Following Czechia’s stint on the helm of the rotating European Council Presidency, Minister for European Affairs Mikuláš Bek known as it successful and proof the nation isn’t just a mere satellite tv for pc of Hungary.
“For a lot of of our European companions, the presidency is a stunning success. Expectations weren’t very excessive. The Czech Republic had a fame as a Hungarian satellite tv for pc on the periphery of Europe,” Bek mentioned through the press convention.
The earlier chief Andrej Babiš (ANO, RENEW), who dominated the nation until December 2021, was well-known for good ties together with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán. Nonetheless, these instances are over, Bek added.
Furthermore, the Czech Republic and Hungary had been shut allies throughout the Visegrad group, regional cooperation fashioned by Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The Czech Republic has typically sided with Hungary on the European Council’s summit, the place duo Babiš-Orbán a number of instances blocked the adoption of conclusions, for instance, in local weather, power or migration coverage.
He continued that it’s now time to “capitalise on all these achievements and experiences for the good thing about the Czech Republic.” For instance, the nation wish to enhance the illustration of Czechs in EU high jobs. Furthermore, higher communication of EU matters to the Czech public is required.
For his half, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) mentioned his nation had gained precious contacts, constructed a robust place within the EU, improved its fame, and is now thought-about a dependable companion and a big participant within the EU.
The Czech Republic chaired the Council of the EU within the second half of 2022. Throughout its presidency, EU member states reached a number of offers, together with these on €18 billion support for Ukraine, a gasoline value cap, company taxation, and freezing EU funds for Hungary.
Achievements of the Czech Republic had been additionally acknowledged by high EU officers. European Fee Vice-President Frans Timmermans mentioned the Czech EU Presidency “has been one of the vital profitable presidencies in the previous couple of many years.”
“Now we have gained respect, which we should use in future negotiations within the post-presidency interval,” Fiala mentioned.
(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
