Europeum

E15: Ukraine has been resisting Russian aggression for six months. A severe winter will test Western solidarity.

August 24, 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for half a year. Despite constant fighting and pressure from Russia on Ukraine, the Russian Federation has failed to conquer Kiev. On the surface, it may appear that the war has stalled, but this is merely a deliberate tactic by Ukraine not to engage in major operations, but to wear down the Russian army. Western unity may be affected by new leadership in Italy and the UK, for example. However, the Czech Republic can play an important role, as it currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Our researcher Danielle Piatkiewicz also commented on the topic.

iRozhlas: 'Fresh' first month of the presidency. The Union is relieved that the Czechs have negotiated even a problematic point like gas

August 02, 2022

In their article on the current European energy policy, iRozhlas.cz refers to the study Gas in Numbers - European solidarity with gas: where does the Czech Republic stand?, which was prepared for EUROPEUM by our researcher Michal Hrubý. Michal Hrubý also commented in more detail for iRozhlas on the necessity of building energy independence from Russia, reducing annual consumption and Czech interests.

Gas in numbers | European gas solidarity: where does the Czech Republic stand? | UPDATED

December 01, 2022

European Union countries are facing a period of gas consumption cuts. Although the proposal agreed by Member States aims for a voluntary reduction of 15% in consumption in the coming months compared to the average of the past five years, the pressure for even greater savings will grow. And not only in natural gas consumption, but also in electricity. Our researcher Michal Hrubý has written an overview of gas and its use in the Czech Republic, in which he highlights the need for savings to help us get through this year's heating season and answers several questions related to gas consumption. Where does the Czech Republic stand on gas? What are our supplies and where to get new capacity? And how can we save for next winter? These questions are also answered in the review. We will update the overview gradually (originally published on 1 August 2022).

E15: The Kremlin wants to use gas to break up the European Union. Experts say it will not succeed

July 28, 2022

Russia's Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been operating at only 20 % capacity since Wednesday. According to Bloomberg, Russia will not restore supplies to full capacity as long as anti-Russian sanctions remain in place. Our researcher Michal Hrubý commented for E15.cz that with sufficient gas supplies and appropriate savings, we will definitely get through this winter.

Hospodářské noviny: Breakthrough: Macedonians and Albanians start talks on EU accession, Fiala flies to Brussels for a U-turn

July 19, 2022

The leaders of Northern Macedonia and Albania will open their countries' accession talks to the European Union in Brussels on Tuesday, something for which Northern Macedonia has been waiting for over 17 years and Albania for eight. The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, commented on this fact for Hospodářské noviny. Žiga Faktor also comments on the agreement between Northern Macedonia and Bulgaria. In his view, the EU may have set a precedent by allowing bilateral historical and cultural disputes to become part of the accession process.

Aktuálně.cz: Macedonians and Albanians start negotiations on EU accession. Fiala flies to Brussels for this

July 19, 2022

The leaders of Northern Macedonia and Albania will open their countries' accession talks to the European Union in Brussels on Tuesday, something for which Northern Macedonia has been waiting for over 17 years and Albania for eight. The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, commented on this fact for Aktuálně.cz. Faktor also commented on the agreement between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, which opened the way for North Macedonia to join the EU. Faktor believes that the EU may have set a precedent by allowing bilateral historical and cultural disputes to become part of the accession process.

Deník N: Graduate or crisis manager? What the Czech Republic can (not) influence in the EU Council Presidency

July 07, 2022

Eighteen years after joining the European Union, the Czech Republic assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time. Our Senior Research Fellows Vít Havelka and Kateřina Davidová commented for an article in Deník N on the role of the presidency, which in Havelka's opinion can be divided into two parts, namely legislative and political.

ČRo Plus: The European Union is preparing joint gas purchases. The summit has not yet produced an agreement on how to lower prices.

June 27, 2022

Our research fellow Zuzana Stuchlíková commented on the ongoing negotiations on the European summit to help further joint action towards Russia and European energy independence. What will the energy crisis mean for the incoming Czech presidency?

TA3: Summit to decide Ukraine's fate

June 23, 2022

The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, in an interview for TA3 commented on Ukraine's possible membership in the European Union and the related views of the member states. The original critics of enlargement are now beginning to show support, but status alone is no guarantee of certain membership. What is the decisive factor at the moment?

Politico: Czech Republic braces for rocky EU presidency amid Ukraine war, high inflation

June 23, 2022

The head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, commented for the news website Politico on the approach of the Czech government and the attitude of the Czech electorate towards the upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.