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Priorities of Czech Presidency over European union introduced: Economy, Energy and EU in the World
14.01.2009, 15:31
As published on the internet page of the Delegation of the EC to the Republic of Croatia, economy, energy and EU in the world are the three priorities of Czech presidency over European Union. Czech ambassador to Croatia Karel Kühnl made a detailed presentation of these priorities at the press conference that took place in the EU Information Centre on 13 January, 2009. Head of European Commission Delegation Vincent Degert.
Czech presidency over the European Union is taking place in a very intensive period of global economic crisis and deceleration of economic growth, institutional challenges primarily connected with the ratification of the Lisbon Accord and the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament in spring this year. In cooperation with the preceding French presidency and forthcoming Swedish presidency, Czech presidency will offer in next six months possible solutions for the financial crisis in order to avoid excessive regulation of the market and state protectionism, improve European competitiveness, fully apply all freedoms within the EU's internal market and accelerate development, research and foreign trade. In the field of energy supply, besides dealing with current energy crisis and shortage of energy products, Czech Republic plans to convert into reality the cooperation among energy suppliers and stimulate environmental protection. The continuity of the EU presidency also includes developing relations with the USA, China and Russia, developing dialogue with Israel, developing partnerships with neighboring countries and enlargement of the EU.
Continued development of negotiations between Croatia and EU is also among the priorities of Czech presidency. As ambassador Kühnl pointed out, Czech Republic supports Croatia by providing assistance and sharing experience in implementation of the reforms required for accession to the EU.
"It is our opinion that Republic of Croatia has made good progress in the past year and intensive steps have also been taken on administrative and parliamentary levels. Croatia has the potential to complete the negotiations by the end of 2009. Czech Prime Minister Topolanek has been included in Croatia's negotiations for a while. One of the tasks of our presidency is to provide neutral space for finding a solution to the blockade of a sort that Croatia has encountered in its negotiations with the EU. Since the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia is not a part of the EU's acquis communautaire, the Union must leave the two countries to make a final decision themselves. There are no reasons that the bilateral negotiations should postpone Croatia's accession to the European Union. We will do what the French did during their EU presidency; we will try to create an opportunity and a position acceptable for both sides", said Czech ambassador to Croatia Karel Kühnl.
Asked by the press whether Czech presidency over EU would support future meetings of Slovenian and Croatian Prime Ministers Pahor and Sanader, Czech ambassador said that the meeting is the business of the two governments, not of Czech presidency; however, should both sides so request, Czech presidency would help in resolving of the border dispute. "We cannot take sides in this problem, but any meeting that could bring results is welcome", said Czech ambassador Karel Kühnl.
Head of the EC Delegation Degert pointed out that the forthcoming EU presidency is exceptionally demanding for Czech Republic because it is a time of exceptional challenges. This includes the pre-accession negotiations with Croatia. This country must not reduce the intensity of the efforts it invests in the negotiations because they are not connected with the border dispute problem.