European Commission

A key summit of EU leaders kicks off in Brussels today. Slovakia is represented by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who will also temporarily convey the position of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. On the eve of the summit, Fico met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented for ta3.

It was supposed to shake the European complacency about its own economic performance and initiate radical change. The subject is the report by Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank, which was published exactly one year ago. The report was commented on by Viktor Daněk, Executive Deputy Director and head of the Prague office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

A year ago, one of the most important economic documents of our time caused a stir in Europe. Professor Mario Draghi identified the weaknesses of the European economy and outlined a path for the EU to escape the slow decline in the shadow of China and the USA. Since then, European analysts have presented one strategy after another, but their real impact has so far been limited. The topic was commented on by Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute.

Tomorrow marks exactly one year since the release of the Draghi report, in which the former head of the European Central Bank detailed the profound economic problems facing the European Union. He also outlined a roadmap for restarting the competitiveness of the member states. Filip Křenek, an analyst at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the Draghi report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is heading to the United States. But before that, he made a stop in Brussels. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office, commented on the situation for Czech Radio.

The European Union and the United States have reached an agreement on import tariffs. Instead of the originally announced 30% tariffs, both sides agreed on a compromise rate of 15%, which should keep the market stable while mitigating the impact on businesses. Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on CNN Prima News.

Trump is pressuring Europe with tariffs and setting conditions for an agreement. The EU is responding with its own list of sanctions. How close is a deal, and who holds the stronger position? The situation was commented on by Viktor Daněk, Executive Deputy Director and Head of the Prague Office.

During Thursday’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, EU officials called for more balanced trade relations. If China fails to deliver, the European Union may reduce its level of openness to Chinese imports, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated. The situation was commented on by EUROPEUM Institute analyst Zuzana Krulichová.

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented a draft of the new budget for the coming years. It is record-breaking in size and will also have to rely on new sources of funding. For Czechia, this represents a major opportunity, says Martin Vokálek, Executive Director of the EUROPEUM Institute. However, he points out that the Czech government will need to be more active in Brussels to actually secure access to these record EU funds.

How is the draft of the next EU budget set up, including from the perspective of Czechia? The situation was commented on for ČRo Radiožurnál by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The European Commission has proposed a budget of €2 trillion (49.21 trillion CZK) for the period 2028 to 2034, according to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin. The financial plan places emphasis on economic competitiveness and defence, while also aiming to reform rules on subsidies for agriculture and economic development. In the coming months, one of the most complex negotiations in Brussels is set to begin. The situation was commented on for ČT24 by Martin Vokálek, Executive Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute.

The European Commission is preparing a proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2035. This budget will determine how much money will be spent on different EU policies - from agriculture to digitalisation - and what the Union's priorities will be in the next decade. Alongside debates on the level of contributions, there is also expected to be an emphasis on greater control over who is entitled to European money. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the EUROPEUM Institute, comments on the situation for Radiožurnál.