EU

Our Research Fellow Jana Juzova commented on Ukraine's EU integration. Ukraine's economic level and lack of progress in democratic reforms, among other factors, complicate the EU's enlargement to include Ukraine. Accession would affect the flow of money redistributed from European funds, and Ukraine's membership would also have an impact on the EU Council's voting deliberations and the number of MEP seats.

The Czech Republic will take over the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. How is the Czech Presidency prepared for its task and how will it cope with the challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine? In an interview for ČRo, our senior research fellow Vít Havelka commented on the topic.

Vít Havelka, a research fellow at the Europeum Institute, spoke on ČT24's Studia programme about preparations for the Czech EU Presidency, which begins in July. Havelka's main focus is on the change in the role of the presidency from 2009. Now it is mainly about negotiating new European legislation than it was before. Furthermore, he also presented the direction of the Czech Republic in the legislative process and mentioned political priorities, where one of the main topics will be the war in Ukraine.

Our research fellow Michal Hrubý gave an interview to Lidovky.cz on the topic of oil imports to Europe and exceptions to the embargo. In the interview, he also describes the compromises in the negotiations on the form of the embargo.

Our Associate Research Fellow Zuzana Stuchlíková gave an interview for Slovak TV TA3. Zuzana Stuchlíková talks about the process of approving the latest EU sanctions package against Russia and the ban on Russian oil imports. She discusses how the negotiations went, how the exemptions for Central Europe will work, what it means for fuel prices and what will happen next.

Jakub Ferenčík wrote the EU Monitor on "The EU's stance on Ukraine's EU membership", where he discusses Ukraine's potential membership in the EU. Ferenčík also discusses the process of transitioning to EU membership and compares it to a similar process faced by some other countries, notably Serbia. In his work, the author discusses some of the factors of the transition process, from subscribing to EU values such as "human dignity, freedom and equality" to creating an area of "prosperity and neighbourhood".

Martin Vokálek, executive director of the Europeum Institute for European Policy, commented for E15 on the tense situation between the European Union and the UK in the area of economy and trade. In particular, the problematic region of Northern Ireland and compliance with the so-called Good Friday Agreement. The emergence of new tariff barriers between Britain and the European bloc is thus clearly a real threat.

Our researcher Zuzana Stuchlíková was speaking in the ČRo Evropa plus program about the Conference on the Future of Europe. What will the European Union look like in the coming years?

Jakub Ferenčík wrote a blog on the topic: The Militarization of Europe: Three Reasons the EU’s Defense Strategy Changed. In his blog, he writes for example about three reasons why the EU defence strategy has changed or the militarisation of Europe and the future of deterrence.

Leila Institorisova wrote a blog post on "Discrimination Is Not A Tradition: The Case of Poland", where she analyses Poland's attitude towards LGBTIQ+ rights.

We invite you to the next debate in the EU± series, this time on what position the EU will and should take in the emerging multipolar geopolitical order. The debate will take place online via Facebook on Wednesday March 23 at 17:30.

Žiga Faktor, a research fellow from our Institute and the head of our Brussels office, together with Irena Jenčová from the Euractiv portal, spoke in a Radio Slovakia discussion about sanctions against Russia, the unacceptable demands of the Kremlin, and the search for a way for Europe to replace Russian gas and oil. Will economic pressure force Moscow to come to the negotiating table and declare a ceasefire in Ukraine? Would not greater diplomatic engagement by the United States or China help?