The EU is the largest peace project in the history of the continent, membership in the Union and NATO is the basis of our freedom, prosperity and security, Pavel said at the conference. According to him, membership in the EU has enabled the Czech Republic to improve cities and villages, thanks to the funds railways and roads are being modernized, monuments are being restored and schools are being built.
“Let’s not be afraid to take more responsibility for Europe’s future. If we want to set the direction, we have to sit behind the wheel, not in the passenger seat,” Pavel stated. If the Czech Republic wants to play in the first league, the adoption of a common European currency is offered, the president thinks. According to Pavel, the experience of countries that have introduced it confirms that only those who do not have it are dissatisfied.
Among the challenges and problems of the EU, Pavel ranks especially unnecessary bureaucracy, cumbersomeness and often incomprehensibility. The president sees a big handicap in reducing differences in the quality of life in some regions. “I consider the balanced development of regions to be a long-term homework on which we must continue to work at all levels. The benefits of our membership should be felt by all citizens,” said Pavel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi also addressed the conference via video greeting. In his speech, he thanked his counterparts Pavlo and Steinmeier for helping the attacked country overcome Russian aggression.
According to him, being part of the EU is an honor and a dream for every nation. “I am sure that it will soon become a reality for Ukraine and for the Balkan nations, Moldova, Georgia. And that the day will come when Belarus will be able to choose its way to Europe,” Zelensky noted. He hopes that accession talks with Ukraine could begin as early as June.
“Our Europe is a voluntary union of nations, communities and millions of very different people. It is not a conspiracy of the most powerful few behind the nations backs. Europe is not something that can be imposed by propaganda or maintained by force. This is something that Moscow refuses to understand, and this is precisely what characterizes the eastern border of Europe.” said Zelensky.
According to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the European Union is not indestructible and needs to be protected. At a time when the war is back in Europe, according to him, it is necessary to act decisively and proceed together. Russia will test its unity, he added.
“States that want to live in peace can only respond in one way, and that is to support Ukraine,” Steinmeier said. According to him, strength lies in joint action. “We will not be exhausted or split,” stated “We must stand up and show strength, we must all be persistent together, solidarity has no expiration date,” he added. He also praised the Czech aid to Ukraine.
The Czech Republic is richer thanks to the EU, says Fiala
In the first part, entitled “The Czech Republic in the EU: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, alongside the Czech and German heads of state, Prime Minister Petr Fiala also spoke (ODS). According to him, EU membership contributed to the fact that the Czech Republic is a much richer country today. The EU gives the Czech Republic security guarantees and firmly anchors it in the West, Fiala said.
Fiala considers competitiveness and security, including energy, to be the current challenges in the EU. “Ukraine is fighting for its right to belong to our civilization, for its right to be free. At the same time, her struggle determines the security conditions in which we will live in the coming years,” he said.
Fiala appealed for independence in the so-called critical sectors. OFhe repeated Czech support for the enlargement of the EU to include the countries of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova. It stabilizes our neighborhood, he said at the conference.
President of the Lower Chamber Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) could not attend the event in person, so she greeted the guests present at least through a video greeting. According to her, Europe’s most fundamental priority must be security. The first step must be the defeat of Russia in Ukraine, said Pekarová Adamová at the conference.
The culmination of the events was the evening concert concert of the Czech Philharmonic in Prague’s Rudolfinum. In the escort of Eva’s wife came President Petr Pavel, and other constitutional officials were also there – Prime Minister Fiala, Speaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová, President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil and most of the ministers.
Ladies in Blue
Even before the concert, the President of the European Commission, Usrsula von der Leyen, praised the Czech aid to Ukraine. In her speech, she also stated that the Czech Republic participates in creating the future of the union. “For decades the Iron Curtain kept us all on their side, but the Velvet Revolution brought you back to Europe,” recalled von der Leyenwho greeted the listeners in Czech and also remembered former dissident and president Václav Havel. She pointed out that she did not want to recall what twenty-year membership in the union meant for the Czech Republic. “After all, you see it every day. You attract tourists from all over the world, investors from all over Europe and you export five times more than 20 years ago,” she listed.
According to the President of the EC, Europe strengthened the Czech Republic, and the Czech Republic, on the other hand, strengthened Europe, for which, according to her, the fight for freedom was an inspiration. “I want to thank the Czech nation for your contribution to the formation of our current union,” she said.
A number of ladies, including Leyenová, Pekarová or Avla, bet on the color blue in the evening. The president of the European Commission chose a light blue dress, Pekarová Adamová a dark blue one, the first lady complemented the blue skirt with a white top.
Tags: Celebrating years Czech Republic Pavel talked euro Fiala rich evening memory Havel ladies blue
-
