Europeum

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.

RTVS | The European Union approves aid to Ukraine of 5 billion euros and creates a special fund

March 19, 2024

The countries of the European Union have approved aid in the form of an increase of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by five billion euros. The decision to create a special fund to help Ukraine represents an important step towards strengthening support for the country against Russian aggression. Žiga Faktor, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute and head of the Brussels office, commented on the creation of the fund and its possible results for Slovakian RTVS.

TN.cz | Blinken discussed war in Ukraine with EU foreign ministers in Brussels

March 19, 2024

The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken participated in the meeting of the EU foreign ministers of the member countries in Brussels. This unusual meeting may be motivated by the stalled financial aid of the United States to Ukraine or the upcoming elections on both continents. Current leaders have limited time to continue with existing projects and are likely to try to make deals before newly elected political leaders take their chairs. Martin Vokálek, executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about this issue on the main evening broadcast on TV Nova.

ČRo Plus | Czech government opposition reaction to EU migration pact

February 29, 2024

The EU Migration Pact has long been the subject of heated debate between the Czech government and the opposition. From the latter there are opinions that it is a monstrous agreement masking refugee quotas or fears that illegal migration will destroy the Czech Republic. But the government says it is a step in the right direction, despite the Czech Republic's abstention in the vote on the pact. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the change of their position for ČRo Plus.

ČRo Plus | Czech Republic would embarrass itself by withdrawing from the Green Deal

February 22, 2024

The Green Deal, a strategy towards greener technologies and climate protection, has recently been a major topic of discussion on the European scene. The Green Deal is also fiercely debated in the Czech Republic, with many farmers calling for its withdrawal in the streets in recent days. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the farmers' protests and their demands for Czech Radio Plus.

ČTK | Czech president is perceived very positively in the European Union, says analyst

January 21, 2024

In a short time, President Petr Pavel has become a respected politician at the international level and is perceived very positively in the European Union. Žiga Faktor, head of the Brussels office of the EUROPEUM Institute, said this in an interview with ČTK. He said Pavel has a clear pro-Western and pro-European outlook.

ČRo | New sanctions package includes entities outside of Russia

February 21, 2024

The new thirteenth package of sanctions against Russia was approved today by representatives of the EU. The sanction list has been expanded by another 200 individuals, companies, and institutions. These include entities outside of Russia that are involved in bypassing measures preventing the purchase of military technologies by Moscow. An expert commentary for the Radiožurnál program was provided by EUROPEUM's deputy director Viktor Daněk.

Právo | Orbán's game turned against him

February 02, 2024

One of the shortest summits in the history of the EU ended by unanimous agreement. Why were there no protracted negotiations and what position does this put Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in? Our deputy director Viktor Daněk explains in a commentary.

iDnes.cz | COMMENTARY: Quartet on the European budget - it is useless, isn't it?

February 02, 2024

Along with the discussion of the revision of the seven-year budget of the European Union (EU), statements that the budget is too big and unnecessary have once again appeared in the public space. Moreover, the EU is now borrowing to run itself because it is unable to make ends meet. It is worth recalling what the EU budget is for and why it is important to have one, writes Vít Havelka, a researcher at Europeum.

FORUM 24 | Michel's (ir)responsible departure and Orbán at the head of the European Council? Election fight begins in Brussels

January 28, 2024

The announced departure of Charles Michel from the European Council immediately became the focus of discussions across Brussels and the member states. Our Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office Žiga Faktor commented on several key issues related to the future functioning of the EU.