We would like to invite you to an online debate on "Evaluation of the first months of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU", which will take place on Thursday 8th September at 17:30 online on our Facebook page.
Show moreThe 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.
Show moreOur 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.
Show moreEighteen 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.
Show moreThe Czech Republic has taken over the rotating presidency of the European council. It has vowed to focus largely on aid to Ukraine and the war's repercussions. Žiga Faktor, the head of our Brussels office talked in a brief interview with DW. Žiga Faktor finds the Czech Republic a perfect fit for trying to find a consensus on the situation and the position towards Russia.
Show moreThe Czech Republic will sit on the EU Council for the second time in July. Thanks to the presidency and the growing number of visiting diplomats, the Czech language is spreading through Brussels more than usual, so you can hear "ahoj" or "rád tě vidím" here and there in the streets, writes Žiga Faktor in his commentary for iDNES.cz.
Show moreThe Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU begins today. One of the challenges that the Czech Republic will face is the possible extension of sanctions against Russia, for instance in the gas sector. However, the geographical proximity of Ukraine to the Czech Republic should facilitate negotiations on this issue. Žiga Faktor, head of our Brussels office, commented on this topic for the Slovenian online daily DELO.
Show moreMichal Hrubý, our Research Fellow, commented on the topic of the Czech EU Presidency in an article for the news server E15 in which he addresses the issue of gas from Russia. The article also compares the situation with 2009, when the Czech Republic held the EU Council Presidency for the first time.
Show moreThe 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.
Show moreVedoucí naší bruselské kanceláře Žiga Faktor komentoval pro zpravodajský web Politico přístup české vlády a naladění českých voličů směrem k nadcházejícímu předsednictví v Radě Evropské unie.
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