Europeum

EuropaSecura 2022: a look back at the 15th edition of the competition for high school students on European defence and security

August 25, 2022

The national EuropaSecura competition for high school students on European defence and security, organised with Czech Army and the Ministry of Defence, has successfully completed its 15th year and selected winners who will travel to Brussels. Take a look at what the competition entails and what it looks like at the national final at the military base in Brdy. The students experienced how diplomatic negotiations within the EU and NATO take place and how crisis situations are handled within the EU.

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.

VISEGRAD/ISIGHT: Czechia and Slovakia lead the ways

August 23, 2022

Our senior researcher Jana Juzová wrote an article for VISEGRAD/INSIGHT on "The Czech Republic and Slovakia in the lead". Since July, the Czech Republic has held the presidency of the EU Council and Slovakia the presidency of the Visegrad Four. Although the V4 is now in the shadow of Czech and Slovak foreign policy, this does not mean that it is less important or that it is falling apart. However, the V4 crisis triggered by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán may be an opportunity for the Czech Republic and Slovakia to determine the direction of the Visegrad Four.

EURACTIV: Bosnia prepares for elections, but will go nowhere without reform. Not even closer to the EU

August 18, 2022

The head of the Brussels office Žiga Faktor commented for EURACTIV. What are the chances of reforming the electoral system in Bosnia? How should parties work on it and what should it include? According to Žiga Faktor, it must not only reflect political proposals and ambitions, but it is necessary to think about what citizens themselves want and how the reform will affect them.

Conference: Building momentum for CCS deployment in the CEE region

September 06, 2022

The purpose of the conference is to establish familiarity of regional (CEE) actors with the EU-level CCS policy initiatives, to introduce them to funding opportunities that could be used to facilitate and accelerate the deployment of CCS projects in the region, as well as to enable and encourage communication and cooperation among interested parties. The conference will take place on 6 September at 15:00 in Brussels at the Residence Palace (155 Rue de la Loi, 1000 Brussels) and will also be streamed online.

Radio Zet: Druzhba pipeline shutdown

August 10, 2022

In a news report on Radio Zet, our researcher Michal Hrubý spoke about the shutdown of the Druzhba pipeline and the current situation with the payment of fees that have not been processed due to sanctions. The fees have been paid and supplies should resume in the coming days.

RTVS: Some EU countries are returning to coal energy

August 02, 2022

The return of coal as a source of electricity production is a direct consequence of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The resumption of coal-fired power stations in Europe means an increase in harmful emissions, jeopardizing the EU's climate targets. EUROPEUM Institute researcher Kateřina Davidová spoke in detail about the energy crisis in Europe, the measures that Brussels is taking to prevent countries from turning to sources of electricity such as coal, and the compensatory measures taken by member states.

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.cz: Rescuing Uniper will cost Germany as much as two gigafactories. But experts say it is necessary

July 20, 2022

German energy giant Uniper is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and there is not much time left to save it. A key moment is due this Thursday, when it will become clear whether or not Moscow will resume suspended gas supplies to Germany. Our researcher Michal Hrubý commented on this situation for E15.cz.