Articles Archive

The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposes the creation of a new position: Commissioner for Defense in the future Commission. Is this proposal feasible? When could this position be established? And who would fill it? How would enhanced EU defense operate alongside NATO was addressed by Vít Havelka, Senior Researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, in a commentary for the Slovak television RTVS.

For 20 years, the Czechs have benefited billions of euros from EU membership, yet they are more reticent about the Union than others. Where does this opposition come from? How do the Czechs see the EU and their role in it? Comments Vít Havelka, Senior Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute for the Finnish public radio and TV.

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.

Slovakia joined the European Union 20 years ago in its biggest enlargement to date. Among the main benefits of this move is an increase in the economy, up to 80%. Žiga Faktor, deputy director and head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, described the future direction of the Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the Czech Republic. She met with President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The visit was part of the campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on Ursula von der Leyen's arrival in the Czech Republic.

One of the most criticised politicises, that was agreed on in Brussels in this term. The critics argue that it decreases the competitiveness of Europe, while environmentalists think it should be stricter. Is it possible to cancel Green Deal? Or at least to modify it? For the main evening broadcast Televizní noviny on TV Nova, Kateřina Davidová, a researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.

In 2004, a total of ten new countries joined the European Union, the largest enlargement in terms of population and number of countries. EU accession has helped the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in terms of economic growth and political stabilisation. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute and Head of the Brussels Office, commented on this topic.

On the 1st of May, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union. How did the process of approval and accession to the EU proceed at the beginning of this century? What is the attitude of Czechs towards the EU? What was the original idea of the European community? The Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Martin Vokálek, answered these questions for TN Live.

Politicians and companies should start putting more emphasis on prevention and education about active and healthy lifestyles, because the health of the population has a major impact on the competitiveness of companies and the national economy. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this issue.

Chinese clothing and accessories company Shein has been included by the European Commission among the large platforms regulated by the EU's Digital Services Regulation. The company now has four months to comply with the stricter rules. Rebeka Hengalová, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Czech Radio Plus.

The next European Commission should have a new Commissioner for Defense. There is speculation that this position could go to the Czech Republic. However, some European politicians, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, are calling directly for the creation of European army. But what are the pitfalls of the project? Vít Havelka, a research fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, talked about the usefulness and possibilities for CNN Prima News.

Twenty years ago, the European Union underwent its biggest enlargement with the addition of ten Central and Eastern European countries. According to Vít Havelka, Senior Research Fellow at EUROPEUM Institute, this is enough time for all accession countries to learn how to navigate the EU institutions and its decision-making process.