On 10 and 11 April 2024, Prague will host a two-day conference entitled "20 Years of Reuniting Europe's East and West", organised by EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Think Visegrad platform and the project (Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the 2004 EU enlargement (REWEU) supported by the International Visegrad Fund and the European Commission. The programme will also include the second edition of the EU Enlargement Forum.
Show moreRecent investigation into the purchase of Pfizer vaccines by the EU has revealed the involvement of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, raising questions about transparency and accountability. With the interconnection of several cases, including allegations of undisclosed agreements and legal actions, attention to negotiation processes and financial management within the Commission is increasing. The outcomes of these investigations may influence public trust and future leadership of the EU, highlighting the delicate balance between transparency and privacy protection. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, offered a commentary for iRozhlas.cz.
Show moreInterest in the European Parliament elections remains low, and increased turnout is not expected this year either. The Czech perception of the European Union is partly shaped by political expressions, influencing a rather eurosceptic public perception. Although Czech MEPs have the potential to contribute significantly within the Parliament, the public has only limited awareness of their work and influence. Speculations about future positions within the ECR faction and possible commissioner positions are still premature. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, opened these topics on the evening broadcast 90’ on ČT24.
Show moreEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces charges related to the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer. The first information came from the The New York Times, which has subpoenaed European Commission documents relating to the negotiations for the purchase of the vaccines. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of the EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, commented on the case for TN.cz.
Show morePetr Fiala will discuss the future direction of the European Union with other European leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania. At an informal working dinner the new strategic agenda is the main topic. The strategy is always defined in the context of the European Parliament elections and before the appointment of each European Commission. In an interview for ČRo Plus Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, spoke about both the Czech and EU priorities.
Show moreThe 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.
Show moreMilitary industry in Europe is not able to cover the needs related to the supply of ammunition to Ukraine. The situation of the long-neglected EU weapons industry is now being addressed by the European Commission with financial support of 500 milion of euro. But is the decision on financial support coming too late? And how long before the industry can be renewed? Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for TN.cz.
Show moreThe European Parliament is now taking the European Commission to the Court of Justice of the EU over the controversial release of EU funds to Hungary. Why do some MEPs consider the release of funds to be the result of blackmail by Hungary? Why have MEPs taken the matter to court? What could the lawsuit cause comments Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute for Czech Radio.
Show moreThe President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the European Commission will recommend initiation of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. In recent months, reform efforts have been evident, the Bosnian government has reached agreements even with the separatist entity of Republika Srpska on key reforms. However, the conditions have not yet been fully met, and many other reforms, such as electoral system reform, are still pending. Researcher from EUROPEUM Institute, Jana Juzová, discussed it for Slovakian RTVS.
Show moreCzech MEP Martina Dlabajová had applied for the post of EU's small and medium-sized enterprises Envoy last fall, but at the end of January Markus Pieper was appointed to this role. He is Ursula von der Leyen's running mate, who came third in the open competition behind the winning Dlabajová. The anti-corruption organisation Transparency International, among others, has called for an investigation into the selection procedure. Viktor Daněk, the deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for Czech Radio.
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