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Special issue 15 December 2008 Czech EU presidency special issue Europe minister Alexandr Vondra on Prague’s three Es: economy, energy and Europe in the world INSIDE: Agriculture minister Petr Gandalovič Industry and trade minister Martin Říman Libor Rouček Neil Parish Vladimír Remek Josef ������� ������� PRIORITIES AND OFFICIAL EVENTS ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� �ï Czech Tourist Authority Czech Tourism T he state-funded Czech Tourist Authority was set up in 1993 to promote the country as an attractive tourist destination abroad and on the domestic market. Czech regions, towns and commercial entities are important partners of the agency in the promotion of the Welcome to the Pilsen region ‘Tourist paradise‘ “Pilsen Region – Tourist paradise“: Do you think that motto sounds like a cliché? During the last few years, the region has been persuaded of its originality and its efficiently selected motto. Its size means Pilsen is the third largest and Czech EU presidency special issue 15 December 2008 Cover photo: www.eu2009.cz CZECHPRESIDENCY 8 A Europe without barriers The Czech Republic’s EU presidency will make full use of Europe’s economic, human and cultural potential, writes Alexandr Vondra 34 Doffing the CAP EDITORIAL TEAM Managin Czech spa town of Mariánské LáznÄ›, venue of the Informal meeting of Ministers in charge of Regional Development PRIORITIES AND OFFICIAL EVENTS OF THE MINISTRY FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC During the approaching Czech presidency, one of the priorities for the Ministry for Regio INTRODUCTION | Europe Minister A Europe without barriers The Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU will make full use of Europe’s economic, human and cultural potential, writes Alexandr Vondra The Czech presidency logo: a ‘Europe without barriers’ The Czech presidency logo is the result of CZECHPRESIDENCY its temporary and one-off character without endangering the fiscal discipline and rules of the game as contained in the stability and growth pact. In line with the Lisbon strategy, the Czech presidency will focus on the development of all the basic freedoms of the internal market; i 1st Deputy Ivo Hlavac Minister Petr Gandalovic Another priority theme is the simplifi cation of the future operation of the CAP. Many member states, including the Czech Republic, are often critical of the approach of the European Commission towards new proposals, such as the reform of the sugar and CZECHPRESIDENCY Rural redesign T The Czech presidency will focus on developing a common agricultural policy that promotes fair competition among farmers along with effective rural development, writes Petr Gandalovič But the health check also contains a joint declaration by the commission and cou AGRICULTURE MINISTER | Future of agriculture so-called “new challenges”, which include biodiversity, water management and renewable energy sources. From this perspective, the next form of direct payments will be crucial. It should be unburdened by insignificant historical unevenness between sec SINGLE MARKET | Industry and trade minister Enhancing the economy The single market, in particular the free movement of services, is the cornerstone of European integration and needs to be fully developed, says Martin Říman O nly a few months ago, according to some, the Czech presidency was sim CZECHPRESIDENCY materialise one’s own talents in competition with other players, and the freedom to find and choose the markets in which to operate. In this respect, the role of the single market, particularly in today’s economic environment, is absolutely irreplaceable. The internal market of European Universities share Laboratories A lthough modelling and dynamic simulation are basic tools for understanding and verifying theoretical subjects, the experimentation with a real system plays a fundamental role, that cannot be replaced. Rapid development of ICT technologies enabled expansion The following modules (Table 1) are proposed (grouped into sets of modules) in such a way that they cover fundamentals and basic applications of the EE and advance topics including the applications. Table 1 List of modules with remote controlled experiments in the PEMCWebLab (Edipe). Group N° Gr www.cecgr.com The leading independent public affairs agency in the EU’s Central European member states. Through our wholly-owned offices in Warsaw, Prague and Budapest, and with our partner offices throughout the region, we deliver a full range of professional lobbying and strategic communication CZECHPRESIDENCY National preoccupations J Civil participation and a healthy dose of scepticism are the defining characteristics of the Czech presidency, writes Rumyana Vakarelska Czech prime minster Mirek Topolánek said the reason for the two-month delay was that his centre-right Civic Democrati INTERNAL AFFAIRS Javier Solana (left) and Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg share a joke following their December meeting in Prague “The EU presidency will literally affect the entire country, as the government organises events both internally and externally aiming at boosting the count ABOUT CEZ GROUP CEZ Group is a dynamic, integrated electricity conglomerate based in the Czech Republic with operations in a number of countries of Central and South-eastern Europe. Its principal businesses encompass generation, distribution, and sale of electricity and heat as well as coal mining. MEP COMMENT | