In the Media

EUROPEUM Institute analyst Alexandr Lagazzi spoke in the program Studia ČT24 about the summit between the European Union and China, which dealt with mutual future relations and economic ties. The conflict in Ukraine was the main topic of discussion on the EU side. It was China's hesitant stance and reaction to economic sanctions against Russia that was addressed, as well as China's rejection of NATO.

Our researcher Kateřina Davidová wrote a commentary for Euractiv.cz on climate change and its impacts.

Réka Sulyok from the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM described for news server E15.cz the current political developments in Hungary in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The article discusses in more detail the position Hungary could potentially find itself in after the re-election of the current prime minister Viktor Orbán or, on the contrary, the consequences of a possible victory of the opposition candidate Péter Márki-Zay.

Žiga Faktor, a research fellow from our Institute and the head of our Brussels office, together with Irena Jenčová from the Euractiv portal, spoke in a Radio Slovakia discussion about sanctions against Russia, the unacceptable demands of the Kremlin, and the search for a way for Europe to replace Russian gas and oil. Will economic pressure force Moscow to come to the negotiating table and declare a ceasefire in Ukraine? Would not greater diplomatic engagement by the United States or China help?

Christian Kvorning Lassen, Deputy Director and Head of Research at our Institute, together with other experts, spoke to the online news server E15.cz and described possible scenarios of how the war in Ukraine could end. The article thus describes five possible scenarios - both the more optimistic ones for Ukraine and the less favourable ones.

Our researcher Michal Hrubý provided a commentary to the Reseach institute for labour and socisl affairs (VÚPSV) on the Green Deal. He outlined the important foundations on which the agreement is based and noted how deepening knowledge will have a positive impact on society as well as on the fight against climate change.

The European Union's enlargement policy experienced a shock at the end of February when Russia-attacked Ukraine applied for EU membership. In the following days, Georgia and Moldova - other Eastern European countries with European aspirations and under imminent threat from Moscow - did the same without hesitation. Ukraine's application in particular was met with a very positive reaction from the EU. Our researcher Jana Juzová writes for INFO.cz.

Our researcher Michal Hrubý attended the conference on Decarbonisation of Automotive Transport where he took part in the debate. We are on the threshold of a decision about the future of Czech car transport. Demand for electromobility is growing exponentially globally, as is the development of battery technology. In the future, these could become value-added products that will kick-start our economy and return the Czech Republic to a leading position in the investment environment. According to representatives of the European Parliament, the state administration, the automotive industry and independent experts on electromobility, it is now important for the Czech Republic to leave the scepticism of change behind and start educating and preparing for the decarbonisation of automotive transport. Not only for the environmental impact, but especially for the future competitiveness of the sector. This was stated in a debate at the Decarbonisation of Automotive Transport conference organised by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy on Tuesday 1 March.

Our researcher Jana Juzová spoke on Český Rozhlas Plus about Ukraine's application to the European Union, which was submitted last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the application, which was subsequently supported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the entire eastern wing of the Union. Is Ukraine's starting position problematic? How likely is it that candidate status will be granted? And which members are traditionally against the enlargement of the Union?

Our researcher Jana Juzová commented for Euractiv on how Serbia's ambiguous position is affecting its EU accession process. Serbia is one of the few European countries, that has refused to join the anti-Russian sanctions, even though it has supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and promised to help refugees. The role taken by this Western Balkan country is not surprising, as it has been teetering between the EU and Russia for the last decade. In the accession process, according to our researcher, Serbia's current position towards Russia is not the biggest problem, as Serbia also faces other shortcomings for EU integration.

Our Associate Research Fellow Zuzana Stuchlíková spoke in the TA3 about the possible impact of Ukraine's accession to the European Union, what are the real chances of accession and what view other member states have on it.

Our Researcher Jana Juzová commented Ukraine and its prospects for EU membership in the article for Euronews. Zelensky has in fact signed an official application for EU membership, a step that any European state can initiate on its own. Zelensky has raised the stakes and asked for a faster procedure so that his country can join the Union as soon as possible.