European Union

With the July 9 deadline looming, the EU is working flat out to negotiate a trade deal with the US. Yet reactions from those expected to be among the hardest hit – Slovakia, Hungary and Czechia – have been muted, confused and often unhelpful. Filip Křenek, an analyst at Institute for European Policy EUROPEUM, commented on the situation for Balkan Insight.

The European Commission has extended the list of air carriers banned from operating in EU countries. The new list includes all airlines certified in Tanzania and Suriname due to serious and systemic deficiencies in aviation oversight there. Although the measure does not directly affect the Czech Republic, it may affect some Czech passengers, with the risk of cancelled or rerouted flights. Filip Křenek, an analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Ekonomický deník.

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.

European leaders had a busy agenda – after the Munich Security Conference, a key meeting in Paris followed. The focus is on the future of the war in Ukraine, relations with the U.S., and the loss of past certainties. Analyst Zuzana Krulichová from EUROPEUM Institute breaks down the events for Voxpot in the Puls podcast.

On Monday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. In his inaugural speech, he did not mention Europe even once. What message does this send? Executive Director of EUROPEUM Institute Martin Vokálek commented for Horizont ČT24.

This paper contextualizes and analyzes data pertaining to democratic participation, institutional trust, and integration of the Visegrád Group—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—into the European Union twenty years since accession. This paper explores the history and functionality of the Visegrád Group as a political collective both before and during EU membership. A representative survey across the four countries provides substantive insights into the current state of EU cohesion during a critical period for the community. Writes Henry Barrett in his Policy Paper.

The European Union is struggling with economic problems and is increasingly looking at the back of the US and in some respects China. According to a report recently commissioned by the European Commission from the former central banker and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the solution lies, among other things, in greater European investment. And to ensure that there is enough money for this and that European investors do not go elsewhere, the European capital market should be strengthened. Filip Křenek, project coordinator and analyst at EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Český rozhlas Plus.

Commission President von der Leyen will announce the distribution of the portfolios for the European Commissioners soon. According to speculations, Jozef Síkela could get Energy portfolio, the trade area is also in play. But it could still change. Deputy Director at EUROPEUM Institute Viktor Daněk commented for Seznam Zprávy.

According to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the benefits of EU membership can be seen in many areas of life. The Prime Minister said this at a conference marking the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's accession to the EU. Our executive director Martin Vokálek evaluated two decades of Czech membership in the EU in an interview for ČT24.

Czech president Petr Pavel welcomed the President of North Macedonia, Steve Pendarovski, at Prague Castle. According to the Castle, the invitation to the Czech Republic is intended to express the support for the country's move towards the European Union. For Český Rozhlas Plus, the head of our Brussels office, Žiga Faktor, commented on the current events in North Macedonia.

Europeum, in cooperation with the analytical institute STEM, prepared a survey on the subject of the Czech Republic's membership in the EU and the adoption of the euro currency. For E15, researcher Klára Votavová and senior researcher Vít Havelka commented on the topic.

On the occasion of Europe Day, which takes place annually on 9 May, our Senior Research Fellow Vít Havelka outlined the importance of the European Union and recalled the challenges it has faced in recent times.