EU

The European Union could strike one of the biggest trade deals in the world - with India. Indeed, because of a potential trade war and deteriorating relations with the United States, the EU is looking to expand its reach into other global markets. This agreement was first mentioned in 2008. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, discussed the topic.

The European Union could strike one of the biggest trade deals in the world. At least that is what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says about the free trade agreement with India, which after years of negotiations should be successfully concluded this year. Zuzana Krulichová, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the agreement for iRozhlas.

"In the Czech Republic and in Europe in general, we lack a certain art of foresight, we can predict the next 2-3 years, but we cannot predict various scenarios in depth and be prepared for them." Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute, was a guest on the podcast Český zájem with Jan Lipavský.

Nicușor Dan's victory was in a way a surprise, because it seemed from the lead in the first round that mobilisation for him would be difficult, but in the end he mobilised an incredible number of people, even those who hold completely different political views. The key factor was that voters voted against Simioni rather than because Dan appealed to them so much. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.

On 9 May, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Brussels and meet with senior EU officials. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČRo Plus.

The European automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation. As EU legislation on vehicle circularity is being updated, non-profit organisations, think tanks, and representatives of the recycling sector are calling on the European Parliament and the Council to set more ambitious targets for the use of recycled steel in car manufacturing. The signatories of the joint statement are urging stronger measures to ensure that recycled steel becomes a standard component in automotive production.

The European Commission invited 150 randomly selected people to Brussels, who advised it over the course of three weekends on what the EU budget for the next seven years should look like. The current budget operates with a sum of €1.2 trillion, or just under 30 trillion Czech crowns. Economic analyst Filip Křenek from the Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM explains this for SZ Byznys.

The current shift in the international landscape and the role of the United Kingdom and the EU in it was commented on for Slovak television by EUROPEUM Institute analyst Imogen Wymer.

The results of the presidential elections in Romania and Poland and their impact on the EU were commented on for ČT24 by Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The situation regarding the summit between the EU and the United Kingdom was commented on for Slovak television by Imogen Wymer, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

EU and UK representatives held talks in London ahead of the 19 May summit. The meeting is supposed to mend the tarnished relations, but the parties do not yet agree on many points. Martin Vokálek, executive director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ČT1.

The EU is not in the habit of pressuring its partners into agreements. The US has presented Ukraine with a difficult question; if Ukraine had not signed the agreement, the US would have considered cutting defence or financial aid to Ukraine. I am glad that Europe has not resorted to such a thing. Filip Křenek, analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Horizon ČT24.