Europeum

ČT24 | Síkela to be EU Commissioner for Energy, says Die Welt

September 03, 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already decided on key positions in her new team. The energy portfolio should go to Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela, the Die Welt website reported citing its sources. Prime Minister Petr Fiala will not comment on the information, a government spokeswoman said. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT24.

ČRo Plus | Formation of the new European Commission

August 26, 2024

Ursula von der Leyen has asked EU Member States to send her two names of candidates for the post of Commissioner in the European Commission, one man and one woman, so that she can create a balanced team. The Czech Republic ignored this request and proposed only Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela for the post of EU Commissioner. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.

ČT24 | The government confirmed the nomination of Jozef Síkela to the European Commission

August 21, 2024

Czech government has confirmed the nomination of Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela for the position of Czech EU Commissioner at its meeting. How will the appointment process continue? And what are Síkela's chances of securing a significant portfolio in the European Commission? Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, answers on ČT24 broadcast.

TV Nova | Final stage of EU Commissioners iselection. Fiala meets with von der Leyen in Brussels

August 20, 2024

Petr Fiala met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. This is just two days before the Czech government is due to definitively confirm the nomination of minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela for the post of European Commissioner. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for the main evening broadcast on TV Nova about what they could discuss at the closed-door meeting and how strong the position of the future Czech Commissioner is in Europe.

Euractiv.cz | EU strengthened resilience, now security will be a priority

July 30, 2024

This year the Czech Republic celebrates twenty years of membership in the European Union. In the meantime, the EU has gone through turbulent years associated with a series of crises - from economic to migration to pandemic and security. However, the wealth of the Czechs has increased by more than 40 percent over the years and the standard of living has reached 90 percent of the European average. This is according to data presented by the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic on the occasion of the anniversary, while Czech exports grew by more than 320 percent thanks to EU membership. Žiga Faktor, head of EUROPEUM Institute's Brussels office, comments on the other challenges the EU now faces.

Deník N | Czech Republic wants an influential post for Síkela. What are his chances?

July 30, 2024

The government of Petr Fiala is sending Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela to the race for an influential portfolio with the aim of filling one of the eco-oriented agendas. These are traditionally filled by representatives of large European countries, but even so, Síkela may not be without a chance. His professional background and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU will play in his favour. The Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, Viktor Daněk, reflected for Deník N on whether it would not be more important to focus on an agenda where interesting legislative activity can be expected in the coming years.

Czech Radio | Government agrees on Síkela as new Czech EU Commissioner

July 25, 2024

The Czech government has nominated its current Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, for the role of European Commissioner, aiming to secure an economic portfolio. In doing so, they are bypassing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's request to put forward both a male and a female candidate. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discussed the decision and its implications on Czech Radio.

Hospodářské noviny | Climate is giving way to security and economy. However, easing off on green transformation now would be a strategic mistake

June 26, 2024

This year's elections to the European Parliament have sparked debates about continuing the European plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, despite recent events suggesting the need to reassess this plan. The election results did not signify as much of a setback for European green ambitions as anticipated. The priority of climate and environment is no longer as high among most Europeans as it was five years ago, reflecting current political and international challenges such as security, economic prosperity, and the competitiveness of European industry. Kateřina Davidova, a researcher at EUROPEUM Institute, wrote an opinion piece on this topic for Hospodářské noviny.

Policy Brief | Were Czech industrial policy interests reflected in EU 2024-2029 strategic agenda discussions?

June 27, 2024

In light of the recent return of industrial policy to the global and EU stage, this policy brief outlines how Czech interests in this policy were reflected in the debates leading up to the adoption of 2024-2029 EU strategic agenda. First, it strives to define Czech industrial policy interests, outlining two alternative approaches to how they can be perceived. The liberal approach follows the long established consensus, according to which Czechia – as a very open, export oriented economy – should promote above all a seamless Single Market and free trade. Writes EUROPEUM Institute researcher Klára Votavová in her Policy Brief.

ČTK | Lipavský: Dealing with Russian aggression is key for the future of Europe

June 13, 2024

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, it is crucial for the future of Europe how it deals with Russia's brutal aggression towards Ukraine and its increasingly aggressive stance towards the West. He also emphasized that it will be essential for the European Union to ambitiously strengthen its role as a global player in the coming period, including prompt action in the development of the defense industry. He presented this vision in his speech at the Prague European Summit co-organized by EUROPEUM Institute and the Institute of International Relations.