The Czech Republic’s journey: Two Decades in the EU and a Quarter Century in NATO

First Panel: Twenty Years of the Czech Republic in the EU The year 2024 marks recognizable moments such as the European Parliament elections and the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s accession to the EU. Throughout the past two decades, Czech citizens and businesses have reaped numerous benefits rooted in the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU. This period has seen the implementation of myriad projects funded by European resources, offering the Czech Republic a direct role in European integration and influencing the direction of the EU. However, EU membership has also presented challenges, including a variety of policies, directives, and regulations that have not always been positively received by certain segments of the political spectrum and the public, thereby fuelling Euroscepticism sentiments. Brussels is often criticized for generating progressive and utopian policies, spanning from initiatives like the Green Deal to migration quotas, which have exacerbated these sentiments.

How has EU integration affected the Czech Republic? How has the West’s view of the Czech Republic changed? What challenges and opportunities have emerged as a result of this alliance? What is the potential future for the Czech Republic in the EU and how will its involvement with the EU progress?

Second Panel: A Quarter of a Century of the Czech Republic in NATO In March, the Czech Republic will commemorate its 25th anniversary of joining NATO, the world’s leading military alliance. NATO Membership has gained critical importance, specifically after Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and statements by Putin’s regime stating that NATO’s borders should return to their pre-1997 form, a time when former Soviet satellites, including the Czech Republic, were still outside the alliance. Over the last quarter century, our armed forces have undergone modernization, integrated into solid alliance structures, and ensured the collective defense of member countries from external threats. Following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, NATO has reinforced its defense, along its eastern flank. Notably, Finland has since joined the alliance, and Sweden is to follow. The focus of NATO has shifted from expeditionary missions to prioritizing territorial defense.

How strong is the commitment to collective defense? Is the US interest in Europe, and consequently in NATO, at risk of diminishing? Has the Czech army succeeded in its modernization efforts over the past quarter of a century? Are we a reliable member of NATO? How will our position evolve in the next quarter century? Will we be able to fulfill our commitments?

PROGRAM:

19:15 – 20:00: First panel: Twenty Years of the Czech Republic in the EU

Martin Hlaváček, Member, European Parliament Jacques Rupnik, Research professor, SciencesPo Ivan Hodač, Founder, Chairman of the Supervisory Board & Honorary Board Chairman, Aspen Institute Central Europe Moderator: Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society

20:00 – 20:45: Second panel: A Quarter of a Century of the Czech Republic in NATO

Jakub Landovský, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to NATO Jiří Šedivý, Chief Executive, European Defence Agency Petr Luňák, Deputy Head, NATO Public Diplomacy Division Moderator: Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society