EURACTIV.cz

Czech experts: Tackling cancer care inequalities in Europe requires more data
Access to oncology care in Europe is often accompanied by inequalities which can be tackled by better data collection and usage, Czech experts say. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Czechia plans LNG imports from the Baltic Sea by train
Czech state fuel distributor Čepro is ready to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the country, so gas could be transported from the Baltic Sea by train. In the future, ship transport is also possible if the navigability...
New cybersecurity law could encounter insufficient capacities, Czech stakeholders warn
The forthcoming set of broader EU cybersecurity requirements could hit obstacles in the form of insufficient financial and staff capacities, prompting fears in the Czech Republic that they could create new headaches, particularly for private companies.
Agri-clash in Czechia over organic farming after war in Ukraine
Large Czech agribusinesses oppose the EU’s plan to extend organic farming to 25% of the land, warning against potential food price hikes amid an already challenging situation due to the war in Ukraine. The EU harbours ambitious plans, as a...
Russia’s sixth sanction package opens EU’s Pandora’s Box
Budapest and Bratislava are unhappy with the European Commission’s proposal to ban Russian black gold despite being given extra time to phase it out, while Sofia and Prague have jumped on the bandwagon and are now asking for special treatment. ...
Czechia should reduce gas-based fertiliser dependency, says Commission
The European Commission called on the Czech Republic to reduce its dependence on synthetic fertilisers, mainly produced from Russian natural gas. “The European Commission’s priority is to link climate action to the provision of food, taking into account the Russian...
Green technologies shortage looming in CEE
A boom in demand for heat pumps and solar panels combined with supply-chain disruptions is starting to cause severe material shortages in Czechia as producers focus on western European markets where consumers can pay more. Experts warn the problem is...
Industry disputes claims that waiving IP rights will ensure availability of medicines
The European Commission is leading talks on a waiver of intellectual property (IP) rights on COVID vaccines and treatments. However, critics from the pharmaceutical industry argue that changes to the current IP system could jeopardise research and development in their sector.
Czech gastronomy upgrade critical to attract ‘demanding’ tourists
Switching to quality gastronomy combined with greening measures in restaurants will be key factors in reviving the Czech hospitality industry in the post-pandemic era, as tourists have now become more demanding in several aspects, Czech restaurants owners have told EURACTIV.cz.
Czech expert: EU treaty change unlikely after Conference on the Future of Europe
The Conference on the Future of Europe will not lead to changes in the EU’s treaties because there is no consensus among member states for this, a Czech expert told EURACTIV.cz. The conference is a unique exercise allowing European citizens...
EU funds to help Ukraine refugees are insufficient, frontline countries warn
Frontline EU countries receiving Ukrainian refugees are warning that the bloc's current approach of loosening rules that govern structural fund spending in order to finance the influx of those fleeing the war will be insufficient in the long run.
Soviet war memorials take a hit across central and eastern Europe
Several cases of vandalism towards Soviet war memorials have been reported in central and eastern Europe as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While Russian embassies were outraged, national authorities were more understanding of perpetrators. In some cases,...
More data and awareness needed to fight Alzheimer’s disease, Czech experts say
Low public awareness and the fact that many patients consider dementia symptoms as signs of ageing are among the main obstacles of Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses in Czechia. The government has already adopted an action plan aiming for a change.
EU Commission joins Czechia in legal case over Polish coal mine
The European Commission has decided to join the Czech Republic in a bitter lawsuit against Poland over what plaintiffs say is an illegal extension of a license to operate the Turów coal mine near the Czech and German border.
Closing the Czech coal industry could cost 25,000 jobs
The Czech Republic is currently considering how best to use EU green funds to modernise its economy and secure just transition of its three coal mining regions. According to experts, the coal phase-out could result in the loss of 25,000 jobs, but investments in renewables can restore the balance.
Orban blocks harsh V4 declaration on Russia, accepts softer version
Visegrad countries approved an official statement on Monday condemning the recently revealed Russian military intelligence activities in Czechia, after rejecting a harsher version of the statement was deemed unacceptable by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
‘Contemptuous approach’: Czech farmers group quits EU association
The Czech farmers group APF CR has left the EU agricultural organisation COPA, accusing it of showing a “contemptuous approach" and lacking support for small farmers, an accusation refuted by other Czech farmers' groups.
REACT-EU to fund Czech healthcare instead of dressing rooms after criticism
After criticism from regional leaders, the Czech government overturned its decision to support local sports clubs with money from the REACT-EU emergency instrument. Instead, a large majority of the funds will go to the healthcare system, EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
V4 countries ambiguous about giving up health competencies to the EU
in spring 2020, the four Visegrad countries criticised the EU for not providing member states with masks and other equipment when the coronavirus pandemic started. Now they are blaming Brussels for the slow vaccine roll-out. At the same time, they h
Apple says it never discussed COVID-19 certificate app with WHO, EU
American multinational technology company Apple has never held talks with the World Health Organisation or the EU about the possibility to develop a COVID-19 vaccine certificate application, and has made clear it does not want to access private data from such an app, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
EU leaders take baby step toward vaccination certificate, fume at pharma industry
EU leaders decided at a teleconference on Thursday (25 February) to start working on a digital vaccination certificate now and start implementing it when there is sufficient number of EU citizens vaccinated.
Czech coal mining regions confronted with ‘hidden’ energy poverty
While Czech coal mining regions supply heat and electricity to the whole country, local people are often unable to afford heating their own homes, researchers say. More broadly, Czechia is struggling to meet its EU reporting obligations on energy poverty, an issue common to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
AstraZeneca approached Czechia with additional vaccine offer
Unhappy with the amount of COVID-19 vaccines delivered within the EU framework so far, the Czech government has launched separate talks with British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca while simultaneously mulling the possible purchase of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, the health ministry has said.