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EU entry: Three years on

Since 2004, the ČR has made its mark and ruffled some feathers

By Hilda Hoy
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
May 9th, 2007 issue

DANA WILSON/The Prague Post
Karel Koželuh waves an EU flag during a rally held at Wenceslas Square before the June 2003 referendum on joining the economic bloc.
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In May 2004, the Czech Republic celebrated its entry into the European Union with parties and a grand fireworks display on Prague’s Letná Park.
Now, at the three-year anniversary mark, the hangover from those celebrations lingers as the country continues its sometimes-rocky adjustment to life within the EU.
President Václav Klaus, a staunch nationalist and unabashed opponent of increased European integration, is the outward face of the Czech Republic on the European stage. He’s made himself known as one of Europe’s best-known Euroskeptics, which hasn’t always reflected well on his country, says Hugo Brady, research fellow at the London-based Centre for European Reform.
States joining the EU tend to follow one of two trajectories, Brady says. Some “bring a prickly nationalism to the table [and] demand their national rights,” he says. The Czech Republic, like neighboring Poland, falls into this category. Other countries that joined in 2004, such as Slovenia, have been more cautious and easily placated.
This prickliness has not gone unnoticed. “The Czech Republic is very complicated to read [and] is a complex creature regarding its European credentials,” Brady says.
A troublemaker?
Despite its reputation, the Czech Republic is not as EU-unfriendly as many might think, argues David Král, director of the Prague-based EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy.
“Sometimes, the Czech Republic is put in the same ‘troublemaker’ basket as Poland because of Klaus,” he says. “The perception in Europe has been influenced by Klaus’ statements. … But I think the government is somewhere else. If you look at [Prime Minister Mirek] Topolánek and [European Affairs Minister Alexandr] Vondra, I don’t think they can be labeled as Euroskeptics.”
Nor can the Czech citizenry. Comprehensive analysis by the Eurobarometer agency shows public opinion on satisfaction with the EU here is about average for the union, Král says.
“Czech people are generally not Euroskeptic, [and] the overall picture is that support for the EU is pretty stable,” he says.
The current governing coalition, which brings the pro-EU Green Party into the Cabinet, will also help soften lingering skepticism. Overall, Král says, “Integration into the EU has been quite smooth.”
Over the past three years, several key EU issues have kept Czech politicians busy:
Constitution
■ Czech politicians have been staunch opponents of an EU constitution. Preceding ceremonies in Berlin this March marking the EU’s 50th anniversary, Klaus balked at signing a declaration pledging further commitment to EU issues, including a constitution. When overt mention of a constitution was removed, Klaus signed
■ On April 27, Czech representatives in constitutional negotiations presented a milder-than-expected position that includes dropping overt mention of the word “constitution” and scrapping the idea of a European anthem. “The government has finally taken a more sensible approach … [and] realized the constitution is not so bad after all,” Král says
Currency
■ Adoption of the euro was originally slated for 2010. Now, the earliest that could happen is 2012, the Finance Ministry said May 3. First, the Czech Republic is required to pass economic reforms in order to reduce the public finance deficit
■ Slovenia, which also joined the EU in 2004, adopted the euro this year. Slovakia plans to adopt it in 2009
Labor
■ Unlike citizens from older EU member countries, Czechs are still required to obtain permits to work in six EU states, including Germany and Austria. Last month, the Netherlands announced it would open its labor market to Czechs
■ The Czech Republic does not require work permits from citizens of any EU member state, including Romania and Bulgaria, the two newest, which joined in January
Borders
■ The Czech Republic has lobbied hard to join the EU’s border-free Schengen zone. Entry was originally scheduled for 2007, then delayed until 2008, then reset again for 2007
■ Schengen entry is now expected by Dec. 31 and could even come earlier if border security upgrades go well, Interior Minister Ivan Langer has said
Upcoming presidency
Euroskeptic or not, stronger EU participation looms close on the horizon. For the first time ever, over the first half of 2009, the Czech government will hold the rotating EU presidency. Preparations are already under way under the working theme “Europe Without Barriers.”
It’s likely the ruling Civic Democratic Party, of which Klaus is a member, will temper its hotheaded stance on the EU and plan for a mild presidency, Král says. An “overarching” priority is further liberalizing trade. Also likely to be emphasized are forming closer EU ties with the United States, East European countries such as Ukraine and Balkan countries such as Croatia and Macedonia, he says.
Does this mean the “troublemaker” reputation will become a thing of the past?
“The process of European presidency does attach you more to European institutions,” Brady says. “But I don’t know if it will result in a broader pro-Europeanism emerging in the Czech Republic.”

Hilda Hoy can be reached at hhoy@praguepost.com


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