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.

Euractiv | Strengthening ammunition production through the new European Defence Industrial Strategy

March 07, 2024

The new European Defence Industrial Strategy primarily responds to the Ukrainian need for ammunition supplies due to Russian invasion. It includes measures such as support for collective procurement of defense systems, focus on the involvement of European firms in public tenders, support for national budgets in transitioning to new weapon systems, and the development of stronger ties with Ukraine and NATO. Zuzana Krulichová, a researcher specializing in European defense policy at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the funding of the new strategy for Euractiv.

Euractiv | European Council approves financial package for Ukraine as part of its budget

February 06, 2024

An extraordinary summit of the European Council is held on 1 February. During the summit, the main topic was the financial support package for Ukraine as part of the multiannual European budget. Although the package was blocked by Hungary back in December, it has now been approved. Žiga Faktor, Director of our Brussels office and deputy director, commented on the event and its circumstances for Euractiv.

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.

ČRo Plus | Belgian Presidency

January 05, 2024

Belgium takes over the EU Presidency from the Spanish. What challenges does Belgium face in this role and how does it plan to achieve its objectives? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, explains.

ČTK | EU Summit to deal with aid to Ukraine, Hungarian PM blocks the topic

December 13, 2023

An EU summit will be held on Thursday, with the main topics to be accession talks with Ukraine and an increase in the EU budget. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán does not support further aid to Ukraine. Our researcher Jana Juzová commented on the situation for ČTK.

ČT24 | EU ministers discuss changes to debt and budget rules

December 08, 2023

EU finance ministers in Brussels discuss a new reform of the fiscal policy and debt reduction rules. Our research fellow Vít Havelka presented the future changes to the legislation in an interview for ČT24.

Op-Ed | The grain dispute is the first sign that Ukraine's EU accession will not be easy. What obstacles await on this path?

May 02, 2023

The Ukrainian grain situation is making waves in Europe. Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office Ziga Faktor wrote an Op-Ed about the impact of the situation on the country's EU accession and how some member states are reacting.

Op-Ed | Subsidised fossil fuels are a major obstacle to solving the climate crisis. The Czech Republic and the world must confront it

November 29, 2023

One of the biggest obstacles to solving the climate crisis is fossil fuel subsidies. However, they have not received much attention in the Czech Republic. An Op-Ed on this topic was written by our Senior Research Fellow Kateřina Davidová.

RTVS | European Council Summit: Israel, Ukraine and migration

October 26, 2023

The representants of EU countries arrived in Brussels for the European Council Summit. Our analytist Vít Havelka has commented on the agenda of the meeting - that includes, among other things, the situation in the Middle East, continuous support of Ukraine, the EU's budget or the new migration and asylum pact - in an interview with RTVS.