June 5, 2009 - The global economic and financial crisis, already a reality of everyday political life, has also become the main topic of the elections for the European Parliament – here in the Czech Republic as well. By Eva van de Rakt more»

Forum for Creative Europe

- April 16, 2009 - At the end of March 2009, an international conference took place in Prague on culture, creativity and the significance of both in contemporary society. Entitled “Forum for Creative Europe” and organized by the Czech Culture Ministry as part of the Czech EU Presidency, this conference was one of the main events of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. Martin Falář more»

Five years of an enlarged EU: Where is Eastern Europe?

- Five years after the enlargement of the EU in 2004 and 20 years after the political revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe, we should have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Instead, the threat of a new division of Europe is now being discussed. Eva van de Rakt more»

Bridging the Gap to the European Identity

- March 27, 2009 - Robert Schuman has argued that a „true community requires at least some specific affinities. Countries do not combine when they do not feel among themselves something common.“ Using Schuman´s terminology, we may ask if the EU has at least ´some specific affinities´, if the citizens of the states in Europe believe that they have all something in common. Lukáš Sedláček more»

Europe without Barriers: Depends on for Whom

- March 24, 2009 - The primary slogan of the Czech EU Presidency is “Europe without Barriers”. However, the current political representatives of the country primarily want to remove barriers in the areas of trade and business. Linda Sokačová more»

The no confidence vote and the Czech government: Circumstances and prospects

- On Tuesday 24 March 2009 the Czech lower house passed a vote of no confidence in the Czech government. The proposal, made by the opposition Social Democrats (ČSSD), received 101 votes in favor and 96 against. Eva van de Rakt more»

The Czech Republic, France, and the Passing of the Presidency Baton

- March 9, 2009 - Ever since the most recent wave of enlargement (at least), the European Union cannot exactly be described as an homogenous entente. Václav Nekvapil more»

The World in Crisis - Manifesto for the Czech Presidency of the European Union

- January 29, 2009 - In times of crisis, the poor suffer the most. The cumulative effects of global economic downturn, climate change, and energy and food crises call into question the entire economic model and policies of the past quarter of a century. And yet a world in multiple crisis opens windows of opportunity. Glopolis more»

"The Czech EU Presidency: Green Impulses and Visions for Europe"

- January 28, 2009 - On the January, 19, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Brussels organized a Lunch Debate with Ondřej Liška, Minister for Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, Vice Chair of the Czech Green Party (Strana zelených) as guest speaker and Franziska Brantner, Policy Analyst and Candidate for the European Parliament for the Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar (German Green party) a discussant. more»

The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU: Europe in Harmony?

- February 4, 2009 - Rarely has the European public ever been quite this uncertain as to whether a Member State can handle the challenges connected with the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Most of the concern is over whether controversial Czech President Václav Klaus may attempt some sort of provocation. Eva van de Rakt more»

Stumbling Blocks to the Adoption of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic

- January 19, 2009 - In the months leading up to the start of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Czech and European media speculated on whether the Czech President and Prime Minister would overcome their mutual conflict and represent the country consistently. Václav Nekvapil more»

Green Party successes in formulating governmental priorities

- January 13, 2009 - In October 2007, the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic publicized the first version of its priorities for the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. The materials were based on preparations which had begun immediately after the 2006 elections. Šádí Shanaáh more»