Czech Presidency in the media
How do the world media report on the Czech EU Presidency? Read the articles we have selected for you.
18.5.2009
Le Figaro: Different reason for euro-scepticism
In the context of the upcoming European Parliament elections the French Conservative daily Le Figaro published the results of a survey of the situation in all EU Member States. The main question respondents were asked was whether the EU in the context of the current globalisation represents an opportunity or a threat. The survey shows that the citizens of the Czech Republic were one of the most optimistic. 67% of respondent said that they see the EU as an opportunity, whereas only 45% of the Slovaks feel this way. Le Figaro claims that the survey shows that geographical arguments are insufficient to measure euro-scepticism in some European countries.
14.5.2009
Le Monde: EU reverts to Nabucco to circumvent Russia
The French daily Le Monde has published an analysis on the Southern Corridor Summit in Prague by leading French political journalist Natalie Nougayrède. She describes the summit as successful in several respects. The Czech Presidency, which focuses on energy security as one of its priorities, is making efforts to push through the Southern Corridor project connecting Europe to gas fields in the Caspian Sea. European diplomats believe that this project seems to be most favoured by Turkmenistan. According to an expert from the Paris-based International Energy Agency, it is also important that Azerbaijan has been won over for the project – gaining control over its gas reserves would be the last step for Moscow to dominate the energy potential of the Caspian Sea. Five months after the Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis, the summit re-launched the project of the Nabucco gas pipeline, which is intended to circumvent Russia and is the object of a number of diplomatic battles.
Le Figaro: Klaus desists from presiding over European Council
The French conservative daily Le Figaro brought a much-awaited piece of news on who will chair the June European Council. Le Figaro informs that according to an agreement between Prague Castle and the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, the Council meeting will be presided over by the head of the executive, i.e. Prime Minister Jan Fischer.
Luc Rosenzweig, former editor of the French daily Le Monde, in an article in the Czech weekly Reflex: “Thank you, Czechs!”
“The Czechs took over the helm of the EU in stormy weather. There was a global economic crisis, a new President in the White House, the operation Cast Lead in Gaza and other conflicts. Critics from the European Commission and some irate countries, including France, keep repeating that the Czech Republic was unprepared to address these issues. Not only do they have an ardent Europhobe, Václav Klaus, as their President, but the Czechs also managed to run into a severe government crisis in the middle of their Presidency. And that is not all. Instead of following the example of the Slovene Presidency, which didn’t even scratch its head without asking Paris for permission to do so, they had the nerve to use the Presidency to present their own opinions. (…)
The behaviour of the Czech Presidency during the recent UN human rights conference in the style “I use absurdity to show how blatantly ludicrous the situation is” (in the manner of the brave soldier Švejk), was also exemplary.
(…) So this baroque Presidency was a blessing. Never before have we seen the EU work with similar transparency. Thank you, Czechs!”
13.5.2009
Die Süddeutsche Zeitung: We aim to settle the damages
“We are aware that there are doubts whether we can conclude the Czech Presidency effectively,” stated Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout in an interview in the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. He further addressed the issue of the Lisbon Treaty, the new referendum in Ireland and the Czech President, Václav Klaus.
Sme: Fischer already leads Europe. He won its trust.
Slovakian daily Sme brought an article with information on the first visit of the new Czech Prime Minister, Jan Fischer, to Brussels where he was received very well due to his support of the Lisbon Treaty, in spite of the fact that he “lacks experience in politics”.
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