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Taking the lead

Milena Vicenová prepares to steer the European Union in 2009

By Markéta Hulpachová
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
October 10th, 2007 issue

VLADIMÍR WEISS/THE PRAGUE POST
Former Agriculture Minister Vicenová has just over a year to prepare for the task of heading the European Union Council.
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The Vicenová File

Age: 52
Birthplace: Přerov, central Moravia
Family: Married with two daughters
Position: Czech ambassador to the European Union
Previous jobs: General secretary of Regional Development Ministry, agriculture minister, president of Czech Guild of Agriculture, journalist, veterinarian in Česká Lípa, north Bohemia
Education: Brno Veterinary College
Languages: Czech, English, German, French, Spanish

Last month, the Czech Republic moved one step closer toward its January 2009 presidency of the European Union (EU) Council. After sifting through a spectrum of candidates to replace Jan Kohout as the Czech Republic’s ambassador to the EU, President Václav Klaus appointed former Agriculture Minister Milena Vicenová Sept. 12.
An expert at drawing resources from European structural funds for local developmental projects, Vicenová has just over a year to prepare the country for its six-month Council leadership.
As she settles into her temporary headquarters at the Foreign Affairs Ministry before relocating to Brussels, the former veterinarian talks to The Prague Post about economics, human rights and taking the helm of the EU.
The Prague Post: 2009 will be the first year the Czech Republic assumes power over the EU’s decision-making body. What are the country’s priorities for EU Council presidency?
Milena Vicenová: Our official slogan is “Europe without barriers,” which summarizes all aspects of [the Czech Republic’s goals]. It signifies the free movement of persons and services and strives toward de-bureaucratization, all leading to the breakdown of borders that make the common market work less smoothly than it could. I would also like to continue the Czech Republic’s [profile] as a defender of human rights. Our country is rather sensitive toward this issue.
TPP: Some members of opposition have said the government approaches the EU presidency too ideologically. What is your reaction to this criticism?
MV: Sometimes, the attitude toward the European Commission is a bit skeptical. I am more on the “EU-positive” side, and I’ve always been like that. We have a unique chance, and we have to realize that, for a certain period, the Czech Republic will be responsible for steering the European Union, and we should understand this unique chance as well as our role. It’s not only about presenting our national priorities — we should also follow the priorities of the European Union: liberalization, competitiveness, establishing a strong common market.
TPP: Allocating resources from EU structural funds [financial grants that offer member countries aid in resolving economic and social problems] has long been the scourge of the Czech government. Is the country moving toward resolving this issue?
MV: Structural funds are a difficult and rather heavy issue. I have to admit that they present a large bureaucratic burden, but we must accept the rules of the game — other countries manage to cope with this burden, so it’s up to us to meet the challenge.
Part of the issue is the structure of our operation programs, which we inherited from the past governments. All together, we have 24 programs, which is quite a lot. By implementing seven programs for regional development, we’ve made a very positive decision, because who should decide the way money is spent in a region better than the region itself? So yes, structural funds are a demanding task, but not a problem we can’t overcome. Maybe their complicated structure will make us cooperate more, which is absolutely necessary if we want to use the funds properly.
 
TPP: Do you think this is a typical problem for new member states?
MV: Partly, yes. But we do have some experience with the pre-accession programs. For instance, the SAPARD [Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development] program was extremely successful in the Czech Republic — we used 115 percent of the allocated sums, and we’re seeing its positive outcome through the use of European funds for agriculture and rural development.
TPP: With the scheduled conclusion of the commissioners’ terms, parliamentary elections and the reform treaty vote, 2009 will be turbulent for the Council. Will these events limit the Czech presidency?
MV: Every presidency has its limits. The situation is never easy — every country has to cope with internal and external difficulties. Of course, the fact that there will be a preparatory period for the new commission will to a certain extent influence the presidency, but we are ready to use all our efforts to cope with this aspect. No country can really start discussing and finalize an important issue within six months. This is seldom reached — it’s unrealistic.
TPP: What experiences have prepared you for this position?
MV: I have been cooperating with the European Commission since 1998, when I started preparatory work on the SAPARD program, the pre-accession instrument for agriculture and rural development. I also cooperated with the EU as the head of the Food Safety Department, and I was a member of the European Food Safety Authority. Later, my contacts with the EC were more frequent during my tenure as director of EU affairs. I also accompanied our ministers to the [European] Council of Ministers, and I was one of the two representatives in the EU Special Committee for Agriculture. [During] the short period in my position as [agriculture] minister, I myself took part in the Farm Council — the EU’s council of agriculture ministers. My short experience in the government, the state administration and especially with common agriculture policy — which I think is a difficult part of EU affairs — all prepared me for the post.
TPP: What will be your priorities in the coming months?
MV: Learn and learn and learn. I have to study many issues and make as many appointments as possible. I’m ready to meet with all the representatives from our government, either ministers or deputy ministers, and try to consult as many institutions as possible, both Czech and European. I have to study at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and I’m ready to make as many contacts as possible. Just yesterday, I had a nice and very informative dinner with the British ambassador. That’s how I try to use the time — I’m prepared to use every single minute.

Markéta Hulpachová can be reached at mhulpachova@praguepost.com


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