Europeum

TN.cz | Last session of the European Parliament before the elections

April 24, 2024

The last plenary session of the European Parliament before the June elections took place in Strasbourg, France. In addition to the ceremonial commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement to date, which also saw the Czech Republic become a member state, MEPs also discussed the Iranian attack on Israel and a regulation to combat violence against women. Martin Vokálek, director of the EUROPEUM Institute, gave a detailed analysis of the meeting for TN.cz.

Report | Regional Cooperation in Central Europe in the Aftermath of Russia’s War: Changes and Prospects

April 26, 2024

On April 18th, EUROPEUM’s Brussels Office in partnership with PISM Brussels Office under the Think Visegrad platform hosted a discussion titled “Regional Cooperation in Central Europe in the Aftermath of Russia’s War: Changes and Prospects”. This event was attended by 15 experts from think tanks and representatives of EU institutions.

Analysis | Can the Czech state distribute the just transition fund? Analysis of its capacities at the national level

April 26, 2024

The aim of this research report is to determine, through interviews with officials and other relevant stakeholders, whether the Czech public administration has sufficient capacity and organisational capability to effectively draw down funds from the Just Transition Fund. The author of the publication is Klára Votavová, researcher at EUROPEUM Institute.

Policy Paper | HOW TO PLAY THE DIGITAL POWER GAME WITH LIMITED MEANS Policy Principles for the Next European Commission

April 26, 2024

In the global competition for technological dominance, this policy brief sets out six principles for the next Commission on how to play the digital power game with limited resources. Despite the size of its market, the EU lacks common fiscal capacity, capital markets and labour market dynamics. Writes Silke Maes, Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute.

ČRo Plus | Visit of Jens Stoltenberg and Rishi Sunak to Poland

April 23, 2024

Donald Tusk was joined in Warsaw by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The aim of this meeting, according to Tusk, is to strengthen Poland's position in security policy. Polish President Andrzej Duda has even said that Poland is willing to let NATO allies deploy nuclear weapons on their territory. Martin Vokálek, director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the visit for Czech Radio.

BalkanInsight | Far from Czexit but Czechs are Still Sceptics

April 23, 2024

This year the Czech Republic celebrates 20 years since joining the European Union. Czechs are very sceptical about the EU, despite the fact that about 70 percent acknowledge that the Czech Republic benefits from EU membership and would vote to remain. Sceptical perceptions of the Union could be changed by the country's new pro-European leadership. Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office and deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this topic for BalkanInsight.

Novinky.cz | Migration Pact could cost the Czech Republic millions of crowns

April 23, 2024

The Czech Republic will be able to apply for an exemption from the migration pact because of Ukrainian refugees on its territory. If this exemption is not granted, the Czech Republic will either have to accept more migrants or pay a sum of up to 480 million CZK per year into an EU fund. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the migration pact for online outlet Novinky.cz.

iDnes.cz | What exactly is in the migration pact

April 19, 2024

The European Union has approved a migration pact, and from 2026 individual states will either accept their share of refugees or pay to opt out of this obligation. However, since the Czech Republic has already accepted a large number of refugees since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it should temporarily be exempt from this obligation. However, as noted by Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM, this is not an exemption explicitly granted to Czechia. Exemptions are determined based on the number of people granted asylum or similar protection in a given country.

ČT24 | The Migration Pact is about border protection, but it also brings new responsibilities

April 18, 2024

The European Parliament recently approved the Migration Pact, which, among other things, deals with the relocation of asylum seekers. Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan claims Czechia will have an exemption from solidarity due to the number of Ukrainian refugees it accepted. The Migration Pact will take effect in two years, and its strengths and weaknesses were analysed by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of the EUROPEUM Institute.

TN.cz | Report on the EU internal market has a huge importance for Czechia

April 17, 2024

During the recent summit, politicians came to discuss key issues regarding the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, relations with Turkey, and the competitiveness of the European Union against the United States and China. Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, provided commentary for TN.cz. According to him, it is crucial for Czech politicians and diplomats to be actively engaged in these discussions.