Series:EUROPEUM - Národní Konvent o EU

Priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU

Priority předsednictví České republiky v Radě EU

Author(s): Vladimír Bartovic / Language(s): Czech

The country assuming the presidency has to deal with a wide range of tasks. It is responsible for preparing the agenda for Council meetings at various levels, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Council for the administrative management of the Council's activities, for representing the Council towards other EU institutions and third parties, and for negotiating agreements between Member States. At the same time, the presidency country strives to fulfil its own individual objectives and priorities. In order to effectively fulfil the objectives of the EU in general and the priorities of the individual presidencies, each Member State participates in the preparation of an eighteen-month programme within the framework of the so-called trio of countries. The Czech Republic, as in 2009, will cooperate with France and Sweden.

Conference on the Future of Europe from the Perspective of the Czech Republic

Konference o budoucnosti Evropy z pohledu České republiky

Author(s): Vladimír Bartovic,Vít Havelka,Zuzana Kasáková / Language(s): Czech

In July 2019, the current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented an initiative to organize a Conference on the Future of Europe as part of the political priorities of the new Commission. Its goal should be to transform the European Union so that it can adequately respond to current and future challenges, strengthen its democratic character and meet the needs of EU citizens. To this end, not only EU institutions and individual national actors, but above all EU citizens should be involved in the debate on the future of the European Union. According to the President of the EC, they should become the engine of change in the further direction of the integration process. One of the arguments for emphasizing the need to debate the reform of the European Union in a broader context was the higher participation of EU citizens in the elections to the European Parliament, which took place in the spring of last year and in which voter turnout reached the highest level in the last twenty years.

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the Future of Migration Policy

Nový pakt o migraci a azylu a budoucnost migrační politiky

Author(s): Christian Kvorning Lassen,Vladimír Bartovic / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: migration policy;

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum represents a paradigm shift in the EU's external and internal approach to migration. The proposal recognises the need to restore trust in the asylum and migration system while stimulating fair responsibility-sharing and solidarity, while externally focusing on a stronger focus on protecting the EU's external borders and a more effective return policy. Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson preemptively stated that no one would be satisfied with the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, but that "failure is simply not an option". She also stressed that migration is necessary and has always been and will always be part of Europe's heritage. Despite this softening of expectations, the initiative was generally welcomed by Member States. However, fundamental differences persist between Member States in their perceptions of migration and its management, in particular in the area of a fair balance between solidarity and responsibility. However, inaction would allow a repeat of the migration crisis, which would be unsustainable from both a humanitarian and political perspective. The new pact essentially seeks to reconcile the duty to protect with security concerns alongside humanitarian principles, without losing the domestic political capital of EU member state leaders, dilemmas that threatened EU cohesion during the migration crisis.

Current challenges in Healthcare at the European level

Aktuální výzvy v oblasti zdravotnictví na evropské úrovni

Author(s): Vít Havelka,Vladimír Bartovic,Zuzana Kasáková / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: COVID 19; pandemic;

The COVID-19 pandemic caught the European Union and its Member States in a state where they were unable to respond adequately to the emerging health threat. It became clear relatively early on that Europe did not have sufficient supplies of protective medical equipment and that crisis instruments were not working effectively enough to prevent the spread of the virus. The European institutions found themselves in a situation where COVID-19 was spreading across Europe and at the same time the EU could not do much about it – responding to health threats did not fall entirely within its competence. It was and still is the case that national governments are primarily responsible for creating strategic stocks of medical supplies and combating the emerging pandemic. The European Union has only limited and supportive competences.

Reform of the EU ETS emissions trading system

Reforma systému obchodování s emisními povolenkami EU ETS

Author(s): Kateřina Davidová / Language(s): Czech

In June this year, the European Commission is to present the expected package of changes to climate and energy legislation, the so-called Fit for 55, which is intended to help the European Union implement the newly increased target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990). The reform of the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which will be presented and discussed as part of this package, will play a key role in meeting the common European climate goal. With the rising price of allowances, it can be expected that the impact of the EU ETS on the economic and environmental decisions of states and companies will continue to increase. It is therefore crucial how this system will be set up in the coming years.

