The Czech Presidency of the European Union: A Return to Roots

Lately, people have been asking me (both at home and abroad) about the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the European Union (EU). I realise that a country, irrespective of its size, has limited possibilities for setting its own priorities for the Presidency. The EU follows its own path, and changing that within a mere six months is as impossible as turning a supertanker around in one hundred meters.

Nevertheless, we know that ideas have consequences. To be sure, during its Presidency the Czech Republic will need to address the matters already planned for the period. As to our own priorities, summarised by the motto ‘Europe without barriers’, there will be very little time and room to address them. What we want to influence is much more long-term in nature. We want to turn our attention to values that form the foundations of the EU — values that, for the past 50 years, have resulted in prosperity and security and are key to solving both the problems of today and those of the future.