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Ajouter un commentairePetr Drulak
Petr Drulak is currently Director of the Prague Institute of International Relations.
After a degree in international commerce and a masters in international political science, he studied at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, and then stayed in a number of other countries (Germany, USA, Italy). He defended his thesis on « The Interpretation of the Opening of the Cold War » at the Prague University of Economics in 2000.
Former Executive Director of the Czech Council on Foreign Relations, he is also since 2005 Associate Professor at the Charles University and Invited Professor at the Prague University of Public Administration and International Relations. He also contributes to the editorial work of several newspapers and scientific reviews.
Martin Caudron : Several EU member states fear that the Czech presidency of the EU Council of ministers will be characterized by apathy and ineffectiveness because of the euroscepticism of its President and of its Prime Minister. Do you think that this fear is exaggerated ? To what extent could the recent elections affect the Czech position towards the EU ?
Petr Drulak : The Czech government is in a difficult position, with no clear majority in the parliament and facing a eurosceptical president. However, such fears are a bit exaggerated. The Czech public administration went through intensive preparations and the government is going to do its best to succeed. Of course, we never know what the final results will be and the risk of failure is present with any presidency. Recent regional elections brought about a minor turmoil on the Czech political stage. It seems that the prime minister, whom I would not call a eurosceptic, has been able to strengthen his position by striking an agreement with the opposition.
Martin Caudron : Is the Czech Republic willing to take the lead in international issues such as the persisting conflict in Georgia, the negotiations on climate change in the framework of the preparation of the Copenhagen conference of December 2009, the status transition in Kosovo or the troubles in Africa (Darfur, Congo) ?
Petr Drulak : Eastern Europe, including Russia and Georgia, is one of the priorities of the Czech presidency, as well as the Western Balkans and Kosovo. The environment will also be addressed in terms of climate and energy issues including the post-Kyoto process. Africa is on not considered a priority, but crises can impose themselves on the presidency’s agenda if they become too serious, whatever the original planning had been.
Martin Caudron : What is the position of the Czech Republic regarding the proposition of French president Nicolas Sarkozy to postpone the implementation of the anti-missile system in the Czech Republic ?
Petr Drulak : President Sarkozy later explained that he respected the autonomy of the bilateral security relations between the Czech Republic and the US. So there is actually no such proposition on the agenda. However, it is uncertain whether the project has the support of the majority in the Czech parliament and the position of the Obama administration will also be important in this respect.
Martin Caudron : Czech President Vaclav Klaus expressed strong criticism when some Member States such as the United Kingdom or France voted important and costly measures to fight the financial and economic crisis. What is the position of the Czech government today about the programme elaborated by the European Commission to re-launch the economic activity in Europe ? Is the Prime minister less reluctant than the president to public interventionism ?
Petr Drulak : The Czech Republic has not been directly affected by the financial crisis but it will be affected by the looming economic crisis. This is likely to change the perception of the Czech leaders. Even though the current government tends to neo-liberalism, Czech neoliberals are quite pragmatic in times of crisis if we judge by their previous record.
Martin Caudron : Are there other topics that will be treated as a priority by the Czech presidency ?
Petr Drulak : Indeed, a competitive Europe including e.g. better regulation, the implementation of the services directive or the advancement of the global trade talks, is the first priority. EU external policy priorities also include transatlantic relations and upgrading the relations with Israel.
Martin Caudron : What would be your explanation of the fact that the Czech Parliament decided not to ratify the Lisbon Treaty in December ? Is the Czech Republic trying to negotiate the conditions of its ratification with other Member States ?
Petr Drulak : Not really. The delay has been caused by internal discussions inside the main ruling party, the ODS (Civic Democratic Party) of Prime Minister Topolanek and President Klaus.
Martin Caudron : Is the Czech public proud of their country taking over the ‘EU presidency’, especially as the Czech government will have the opportunity to represent the EU during the first semester of Obama’s presidency in the US ?
Petr Drulak : Not really. So far the Czech public has not cared much about the Czech EU presidency.
Logo : Official logo of the 2009 Czech Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, EU2009.CZ
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« Les craintes vis à vis de la Présidence tchèque sont exagérées »
« I timori sulla presidenza ceca dell’UE sono esagerati »
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