We asked Head of State of the Czech Republic several questions:
Q.1 It has been mentioned in the EC that the UK views the EU as a purely economic union. What, in your opinion, is the degree of unity within the European Union?
A: In times of crisis assuring a high degree of unity is a challenge, but it does not mean that it is impossible. The UK, just as most of the EU member states, faces a challenging period.
However, the Czech Republic confides that the European Union is more to Europe than an economic union. The European community started back in 1950s as a group of countries aspiring for greater economic union with mutual benefits.
Today, the Czech Republic, in a view of the past 50 years, aspires for an even closer union and the European Union with strong political leverage. Unity in diversity is what characterizes the European Union. The UK, as usual, is dissonant with the latter principle, however, it is precisely this aspect that makes European Union united and incomparable to any of other international entity. Therefore, consider that there is a degree of unity in diversity.
Q.2. What is the position of the Czech Republic towards current negotiation concerning also Visegrad partners?
A: Czech Republic is willing to express determination to embrace enlargement towards the Western Balkans in the next 10 years. Visegrad group made actual political and financial steps towards situation in the Western Balkan region. Czech Republic possesses social, cultural and business interest in the region alongside with other EU Member States.
We would like to display our dissatisfaction with discouraging voices, which are based on populist and demagogic manner missing argumentation basis. EU is becoming an exclusivist, Christian and an selective club. This is a message not to be sent to Western Balkan region.
Q.3: Despite the optimistic position presented by the Czech Republic, internal policy concerning visa and migration is remaining one of the strongest in the EU. Is not an upcoming enlargement challenge towards changes?
Visa and migration policy is still remaining an important internal issue. Under the Czech presidency were made crucial steps on the EU level towards liberalization of this area concerning 4 Western Balkan countries.
Even Czech Republic is not changing rapidly their internal policy steps are made at the EU level. Support to enlargement process remains strong.
By Michaela Repiska
Q.1 It has been mentioned in the EC that the UK views the EU as a purely economic union. What, in your opinion, is the degree of unity within the European Union?
A: In times of crisis assuring a high degree of unity is a challenge, but it does not mean that it is impossible. The UK, just as most of the EU member states, faces a challenging period.
However, the Czech Republic confides that the European Union is more to Europe than an economic union. The European community started back in 1950s as a group of countries aspiring for greater economic union with mutual benefits.
Today, the Czech Republic, in a view of the past 50 years, aspires for an even closer union and the European Union with strong political leverage. Unity in diversity is what characterizes the European Union. The UK, as usual, is dissonant with the latter principle, however, it is precisely this aspect that makes European Union united and incomparable to any of other international entity. Therefore, consider that there is a degree of unity in diversity.
Q.2. What is the position of the Czech Republic towards current negotiation concerning also Visegrad partners?
A: Czech Republic is willing to express determination to embrace enlargement towards the Western Balkans in the next 10 years. Visegrad group made actual political and financial steps towards situation in the Western Balkan region. Czech Republic possesses social, cultural and business interest in the region alongside with other EU Member States.
We would like to display our dissatisfaction with discouraging voices, which are based on populist and demagogic manner missing argumentation basis. EU is becoming an exclusivist, Christian and an selective club. This is a message not to be sent to Western Balkan region.
Q.3: Despite the optimistic position presented by the Czech Republic, internal policy concerning visa and migration is remaining one of the strongest in the EU. Is not an upcoming enlargement challenge towards changes?
Visa and migration policy is still remaining an important internal issue. Under the Czech presidency were made crucial steps on the EU level towards liberalization of this area concerning 4 Western Balkan countries.
Even Czech Republic is not changing rapidly their internal policy steps are made at the EU level. Support to enlargement process remains strong.
By Michaela Repiska