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After the end of the Cold War, membership in the European Union (EU) was one of the most important goals of Czech foreign policy. As early as 1993, the Czech Republic concluded an association agreement with the European Union, and accession negotiations began in 1998, ending with EU membership in 2004. Prior to that, 77 % of the Czech pop- ulation voted in favor of EU accession in a referendum. Although the country is now regarded as an EU-sceptical nation in the community, approval ratings for the European alliance of states have recently risen again since the ongoing Corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine. On July 01, 2022, the Czech Republic will assume the rotating EU Council presidency for the second time. This will give Prague a decisive role in shaping the EU agenda for six months. Post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and addressing the resulting economic consequences, EU energy security, strengthening the alliance's defense capabilities, and cybersecurity are the five priorities of the upcoming Czech presidency, which will be themed "Europe as a task." Influenced by the new geopolitical and security situation, the Czech EU Presidency also aims to push ahead with the implementation of the Strategic Compass, the EU's military strategy. In particular, Prague wants to accelerate discussions on two drafts included in the Strategic Compass (EU Hybrid Toolbox & EU Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Toolbox).

How should we evaluate the EU-Czech Republic relations? Which role the Czech Republic has for the EU? Where does the Czech Republic stand today as an EU member state? Are the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council feasible? What does the Ukraine-War mean for the Czech Republic’s future in the EU?

The event „KAS Europe Talks: EU-Czech Republic relations between the Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Ukraine-War” will take place on Friday, 01st July 2022, from 10:00-11:00 Uhr CET via Zoom. We are looking forward to debate the above-mentioned topics with our colleague Tomislav Delinić, Director of the Czech and Slovak Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. After the discussion between Mr. Delinić and Dr. Hardy Ostry, Director of the European Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the audience will have the opportunity to raise their questions in the conversation. The event will be held in German and will also be simultaneously translated into English.

For registration, please use this LINK.

We are looking forward to your participation!

Here you will find the program for download: Programme 22-07-01 KAS Europe Talks (Czech Republic).pdf