The strategic Autonomy of the European Union

Strategická autonomie Evropské Unie

Author(s): Tereza Novotna / Language(s): Czech

“EU strategic autonomy” has recently become a frequently used term in response to geopolitical changes: the US retreat from the role of guarantor of the international order, the growing power of China and the related conflict with the US, the stagnant multilateral system and global challenges (climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic). However, the concept appears much earlier, especially in connection with the EU’s security and defence policy. The EU Council first used it in November 2013 and the term took a prominent place in the text of the European Global Strategy from 2016. If “strategic autonomy” does not mean an effort to create complete self-sufficiency for the EU in the sense of severing the main existing partnerships, but rather to limit the EU’s dependence on external political and economic factors and strengthen the EU’s ability to defend its interests, it is necessary to discuss the following questions within the framework of the National Convention’s round table on the EU.

Program of the France – Czech Republic – Sweden Trio Presidency

Program předsednického tria Francie – Česká republika – Švédsko

Author(s): Zuzana Kasáková / Language(s): Czech

The Czech Republic will once again hold the presidency of the European Union next year after thirteen years. For the second time, it will also form a team presidency with France and Sweden, the political framework of which will be anchored in a joint eighteen-month programme. The aim of the group presidency is primarily to ensure continuity of the activities of the Council of the EU, to avoid fragmentation of its activities and to ensure continuity of decision-making processes.

EU relations with its Eastern Neighbourhood

Vztahy EU s východním sousedstvím

Author(s): Jana Juzová,Katharine Klačanský / Language(s): Czech

The Eastern Neighbourhood is one of the most important regions for the European Union due to its proximity, but it also presents a number of challenges. If the EU really wants to live up to its ambition to be a global power and exert its influence in different parts of the world, as the ambition of the current European Commission for a “geopolitical Union” suggests1, it needs to start as close to home as possible. This goal is served by the EU’s enlargement policy (relevant specifically to the Western Balkans) and the European Neighbourhood Policy, which distinguishes two initiatives – the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and the Union for the Mediterranean.

Background material for the National Convention's round table on the European Union .The territorial dimension of the internal market in global competition.

Podkladový materiál pro kulatý stůl Národního konventu o Evropské unii. Teritoriální rozměr vnitřního trhu v globální konkurenci.

Author(s): Kristína Chlebáková,Zuzana Kasáková,Vít Havelka / Language(s): Czech

EU trade policy is one of the most important agendas carried out by the European Union on the basis of instructions from the member states. It is one of the exclusive competences of the Union. This means that regulations relating to trade issues are not adopted by the member states, but by the European Union. The same applies to the conclusion of international trade agreements. The area of trade policy includes trade in goods and services, foreign direct investment or commercial aspects of intellectual property. It consists of trade agreements with non-EU countries, trade rules to protect European producers from unfair competition and membership in the World Trade Organization, where the EU represents all member states and thus speaks with one voice. In recent years, the structure of the globalized economy has been changing. Protectionist measures are being introduced by powerful actors in the international trade field or trade ties are being used in political and diplomatic disputes. At the same time, global economies are grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exposed the vulnerability of supply chains, which could lead to a trend towards shortening them and deglobalization. These changes have been exacerbated in recent months in Europe by rising inflation, the energy crisis, and efforts to implement the European Green Deal and the digital transformation.

The territorial dimension of the internal market in global competition. Summary and recommendations resulting from the round table discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on 25 February 2022

Teritoriální rozměr vnitřního trhu v globální konkurenci. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 25. února 2022

Author(s): Zuzana Kasáková,Kristína Chlebáková,Vít Havelka / Language(s): Czech

Keywords: Covid 19;

It was in response to the impacts of the pandemic that the European Union adopted a new concept of trade policy based on the principle of open strategic autonomy. By applying this principle, the Union wants to achieve a stable, values-based trading system that is open, focuses on diversifying supply chains and allows the EU access to key commodities. All this with an emphasis on strengthening the EU's ability to act and resilience. The new form of EU trade policy reflects and accentuates the European trend of maintaining a balance between openness and protection of the Union's internal market.

