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Current AffairsThree years on from EU accession - have Czech expectations been met?
It has been three years this week since the Czech Republic joined the
European Union. In terms of satisfaction with EU membership, latest
opinion polls suggest that Czechs are more sceptical than the average EU
citizen. But on the political front, two thirds of the population say they
trust legislators in Brussels more than in the Czech Republic. I spoke to
David Kral from the European policy think tank Europeum to find out how
the country has fared in the last three years:
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Business NewsBusiness News
In Business News: Czech firms are to pay out their highest dividends ever,
but most of the money could flow out of the country; over 30 international
firms have opened development or distribution centres in the Czech Republic
in the last year; Skype is opening a programming centre in Prague's
revitalised Karlin district; inspectors find numerous shortcomings at
Czech internet retailers; and the Czech economy is one of the most 'energy
demanding' in the EU.
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Current AffairsCzechs soften approach to EU treaty but insist on dropping the "C" word
The Czech government appeared to soften its approach to a new European
constitution this week - provided the EU doesn't call it that. This week
the cabinet - dominated by the staunchly anti-federalist Civic Democrats -
approved a fresh negotiating strategy, which appears to be a departure from
its previously uncompromising stance. But as Rob Cameron reports, just
don't mention the 'C' word.
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Business NewsBusiness News
In business news this week: management and trade unions at Skoda Mlada
Boleslav resolve long-standing pay dispute. The state-controlled Czech
airline CSA reports another rise in passenger traffic in the first quarter
and, the world-famous fashion brand Giorgio Armani may have its suits made
at Czech clothing producer OP Prostejov.
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Talking PointFuture climate change policy discussed in Prague
Scientific evidence that climate change is caused by human activity has
boosted ongoing efforts to address the problem. Now the focus is primarily
on what will happen after 2012 when the validity of the Kyoto Protocol, an
international treaty designed to limit global greenhouse gas emissions,
expires. Last week representatives of the EU, the World Bank and the new
EU member states met in Prague to discuss the challenges ahead.
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Current AffairsClimate change high on agenda as British Deputy PM John Prescott visits Prague
The environment was high on the agenda during a short visit to Prague by
British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. He launched a youth forum on
climate change, and also discussed the subject with Czech Prime Minister
Mirek Topolanek and Foreign Minister Alexandr Vondra. Other issues
discussed included the Czech Republic's presidency of the European Union
in the first half of 2009. Mr Prescott spoke briefly to the media on
Wednesday, and was first asked whether he was aware of Czech President
Vaclav Klaus's skepticism as to whether mankind is responsible for global
warming.
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Current AffairsSlivovice: traditional Moravian spirit is under threat from EU bureaucrats
Anyone who's been to Moravia will most probably have sampled a glass of
slivovice, the potent clear spirit usually made from plums, which is
synonymous with the region and which the local inhabitants are extremely
proud of. Although many Moravians distill their own slivovice, there are
also a handful of Czech firms who sell it on the Czech market, but this
might be about to change. A new proposed regulation before the European
Parliament could mean that these distilleries might not be able to call
their product slivovice in the future.
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