“Ukraine is fighting for its right to belong to our civilization, for its right to be free, and at the same time, its fight will decide the security conditions in which we will live,” the Prime Minister declared.
In addition to the threat from the Russians, Europe must take care of its energy security and diversify its sources. According to Fiala, it is essential that “it is not dependent on dangerous regimes”.
According to Fiala, the Union should also be independent in production in critical sectors such as medicines and chips. “We need to reduce our dependence on a single source country. Although we cannot manufacture everything in Europe, we must not rely on a single supplier, which in this case is China,” warned Fiala.
Telička: Membership in the Union is an anchor for us, but we have not used the potential
Economy
The prime minister also sees a risk in illegal migration, which puts pressure on Europe. “This problem is not going away, so it is good that member states are looking for a solution. The migration pact is halfway there, and that won’t be enough. A common European solution is necessary, but it must be bolder and deeper,” thinks the Prime Minister.
Just as the Union expanded twenty years ago to include the Czech Republic and nine other states, in the future, according to Fiala, the countries of the Western Balkans, i.e. Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, should also have a chance to join the Union, but also Moldova and Ukraine.
“Let’s give them this chance and take advantage of the opportunities it will bring,” urged Fiala. He believes that this step is ultimately also a security necessity for the Union. “Any other option is worse for them and for us,” he thinks.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are official candidate countries. Accession negotiations on several chapters were started with Montenegro and Serbia, negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia began in July 2022, Kosovo applied for membership in December 2022.
The Czech Republic will abstain from the final vote on the migration pact
Homemade
We do not compete in the second league, says Fiala
According to Fiala, the Czech Republic should give up labels such as “new member state” or “post-communist state” after twenty years. “We use it as an excuse,” thinks the prime minister.
“Today we are not competing in some other league, in some category of our own, today we are comparing ourselves to the best,” he added.
According to Fiala, the Union is significantly changing the Czech Republic. According to Fiala, the Czech Republic is a richer country thanks to EU membership, it provides a security guarantee and anchors us in the West.
Senate President Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) also called for more help to Ukraine and other candidate countries. “Aren’t we overstepping too much?” he asked.
“The EU of tomorrow must be more independent. It must return to its roots and not lose sight of its original purpose and values. To build a safe space, a space without fear,” he added.
The Czech Republic joined the EU on May 1, 2004, when the citizens agreed to join in a referendum a year earlier. At that time, the Union also expanded to include Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Estonia.
Celebrating the anniversary of joining the EU: people picnicked with European politicians at the border
Homemade
