Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Enlargement as a strategic Decision
Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Enlargement as a strategic Decision

Author(s): Jana Juzová
Subject(s): EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: EUROPEUM - Institut pro evropskou politiku
Keywords: EU enlargement; Western Balkans EU;
Summary/Abstract: The EU enlargement policy and the EU’s South-Eastern and Eastern neighbourhoods represent some of the most prominent areas in Czech foreign and European policy for the last two decades. In the neighbouring regions, the Czech Republic enjoys a generally positive image, both as an example worth following in terms of political and economic post-communist transition and as a good and honest partner in the countries’ own aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration. It was expected that these traditional political priorities would be reflected also during Czechia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. The previous Babiš government communicated that the EU enlargement to the Western Balkans will be among the Presidency priorities, the Presidency itself, however, was dramatically affected by the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Naturally, all priorities had to be reassessed considering the event and all its dire consequences.

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