Europeum

Novinky.cz | Italian recipe for illegal migration cut by local court, argues Czech case

October 24, 2024

The Italian government, headed by Giorgia Meloni, is arguing with the courts over the transport of migrants detained in the Mediterranean Sea to Albania. Italy wants to process their asylum applications there. But a court in Rome ruled on Friday to return the first 12 refugees to the Apennine peninsula. It relied on an EU court ruling that has a Czech footprint. The Italian development complicates the efforts that the Czech government had hoped to make from the measure. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Novinky.cz.

ČRo Radiožurnál | Can we expect a significant shift in the EU's migration policy from the Brussels summit?

October 17, 2024

The EU Summit started in Brussels this morning and one of its key points is to be further assistance for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky is in attendance and has presented a "victory plan" which includes strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities. A particularly heated discussion is expected around adjustments to EU migration and asylum policy. Shortly before the start of the summit, representatives of several countries, including the Czech Republic, were due to hold an emergency meeting to reconcile their positions in this area. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current events on Czech Radio broadcast.

Hospodářské noviny | It is a betrayal, Babiš rejects the EU migration pact. His allies say it will limit migration

October 09, 2024

The new rules on asylum and migration agreed upon by EU member states this year are, according to ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš, "a huge betrayal prepared by the government of Petr Fiala". Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Horizont ČT24 | Immigration centre in Albania

June 05, 2024

A large-scale immigration centre is to be operational in Albania from August. Rome is building it to take illegal migrants intercepted at sea out of its territory until the asylum process is completed. Critics say the plan is unfair to migrants because it will disproportionately prolong their stay in the European Union when they are assessed. Is this an effective solution or is it just part of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's election campaign? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Horizont ČT24.

BLOG | Unforeseen Dilemmas: The EU-Tunisia Migration Deal in Light of Human Rights Concerns. Was it a mistake?

May 16, 2024

Tunisia has become the main exit point for asylum seekers and refugees, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU, faced with a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa, has bolstered its cooperation with Tunisia, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Kais Saied. However, questions arise over the EU's handling of human rights abuses in Tunisia, reminiscent of past agreements with Turkey. Nargiz Mustafazade, a trainee in the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, writes about this topic in her blog.

ČRo | Czech Republic abstains in the final vote on the migration pact

May 14, 2024

The Migration Pact heads to its final vote in the Council of Ministers. The Czech Republic will abstain in this final vote. What is the process of approval within the European Union? What led to the change of position? And what are the implications for the EU of the just-approved migration pact? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Czech Radio.

RevivEU | Did the Russian war in Ukraine change anything?

May 22, 2024

We invite you to a public podcast recording focusing on the discussion of changes in the Czech approach to refugees due to the Russian war in Ukraine. We will delve into shifts in Czech solidarity towards refugees and also discuss the new migration pact, its content, and significance.

CNN Prima News | EU member states confirm agreement on final migration pact

May 08, 2024

Representatives of the EU Member States in Brussels confirm their agreement on the final form of the migration package. The Czech Republic reportedly abstained from voting, while Hungary and Poland opposed it. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the final form of the migration pact.

Ekonomický deník | Migration problems are effectively eliminated by the new pact

May 01, 2024

The migration pact recently approved by the European Parliament brings a number of effective steps to prevent illegal migration, but it is certainly not a perfect anti-immigration tool, said Jaroslav Bžoch, candidate for MEP and vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the European Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the functioning of the EU Migration Pact and the opinion of the Czechs on this pact for Ekonomický deník.

iDnes.cz | What exactly is in the migration pact

April 19, 2024

The European Union has approved a migration pact, and from 2026 individual states will either accept their share of refugees or pay to opt out of this obligation. However, since the Czech Republic has already accepted a large number of refugees since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it should temporarily be exempt from this obligation. However, as noted by Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM, this is not an exemption explicitly granted to Czechia. Exemptions are determined based on the number of people granted asylum or similar protection in a given country.