EU relations with the Indo-Pacific region from the perspective of the Czech Republic. Summary and recommendations resulting from the roundtable discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on 29 April 2022

Vztahy EU s indopacifickou oblastí z pohledu ČR. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 29. dubna 2022

Author(s): Tereza Novotna,Alexandra Visnerova / Language(s): Czech

On the occasion of the launch of the EU Strategy for Indo-Pacific Cooperation in September 2021, High Representative Josep Borrell outlined the shift of “the world’s centre of gravity… towards the Indo-Pacific, both geo-economically and geopolitically.” High Representative Borrell spoke about possible areas of cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. From a geopolitical perspective, however, the Indo-Pacific is also a region of growing political and security tension, which is closely linked to the increasing economic and political weight of the People’s Republic of China and the geopolitical competition with the United States. In addition, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the question remains how not only China, but also other Indo-Pacific countries will respond to this Russian aggression, including compliance with sanctions against the Russian Federation. All these aspects were addressed by the round table of the National Convention on the EU held on 29 April 2022.

Background document for the round table on the topic: Conclusions and implementation of the outcomes of the Conference on the Future of Europe

Podkladový dokument pro kulatý stůl na téma: Závěry a implementace výstupů Konference o budoucnosti Evropy

Author(s): Žiga Faktor / Language(s): Czech

Exactly one year after the start of the Conference on the Future of Europe, on 9 May 2022, at a closing ceremony in Strasbourg, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the French President Emmanuel Macron, on behalf of the Council of the EU, received the final report with proposals and measures, which was drawn up during the consultation with European citizens. However, behind the celebratory ceremony, there are conflicting feelings about the low number of citizens involved, the low interest of the media, as well as doubts about the subsequent implementation of the outputs of the citizens' panels and therefore also about the (un)success of the Conference itself.

Conclusions and implementation of outputs. Conference on the Future of Europe. Summary and recommendations resulting from the round table discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on June 3, 2022

Závěry a implementace výstupů. Konference o budoucnosti Evropy. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 3. června 2022

Author(s): Žiga Faktor / Language(s): Czech

The outputs in the form of recommendations show that European citizens want a stronger and more decisive European Union. It will be up to the Union institutions and member states to commit to at least some of these outputs and implement them. The following months will be crucial for the Conference to fulfil at least part of its potential and thus leave a positive impact on the future of the Union. It is precisely the different political views on the outputs of the Conference that currently appear to be problematic, and it will be up to the Czech Republic to try to find consensus on the implementation of some of the outputs of the Conference during its presidency.

Background document for the roundtable on the topic: Strategic Compass

Podkladový dokument pro kulatý stůl na téma: Strategický kompas

Author(s): Danielle Piatkiewicz,Alexandra Ilková / Language(s): Czech

The last decade has seen dramatic changes in the European security environment. The Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, together with China’s growing geopolitical ambitions and Washington’s isolationist and unilateralist foreign policy under President Trump’s administration, have forced European Union (EU) member states to deepen defense and security cooperation and strengthen their defense capabilities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 not only brought war to the EU’s eastern border, but also significantly accelerated the efforts of member states to dynamically develop their own common security and defense structures and policies aimed at ensuring the EU’s stable position in the geopolitical world order.

Strategic Compass. Summary and recommendations resulting from the roundtable discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on September 21, 2022

Strategický kompas. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 21. září 2022

Author(s): Danielle Piatkiewicz,Alexandra Ilková / Language(s): Czech

The aim of the Strategic Compass is to make the EU a stronger and more agile actor on the international stage, able to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to threats arising from the strategic environment in which it operates. The Compass focuses on 4 key areas, which aim to ensure that the EU 1) acts faster and more decisively in crises, 2) protects EU citizens from rapidly changing threats, 3) invests more and better in defence capabilities and technologies, and 4) cooperates more effectively with partners to achieve common objectives. The implementation of the proposed regulations in the above areas requires increased commitment by Member States to harmonise national practices and clear leadership by EU institutions and their leaders in innovation processes.

