About: Czech
Czech PM: Visegrad Group ‘not a Masonic Lodge’
Petr Ne?as, the Czech Republic's new prime minister, has defended regular talks between his country, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, saying closer cooperation between Central European states is a legitimate component of EU integration. He spoke to EURACTIV.cz in an exclusive interview.
Czechs prepare for major job market reforms
The Czech labour market was hit hard by the economic crisis and the new government will need to implement key reforms if the country is to achieve its employment target under the 'Europe 2020' strategy. EURACTIV.cz reports from Prague.
Education targets ‘won’t be a problem’ for Czechs
Education, one of the five headline targets of the EU's 'Europe 2020' strategy, is not worrying the Czech Republic - its national targets seem attainable. Yet during the negotiation process, Prague repeatedly stressed that the EU-wide targets must respect the existing absorption capacity of the market. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Experts: New Czech government is ‘mildly Eurosceptic’
The new Czech government, led by Petr Ne?as, was appointed yesterday (13 July) after a month of difficult coalition talks. Commenting on the coalition agreement, analysts warned of recurrent Euroscepticism, but said this would perhaps take a more mild form than in the previous cabinet. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Czechs under fire over EU climate target
Both ecologists and companies investing in renewable energies have criticised the approach of the Czech government towards the 20/20/20 climate goals in the EU's 'Europe 2020' strategy. While ecologists blame the government for loosening rules on energy efficiency in buildings, it stands accused by companies of favouring large combustion plants over smaller renewable sources. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Czechs ready to spend 3% of GDP on R&D
Applying the EU's target of raising investment in R&D to 3% of GDP by 2020 is seen in the Czech Republic as attainable, even at national level. Surprisingly, the caretaker government proposed a 2.7% national target, higher than the more modest 2.3% proposed by the European Commission. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Czech elections: Towards renewed deadlock?
On 28 and 29 May, parliamentary elections will be held in the Czech Republic. Along with the conservatives, social democrats and communists, two new parties will almost certainly get to the lower house of parliament. Yet the elections will probably lead to renewed deadlock, experts predict. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Quality of life greater concern to Czechs than poverty
The Czech Republic has been a democratic country for twenty years and an EU member state for six. Although it still faces social problems, the situation is improving and the country is in a relatively good situation compared to older member states. EURACTIV.cz reports on the country's efforts to fight poverty.
Czech energy giant slowly turning green
The Czech Republic's leading power company, ?EZ, has promised to turn to energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly projects, but local NGOs say it must still improve its green energy strategy. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
EU leaders ink Czech Lisbon Treaty guarantees
European leaders struck a deal yesterday (29 October) on guarantees to be offered to the Czech Republic on the Lisbon Treaty, paving the way for completing ratification of the most comprehensive reform of the EU institutions in recent history. EURACTIV Czech Republic contributed to this article.
Czech hurdles to delay EU leaders’ decision on top jobs
The European Union is likely to put off a decision on appointing a president this week because of a delay in ratifying the treaty that creates the post, EU foreign ministers said yesterday (26 October) ahead of this week's summit in Brussels.
Czech president happy with guarantees on EU treaty
Czech President Václav Klaus is satisfied with a proposal by the European Union's Swedish EU Presidency addressing his demands to modify the EU's Lisbon Treaty, his office said today (23 October).
Speculation mounts over next Czech commissioner
Speculation is growing in the Czech Republic over the identity of the country's next European commissioner, with incumbent Vladimir Špidla, former Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek and former Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs Alexandr Vondra among the leading candidates. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Sweden plans October summit on top EU jobs
Provided that the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by then, the 29-30 October European summit in Brussels will discuss nominations to all EU top jobs, including a high-profile permanent EU president and foreign policy czar, the Swedish EU Presidency said yesterday (1 September).
Verhofstadt sees three scenarios for Barroso
Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the European Liberals, has suggested three scenarios for the election of the next Commission president, one of which sees the European Parliament rejecting José Manuel Barroso's candidacy, EURACTIV has learned.
The EU elections in the Czech Republic
Amid gloomy EU surveys on voter turnout, recent opinion polls suggest that the Czech Republic could beat the odds with as many as 50% of registered voters planning to cast their ballot, or twice as much as during the last elections in 2004. Meanwhile, the economic crisis, energy issues and the future of the EU are predominant topics in all the parties' campaigns.
Fischer to be appointed new Czech prime minister
Czech President Václav Klaus will appoint non-partisan Jan Fischer as prime minister today (9 April), ending a political crisis that toppled the minority centre-right cabinet and undermined the country's EU presidency. Meanwhile, the Czech upper house is expected to vote on the bloc's Lisbon Treaty by early May.
Czech govt to step down before end of EU presidency
Ousted Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek said his government would step down before the end of the country's EU presidency in June, with technocrats taking over. Meanwhile, the parliament's upper house will vote on the Lisbon Treaty by early May and the chances of approval are relatively high, said politicians.
Interview: Czech government ‘not fighting for survival’
The EU doesn't need to worry about internal political in-fighting in the Czech Republic during its upcoming presidency of the bloc as the country has seen much worse in times past, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek told EURACTIV Czech Republic in an exclusive interview.Czechs dilute EU presidency message, logo
The logo of the Czech EU Presidency and its accompanying motto 'Europe without barriers' were officially unveiled this week in what appears to be something of a retreat from a previous message, 'We'll make it sweet for Europe'.
Czech Minister: ‘More liberal, open and flexible’ CAP required
A thorough reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is necessary to allow the EU to respond more effectively to rising food prices and internal pressures, according to Ivo Hlavac, the Czech state secretary in charge of agriculture, who spoke to EURACTIV France in an interview.
Interview: ‘More liberal, open and flexible’ CAP required
A thorough reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is necessary to allow the EU to respond more effectively to rising food prices and internal pressures, according to Ivo Hlavac, the Czech state secretary in charge of agriculture, who spoke to EURACTIV France in an interview.
Vondra: ‘Europe without barriers’ top priority for Czech Presidency
Completing the internal market for labour, goods and services will be a priority for the Czech Republic when it assumes the six-month rotating presidency of the EU in January 2009 on the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain, Czech Vice-Premier and EU Affairs Minister Alexandr Vondra told EURACTIV France in an interview.