Archive: European Union | European Commission European Commission
Czech specialties prove popular in European Parliament canteen
Marks of the Czech Republic’s EU presidency can be found all over
Brussels, from David Černý’s controversial sculpture ‘Entropa’
hanging in the council’s Justus Lipsius building, right down to the food
on offer in the European Parliament’s canteen. On Thursday, parliament
employees were treated to the first in a series of special Czech dishes
–
I went along to wish them a bon apetit, or should that be
dobrou chut’? More
Klaus steps into lion’s den with speech attacking “democratic deficit” in EP
The Czech president Václav Klaus addressed the European Parliament on
Thursday morning, in a keenly-anticipated appearance that disappointed
neither the president’s critics, nor his supporters. Eurosceptic MEPs
rose to their feet and applauded as Mr Klaus attacked the “democratic
deficit” that he said plagued the European Union, while pro-integration
parliamentarians booed, whistled, and even walked out.
More
European Parliament officials visit Prague in first Czech EU presidency event
Less than a month before it is due to take up the EU presidency, Prague
hosted the first event linked to its new role. The President of the
European Parliament, along with the heads of the Parliament’s political
groups, came to Prague to discuss the Czech agenda for Europe, with the
Lisbon treaty high on the list.
More
MEP Vladimír Železný: EU resembles our communist past
Before becoming a Member of the European Parliament, our guest today had
long been an established public figure in the Czech Republic. He was
co-founder of one of the most successful television channels in Central
and
Eastern Europe, TV Nova, serving as the channel’s CEO for nine years. In
2002 he was elected senator for the region of Znojmo, before becoming a
member of European Parliament in 2004. In this edition of One on One, we
talk to Vladimír Želený. More
Preparations for EU presidency in full swing
The Czech Republic is to take up the EU presidency in January of next year
and preparations are in full swing to make sure that everyone - at every
level - is fully equipped for what is undoubtedly the biggest diplomatic
challenge in the country’s modern history. Last week cabinet ministers
themselves underwent two days of training with EU pros.
More
Czech PM tells European Nuclear Energy Forum: nuclear power will help us meet set targets
Addressing a two-day meeting of the European Nuclear Energy Forum in Prague
on Thursday, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek urged Europe to look to
nuclear power as a realistic means of fighting climate change. Although the
prime minister’s speech met with approval from many of the delegates
present, it evoked an angry response from the Greens in the governing
coalition who have been doing their utmost to put a brake on nuclear energy
in the Czech Republic.
More
Czech Republic may be fined for its high noise levels
The European Commission has taken an interest in the high noise levels
Czechs are subjected to across the country. From noisy roads to squeaky
trains, apparently hundreds of thousands of people in the country are
suffering. Now, the European Commission has set a deadline for the country
to act.
More
Under EC proposal Czech Republic to double “green energy” production by 2020
On Wednesday, the European Commission made public its planned reforms in
its fight against climate change. The proposed measures are aimed to help
the EU slash greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020, as well as to
increase reliance on green energy. Under the measures the Czech Republic,
for example, will have to more than double energy production from
renewable
sources. More
Czechs vs. Slovaks: The 'Diplomatic War' over sausages
Smoked meats have for years been a favourite part of the Czech diet, and
the varieties and producers are numerous. But if producers of cold meat in
Slovakia have their way, Czech manufacturers of famous foodstuffs like
"Lovecky salam" (a type of salami) and Spekacky (much-loved
campfire sausages) could soon be facing a stark choice: change your
methods, or change the names of your products. Slovak manufacturers,
following new regulations on foodstuffs within the European Union, have
sent an application to Brussels to have nine types of cold meat registered
as traditional products of their nation. If approved, the motion could have
a damaging impact on Czech agricultural produce.
More
European Commission criticises Czech Republic over public deficit
It came as no surprise on Wednesday but that took no edge of the news: the
European Commission's issuing of a warning to the Czech Republic for not
doing enough to rein in its public deficit. With an increase in
expenditures the Czech Republic is set this year to miss the EU's mark of
keeping the deficit below 3 percent of the GDP as part of its convergence
requirements.
More
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