Ukraine's integration into the EU. Summary and recommendations resulting from the roundtable discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on October 26, 2022

Integrace Ukrajiny do EU. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 26. října 2022

Author(s): Jana Juzová / Language(s): Czech

The granting of candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in June of this year opened a new chapter in relations between the EU and its eastern neighbours. From the perspective of the Eastern European countries, this was a breakthrough step – for the first time, the prospect of future membership in the European Union was opened to them, and at the same time they were assured that the EU counts on them and will be a solid partner for them even after the end of the ongoing war. This decision by EU leaders also provided a new impetus for the EU enlargement process, which has stagnated considerably over the past decade. However, the granting of candidate status only opens up a very long and challenging path for the country's integration into the EU, which will require not only great determination and perseverance on the part of Ukraine, but also answering a number of very complex questions within the EU.

Regional cooperation formats from the perspective of the Czech Republic. Summary and recommendations resulting from the round table discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on January 20, 2023

Formáty regionální spolupráce z pohledu České Republiky. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 20. ledna 2023

Author(s): Zuzana Kasáková,Jana Juzová / Language(s): Czech

Regional cooperation within various platforms and formats is a multi-layered process involving a number of actors at various levels. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Czech Republic has been actively involved in this type of cooperation. Its location in Central Europe determines the nature of this cooperation with countries in its immediate vicinity, but there is also involvement in platforms outside Central Europe. The intensity of cooperation is determined not only by the political situation in the individual countries involved, but especially by the topics discussed and the interests of the Czech Republic.

Evaluation of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. Summary and recommendations resulting from the round table discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on 24 February 2023

Zhodnocení českého předsednictví v Radě EU. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 24. února 2023

Author(s): Zuzana Kasáková,Vít Havelka / Language(s): Czech

The Czech Republic's presidency of the Council of the EU ended in December 2022. The Czech Republic took on its presidency for the second time and once again cooperated with France and Sweden within the presidency trio. However, the context in which the Czech Republic carried out its role changed. Russian aggression in Ukraine led to a fundamental reassessment of the program priorities of both the Czech presidency and the entire presidency trio. The European Union had to deal with the impacts of the war in Ukraine and still the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike in 2009, this time the Czech presidency took place in the post-Lisbon functioning of the EU, which, among other things, meant a limitation of the role of the rotating presidency in the European Council, where this authority was transferred to the permanent president, or the Foreign Affairs Council, which is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Energy Market Review. Summary and recommendations resulting from the roundtable discussion of the National Convention on the EU held on 31 March 2023

Revize energetického trhu. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 31. března 2023

Author(s): Vít Havelka / Language(s): Czech

Last year marked a significant crisis for the European energy sector, characterised by an extreme increase in energy prices and disruptions in natural gas supplies from Russia. This was due to the interplay of several circumstances, from an unusually intense drought, the shutdown of a large part of France's nuclear power plants to the Russian war in Ukraine and the use of energy resources as a means of blackmailing the European Union by Russia. In response to the excessive increase in prices and the risk of gas shortages during the winter of 2022/23, a series of short-term measures were adopted during the Czech Presidency to stabilise the situation and ensure the availability of energy.

Response to the US Inflation Reduction Act. Summary and recommendations arising from the National Convention's roundtable discussion on the EU held on April 28, 2023

Reakce na americký zákon o snížení inflace. Shrnutí a doporučení vyplývající z diskuze kulatého stolu Národního konventu o EU konaného dne 28. dubna 2023

Author(s): Kateřina Davidová,Tereza Novotna / Language(s): Czech

In August 2022, the US Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This law is a response to the multiple crises of recent years, from the current climate crisis, to the Covid and energy crises, to rising inflation, and together with the adopted CHIPS and Science Act, it continues the trend of protecting the US industrial base against a rapidly expanding China. The core of the law is a massive investment package that has $369 billion available for climate and energy projects over the next ten years, especially in the field of clean technologies. US investment in climate measures will increase from 0.6% of GDP to 1.2% of GDP, and it is expected that the US will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005. In addition, the investment does not have a maximum upper limit, so it is likely that much more money will flow into the clean economy as a result. It is estimated that IRA investments will create 9 million jobs over the next ten years, almost 1 million new jobs per year.