Petr Fiala will discuss the future direction of the European Union with other European leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania. At an informal working dinner the new strategic agenda is the main topic. The strategy is always defined in the context of the European Parliament elections and before the appointment of each European Commission. In an interview for ČRo Plus Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about both the Czech and EU priorities.
Show moreThe information about an EU-wide ban on gas and coal boilers, that has been recently circulating on social media, is not true. The aim of the new European directive is not to ban them, but to promote the phasing out of these boilers in line with the 2050 carbon neutrality targets. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, described the nature of the directive to the iROZHLAS.cz project Ověřovna.
Show moreThe Schengen area of free movement of goods and persons will was extended to Romania and Bulgaria from Sunday 31 March. The two countries have been waiting seventeen years for this moment, since they joined the European Union. For now, only the maritime and air borders are removed, but land borders should follow in the next few months. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on both the economic benefits and possible risks of partial enlargement for the daily e15.
Show moreSlovakians voted in the first round of presidential elections. The fiercest battle was between two politicians - as was expected - former Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini and opposition candidate and former foreign minister Ivan Korčok. The latter won the first round by surprising five percent diference. Slovak experts see the elections as crucial to determine the future political path of the country. Project manager of EUROPEUM Institute Kristína Chlebáková commented on the issue for Lithuanian National Radio and Television LRT.
Show moreThe end of Charles Michel's mandate as president of the European Council this year comes at a time of seismic — and consequential — geopolitical shifts. Hugo Blewett-Mundy, a non-resident associate research fellow from the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, explains why he views the current Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as the best fit for the position soon to be vacant.
Show moreAnother summit of the EU leaders' in Brussels has ended. What topics were discussed? Deputy director and head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute Žiga Faktor described the conclusions for TN Live.
Show moreWhat topics are the EU leaders discussing at the summit in Brussels? Will they be able to find unanimous agreement on the use of the frozen Russian assets? Will the requirements for farmers be amended? Vít Havelka, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on these topics for Slovak RTVS.
Show moreThe first Nuclear Energy Summit was held in Belgium with over 40 countries in attendance. Their deputies discussed the future of nuclear energy, not only in Europe, but also worldwide. Žiga Faktor, head of EUROPEUM's Brussels office, commented on the conclusion of this event in Brussels for Czech Radio Plus.
Show moreAccording to a new survey by the Ipsos agency for Euronews, ANO party has the highest support leading up to the June elections, followed by the SPOLU coalition, with Mayors and independents (STAN) holding third place. ANO party could potentially gain up to nine seats, while STAN also show increased support. On the other hand, the SPOLU coalition is not expected to achieve the anticipated level of support. The decision to participate in the elections as part of this coalition could benefit Christian and Democratic Union - Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-ČSL), but it may harm TOP 09. Deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented on the survey for iDnes.cz.
Show moreThe European Commission has proposed how to make use of frozen Russian assets in Europe after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Up to ninety percent of the assets would be used to buy weapons for Ukraine under the so-called European Peace Facility. The remaining 10% would be transferred to the EU budget and used for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The proposal still needs to be unanimously approved by EU foreign ministers. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on what this proposal will mean for Ukraine and the European Union for Czech Radio Radiožurnál.
Show more