commission. Is this proposal feasible? When could this position be established? And who would fill it? How would enhanced EU defense operate alongside NATO was addressed by Vít Havelka, Senior Researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, in a commentary for the Slovak television RTVS.

For 20 years, the Czechs have benefited billions of euros from EU membership, yet they are more reticent about the Union than others. Where does this opposition come from? How do the Czechs see the EU and their role in it? Comments Vít Havelka, Senior Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute for the Finnish public radio and TV.

The migration pact recently approved by the European Parliament brings a number of effective steps to prevent illegal migration, but it is certainly not a perfect anti-immigration tool, said Jaroslav Bžoch, candidate for MEP and vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the European Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the functioning of the EU Migration Pact and the opinion of the Czechs on this pact for Ekonomický deník.

Slovakia joined the European Union 20 years ago in its biggest enlargement to date. Among the main benefits of this move is an increase in the economy, up to 80%. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, described the future direction of the Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the Czech Republic. She met with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The visit was part of the campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on Ursula von der Leyen's arrival in the Czech Republic.

One of the most criticised politicises, that was agreed on in Brussels in this term. The critics argue that it decreases the competitiveness of Europe, while environmentalists think it should be stricter. Is it possible to cancel Green Deal? Or at least to modify it? For the main evening broadcast Televizní noviny on TV Nova, Kateřina Davidová, a researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.

In 2004, a total of ten new countries joined the European Union, the largest enlargement in terms of population and number of countries. EU accession has helped the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in terms of economic growth and political stabilisation. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute and Head of the Brussels Office, commented on this topic.

On the 1st of May, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union. How did the process of approval and accession to the EU proceed at the beginning of this century? What is the attitude of Czechs towards the EU? What was the original idea of the European community? The Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, answered these questions for TN Live.

Politicians and companies should start putting more emphasis on prevention and education about active and healthy lifestyles, because the health of the population has a major impact on the competitiveness of companies and the national economy. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.