On October 1st, the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, representing the Visegrad Platform, opened the month with an expert roundtable discussion titled “Prospects for the EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans: A Missed Opportunity or a Strategic Turning Point?” The event explored the achievements, shortcomings, and future outlook of the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans, while promoting an open dialogue among leading experts and policymakers in the field.

The analysis assesses the evolution of transatlantic relations in 2025 in the context of Donald Trump’s return to office and changes in the U.S. approach to security guarantees. It examines the implications of these shifts for European security, collective defence, strategic autonomy, and the resilience of democratic institutions. The text also addresses issues of geopolitical stability in the Arctic and the MENA region, as well as climate and energy policy, trade relations, and technological competitiveness. Drawing on discussions from the Transatlantic Policy Forum, it formulates key recommendations for strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the areas of security, the economy, and strategic coordination.

Na konci listopadu 2024 učinil Evropský parlament významný krok, když přijal nařízení 2024/3015, které zakazuje uvádění výrobků vyrobených za použití nucené práce na trh EU. Tento zákaz, jenž vstoupí v platnost v prosinci 2027, se vztahuje na celý dodavatelský řetězec. Vymáhání nařízení bude probíhat prostřednictvím vnitrostátních orgánů členských států a Evropské komise v případech mimo území EU. Ačkoli má opatření globální rozsah, čelí celé řadě výzev – zejména v souvislosti se Sin-ťiangem. Praktiky nucené práce v tomto regionu byly opakovaně zdokumentovány a potvrzeny jak Mezinárodní organizací práce (ILO), tak Organizací spojených národů (OSN). Zároveň je Sin-ťiang klíčovým dodavatelem solárních panelů, kritických surovin, hliníku, PVC a bavlny, přičemž nucená práce zde často probíhá formou státem organizované mobilizace mimo detenční zařízení, což její odhalení výrazně ztěžuje. Jak upozorňuje Jan Švec, výzkumný pracovník Ústavu mezinárodních vztahů v Praze, prosazování tohoto nařízení bude představovat jeden z nejsložitějších úkolů obchodní politiky EU.

In 2009, Liesbet Hooghe and Gary Marks argued that public opinion in the European Union had shifted from permissive consensus to constraining dissensus, giving mass politics a stronger role in integration than traditional theories assumed. This sparked debate about the EU’s democratic deficit – a contested concept, but one with real political effects. The gap between citizens and EU institutions has long been visible in European Parliament elections, traditionally seen as “second-order” contests with low turnout and protest voting. However, the 2019 and especially the 2024 elections broke with this pattern: turnout increased, EU issues became more politicised, and party positions more polarised. These shifts suggest that a new transnational cleavage is emerging, marking a turning point for democratic engagement in the EU, writes Csaba Stefán, a Research Fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, in his policy brief.

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – Challenges and Opportunities, co-organized on November 17th, 2025, by the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, the International Visegrad Fund, and the Slovak Permanent Representation to the EU, opened with reflections on 17 November—a symbolic date for Central Europe marking the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and systemic transformation. The conference brought together policymakers and experts to discuss the key strategic priorities of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The event offered an in-depth examination of issues including competitiveness, cohesion policy, innovation, and funding for science. It also underscored the importance of the EU budget in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and integration.

The transatlantic relationship is entering a pivotal moment. With the United States turning inward, global rivalries intensifying, and trust across the Atlantic under strain, Europe faces growing pressure to rethink its approach to security, energy, and technology. This paper explores where transatlantic cooperation continues to thrive, where it is weakening, and how Europe can translate strategic ambition into tangible action—before the next crisis tests the resilience of the alliance. An insightful read for anyone engaged in global policy and transatlantic affairs.

On October 22, 2025, the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy held a roundtable discussion in Prague on the future of Czech Automotive Industry. The meeting of representatives from the sector, government, and research confirmed that despite European challenges, the Czech automotive industry remains in good shape, with record production of 1.45 million vehicles in 2024.

Economic security and competitiveness are becoming key issues for the European Union in order to maintain its global position and internal stability. The EU faces a long-term lag behind the United States in innovation and technology, while pressure from China and other economic rivals is growing. A new wave of American protectionism, geopolitical upheavals caused by Russian aggression, and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed the vulnerability of the European economy and its dependence on external supply chains. The European Commission has therefore presented a set of initiatives – from the Competitiveness Compass to the Clean Industry Agreement – aimed at strengthening resilience, reducing dependence on third countries, and streamlining the business environment. The Global Gateway initiative, which aims to diversify European trade and supply relations through strategic investments and partnerships, is also an important tool for strengthening the Union's global role. Given the strong industrial orientation and openness of the Czech economy, it is essential for Czechia to actively engage in these debates and formulate its priorities within the European economic security strategy.

At the end of November 2024, the European Parliament took a major step by adopting Regulation 2024/3015 banning products made with forced labour on the EU market. The ban, which will enter into force in December 2027, applies to the entire supply chain, with enforcement carried out by national authorities within the Union and by the European Commission in cases outside the EU. Although the measure has a global scope, it faces a number of challenges, particularly in relation to Xinjiang. Forced labour practices in the region have been repeatedly documented and acknowledged by both the International Labour Organization and the United Nations. At the same time, Xinjiang is a key supplier of solar panels, critical raw materials, aluminium, PVC, and cotton, while forced labour there often takes the form of state-organised mobilization outside internment facilities, which makes its detection especially difficult. For this reason, as noted by Jan Švec, Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, enforcing the Regulation will represent one of the most complex challenges for the EU’s trade policy.

Regions and municipalities are not only sources of emissions and areas where the effects of climate change are most visible, but they also serve as important centres for practical climate policy solutions. They are significant implementers of climate measures, particularly in areas such as the use of renewable energy sources, promoting low-carbon transport and introducing adaptation measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. At the same time, they foster investment and innovation in the field of climate action, writes Veronika Oravcová, who, through a series of expert surveys explored the different manifestations of climate policies on the local and regional level.

On 19th June, the Brussels Office of EUROPEUM representing the Think Visegrad Platform organised a public event entitled ‘The Future of Transatlantic Relations: Between Unity and Uncertainty.’ The event took place at The Library Europe, Avenue de Broqueville 40, with a participation of 16 experts, researchers and civil society actors. The aim of the discussion was to critically assess the current state and future trajectory of transatlantic relations in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics, with particular focus on trade tensions, NATO’s evolving role, ideological divergence between the EU and the US, and external security challenges.

At the end of November 2024, the European Parliament took a major step by adopting Regulation 2024/3015 banning products made with forced labour on the EU market. The ban, which will enter into force in December 2027, applies to the entire supply chain, with enforcement carried out by national authorities within the Union and by the European Commission in cases outside the EU. Although the measure has a global scope, it faces a number of challenges, particularly in relation to Xinjiang. Forced labour practices in the region have been repeatedly documented and acknowledged by both the International Labour Organization and the United Nations. At the same time, Xinjiang is a key supplier of solar panels, critical raw materials, aluminium, PVC, and cotton, while forced labour there often takes the form of state-organised mobilization outside internment facilities, which makes its detection especially difficult. For this reason, as noted by Jan Švec, Research Fellow at the Institute of International Relations in Prague, enforcing the Regulation will represent one of the most complex challenges for the EU’s trade policy.