TN.cz | New Commissioner Síkela. Big budget, less influence

Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela has been appointed Commissioner for International Partnerships at the European Commission. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on TN Live whether this is a win or a loss.

There was talk of trade, economy or energy portfolios. The international partnership is probably not as strong as trade. However, it is a very interesting portfolio from the point of view that it covers a number of areas in which Jozef Síkela is active and which our government has also tried to negotiate for Síkela in some way.

It is a really broad portfolio and it revolves around the European Union's activities and role in economic areas outside the European Union and around partnerships with other countries. For example, there is development aid through an instrument called Global Gateway. He will be in charge of implementing these projects and investments abroad.

Watch the full interview here.

Martin Vokálek
Executive Director

Expertise: Economic issues, European security and NATO, war crimes and international law problematic