EU

The EU has faced stagnant productivity, declining investment, and a widening competitiveness gap compared to global rivals. In response, the European Commission unveiled a new strategic framework. But will it be enough to keep up with China and the US? Filip Křenek, EUROPEUM Institute analyst, commented for CEIAS.

The Central European countries - Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic - are unequivocally in favour of the enlargement of the European Union towards the East and the Western Balkans. At the same time, however, they stress that the path to membership must be conditional on fulfilling all the established criteria. Ukraine recognises that its integration into the EU will be a long haul, but every step forward means further distance from Russia's influence. Jana Faktor Juzová, a research fellow at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Euractiv.

We need an overall change of approach to the adoption of legislation. After all, its purpose is supposed to be to unify 27 national regulations into a universal set of rules, but due to the flexibility left to the Member States, gold plating and differences in national implementations, and many other reasons, the complexity of legislation is increasing. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

Do you know what the second best book after the Bible is? According to Donald Trump, his bestseller, Trump: The Art of the Deal, helped him become popular and build his personal brand in the late 1980s. From this partly autobiographical book, the reader will learn, among other things, a wealth of advice on negotiating successfully. Trump presents himself as the ultimate deal-maker throughout his life. Viktor Daněk, the deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute commented for Český Rozhlas Plus.

The frontrunner to win the German elections, Friedrich Merz, proposes a return to comprehensive border controls. However, some European politicians believe that this measure could lead to the gradual collapse of the entire Schengen area. Experts say the outcome of this weekend's federal elections will affect the entire European Union. Martin Vokálek, the executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute commented for TN Live.

European leaders had a busy agenda – after the Munich Security Conference, a key meeting in Paris followed. The focus is on the future of the war in Ukraine, relations with the U.S., and the loss of past certainties. Analyst Zuzana Krulichová from EUROPEUM Institute breaks down the events for Voxpot in the Puls podcast.

A second EU leaders' summit is held in Paris to discuss European security and the future of Ukraine. This time, other EU countries were invited, including the Czech Republic. Martin Vokálek, executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for TN.cz.

According to experts, the meeting of European politicians in Paris did not produce results that would indicate Europe's ability to play a major role in the negotiations on Ukraine. Martin Vokálek, executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for TN.cz.

And it's out! EUROPEUM’s journal EuroLens, which will be published biannualy from now on, is our new magazine full of interviews with experts, commentaries, and articles on both political and non-political topics. You will also find an overview of planned events, conferences, and of course much more. We hope it will be an interesting and inspiring source of information and helpful in your work!

The debate will be important because its outcome will determine the direction of the next negotiations. Europe must say what it is able to offer the United States in order to have a seat at the negotiating table. The EU does not yet have a unified position, and it is essential to formulate it now. […]

Ukraine categorically rejects any peace agreement concluded without its direct participation. President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. While Trump speaks optimistically about the impending end of the war, European and Ukrainian officials are talking more about a cold shower than a breakthrough in the negotiations. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for Czech Radio Plus.

The European Commission's preliminary proposal for new rules on stoves and boilers has provoked a strong reaction from their manufacturers and Czech politicians. The domestic debate is exceptional in this respect. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Deník N.