The Czech Republic is ready

The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU is planning to actively promote its three main priorities – the Economy, Energy and External Relations – and to lead the debate on Europe, states Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek in a talk for our website.

Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the
Czech Republic - new President of
the European Council
© Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

Prime Minister, how ready is the Czech Republic to take on the responsibility that its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union represents?

I can honestly say that the Czech Republic is ready to chair the Council of the European Union and, in addition to promoting European priorities, which are also Czech priorities, to lead the debate on current problems. After many decades, my country has the opportunity to participate in shaping European and global policies.

The catchphrase that expresses the philosophy of the Czech Presidency is "Europe without barriers". In your opinion, what barriers within the "twenty-seven" and in their relations with third countries could be removed?

We wish to promote to the full extent the Union's four fundamental freedoms – the free movement of goods, capital, labour and services. We must reduce the bureaucratic burden on enterprises and seek to make progress in the arduous discussions on the liberalisation of international trade in the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

As the main priorities of its Presidency, the Czech Republic has set itself the "3Es": the Economy, Energy and External Relations". In terms of added value, how can the Czech Presidency contribute to resolving the financial crisis and the economic downturn?

In my view, the ability to moderate the European debate and find compromises between the positions of the Member States is the priority. Our added value could be our experience of the financial crisis in the Czech Republic in 1997-1998. At present we have a single powerful financial markets regulator. Rather than wishing to tackle the overall financial architecture of the EU, we will recommend that individual Member States take measures within their own territories. Some actually have as many as seven different financial services regulators. The financial crisis showed that it was considerably more effective to have a single national regulator. Further potential added value lies in our readiness for talks on new Union directives on capital requirements and on the SOLVENCY II arrangements for the insurance sector. The advice of the World Bank has just been put to the test in the Czech Republic. We share the European Commission's view that the financial crisis cannot be resolved by breaking economic competition rules.

The rules must apply not only in the good times but also – and possibly even more – in the bad times. The Czech Republic will want extraordinary measures to combat the crisis in the EU to be temporary rather than permanent and subject to all the rules that the Union has laid down or is yet to lay down.

As the Czech Republic has not yet introduced the euro, will not participation in Euro group activities prove an obstacle for the Presidency?

I do not see this as a problem. I agreed with Nicolas Sarkozy and Jean-Claude Juncker that for the period of the Czech Presidency we will be normal participants at Eurogroup meetings. The Czech Republic already took part at the G20 summit in Washington in November 2008 and will represent the EU at the G20 meeting in London in April 2009. This shows that there is no obstacle and that we are seen as a fully fledged participant in economic discussions. Even the large EU Member States realise that the unity of the system would be eroded if the Presidency of a small or a new Member State were for some reason called into question. Apart from some of the media, there is no significant voice to be heard casting doubt on the Czech Presidency.

In its second priority, Energy, the Czech Republic lays emphasis on strengthening energy security by diversification of sources. What do you propose?

Firstly, an analysis of energy supply and demand in the EU. Secondly, more intensive EU-wide cooperation in the energy sector, including better network interconnections. Thirdly, cooperation with third countries and diversification of energy sources, including debates on nuclear energy.

You identify the continuing integration of countries of the Western Balkans in the EU, the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation and the development of an Eastern Partnership as key elements of the Czech Presidency's third priority, namely External Relations. What initiatives is the Czech Presidency going to put forward?

The Western Balkans is an absolute priority for the Czech Presidency in the external relations field. We intend to contribute to the unblocking of the problem of the sea border between Slovenia and Croatia and we hope to open some of the blocked chapters in the discussions on Croatia's accession to the EU. We will take part in the discussions on concluding the mandate of the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will certainly have to contend with the situation in Kosovo and with the issue of the deployment of the EULEX mission. We hope for progress in negotiations with Serbia. On 15 December 2008, Montenegro applied for entry to the EU. During the Czech Presidency a certain lack of enthusiasm for the enlargement of the EU in the region has to be overcome. Croatia should inspire Serbia. The whole region should gradually become integrated into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. That would create hope that this sensitive region of Europe will become more peaceful and that the friction that historically has erupted into bloody conflicts can be set aside.

As for transatlantic relations, most new EU Member States consider them the absolute guarantee of their security and prosperity. The Czech Republic is no exception. We want to be part of Barack Obama's visit to Europe. We are discussing the idea that after the G20 meeting in London and the NATO summit in Strasbourg and Kehl, there could be a meeting of the 27 with the new American President in Prague. At the end of the Czech Presidency, on 18-22 June 2009, a transatlantic summit is due to be held in Washington. There is also a need to prepare, with the USA, the agenda for the Copenhagen climate summit in December 2009. We intend to consider the question of complementarity between EU and US military capabilities. Afghanistan will surely come up for discussion.

We hope to hold a summit on the Eastern Partnership on 7 May 2009. Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown have already promised to take part, so it will be a worthwhile meeting and, following the development of the southern dimension of EU external relations, we will be starting up the eastern dimension. This eastern dimension of EU policy is no less important than the southern dimension – on which we agreed with the French President.

Is the Czech administration well prepared both for the Presidency of the Council of the EU and for any unexpected crisis in Europe and the world?

The government began preparing as far back as 2006. More than 1 500 people will be working for the Presidency. The number of staff at the permanent representation in Brussels has doubled to 220.

The conflict in Georgia and the financial crisis changed the planned agenda of the French Presidency. We take into account that we too may face some unexpected event. If so, then besides organisational and moderating capacities, the Czech Presidency will have to show flexibility and a capacity to react rapidly. The Czechs are known for just that.