Europeum

ČRo Plus | Spanish and Irish recognition of an independent Palestinian state

May 09, 2024

Spain and Ireland are working closely together on a joint move towards the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. Recognition is expected to take place on 21 May. They see this move as an expression of support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue for Czech Radio.

Yle | 20 years of membership, yet the Czechs are reticent

May 02, 2024

For 20 years, the Czechs have benefited billions of euros from EU membership, yet they are more reticent about the Union than others. Where does this opposition come from? How do the Czechs see the EU and their role in it? Comments Vít Havelka, Senior Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute for the Finnish public radio and TV.

TN.cz | 20 years of Czechia in the EU

April 30, 2024

On the 1st of May, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union. How did the process of approval and accession to the EU proceed at the beginning of this century? What is the attitude of Czechs towards the EU? What was the original idea of the European community? The Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, answered these questions for TN Live.

RTVS | Proposal for the position of Commissioner for Defense

May 02, 2024

The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposes the creation of a new position: Commissioner for Defense in the future Commission. Is this proposal feasible? When could this position be established? And who would fill it? How would enhanced EU defense operate alongside NATO was addressed by Vít Havelka, Senior Researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, in a commentary for the Slovak television RTVS.

ČRo Plus | EU will regulate fast fashion platform Shein

April 27, 2024

Chinese clothing and accessories company Shein has been included by the European Commission among the large platforms regulated by the EU's Digital Services Regulation. The company now has four months to comply with the stricter rules. Rebeka Hengalová, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Radio Plus.

ČT24 | Visit of the European Commission President to the Czech Republic

April 30, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the Czech Republic. She met with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The visit was part of the campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on Ursula von der Leyen's arrival in the Czech Republic.

RTVS | Slovakia has been in the EU for 20 years

May 01, 2024

Slovakia joined the European Union 20 years ago in its biggest enlargement to date. Among the main benefits of this move is an increase in the economy, up to 80%. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, described the future direction of the Union.

CNN Prima News | Two plenary session locations of the European Parliament

April 25, 2024

The MEPs discussed the difficulty of changing the seat of the European Parliament, which periodically moves from Belgium to France. Most agreed that they would welcome if this movement was canceled. However, France would probably veto such a change in the treaties. What are the arguments for and against moving the European Parliament periodically? Is there any way out of this problem, or will Strasbourg's role remain the same for decades to come? Martin Vokálek, Director of EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, commented for CNN Prima News on the issue.

Policy Paper | Barriers and benefits of energy communities in the European Union

March 21, 2024

Energy communities are an effective means to decentralize and renew our energy systems with sustainable solutions as they are usually based on renewable energy. They have already started emerging in 1970´s, yet there has been a significant increase in their development only in recent years, also in terms of their introduction into the EU legislation. Especially in Western and Northern European countries the concept already enjoys vast popularity. On the other hand, in Central and Eastern European countries (further referred to as CEE) energy communities are only beginning to emerge. The policy brief (based on literature and interviews with various stakeholders ) examines the benefits energy communities may bring, and more importantly, the main obstacles remaining in their way for greater evolution in the CEE region – and especially Visegrad countries (V4). As these initiatives progress, sharing the best practices will ensure the success of the community energy in the energy transition. Writes Alžbeta Gavalcová.

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.