Europeum

iRozhlas.cz | Fossil fuel boilers are not banned by the European Union

March 30, 2024

The 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.

e15 | Enlargement of the Schengen area to include Romania and Bulgaria

March 31, 2024

The 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.

TV Nova | European elections: Defense, security and domestic issues dominate amongst Czech voters

March 26, 2024

According to surveys a record turnout of Czech voters is expected in this year's elections to the European Parliament. Compared to the elections in 2014, it could be almost double the number, and so far about 33 percent participation is expected. Defense and security will be key topics, as well as war in Ukraine. Domestic issues of individual countries will play an important role as well. The executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, spoke to TV Nova about possible changes in the composition of the Parliament.

168 hodin | Czech and Slovak relations at freezing point

March 25, 2024

Due to the pro-Russian positions of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the Czech cabinet suspended the intergovernmental consultations. Does this turn the former brothers into enemies? Nonetheless, this is not the first time that relations between these two nations, that used to share a common state once, have frozen. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the topic in an investigative piece for 168 hodin broadcast by Czech Television.

TN.cz | EUCO summit: European Union agrees to help Ukraine

March 23, 2024

Another 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.

ČT24 | Nuclear Forum and EU Summit in Brussels

March 21, 2024

Support for Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, agricultural policy and other - topics of this month's EU summit in Brussels. What will be the most pressing topics? What will the EU say about the situation in Gaza, will it adjust the demands on agriculture and negotiate the freezing of Russian funds? Vít Havelka, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the topics for ČT24.

ČRo Plus | First World Nuclear Energy Summit in Belgium

March 22, 2024

The 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.

iDnes.cz | New survey for the June European Parliament Elections

March 21, 2024

According 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.

TN.cz | Meeting of the Visegrad Group Foreign Ministers

March 21, 2024

The current format of the Visegrad Group lacks common topics; the group fragmented into two pairs that have different opinions in many areas, particularly regarding the issue of Ukraine. However, the interests of Hungary and Slovakia are not in conflict with others, despite what their leaders claim. The conflict in the Middle East, where the Czech Republic is in the minority in its full support of Israel, was also discussed on this meeting. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation within the V4 for TN Live.

ČRo Radiožurnál | Use of Russian assets under the European Peace Facility

March 20, 2024

The 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.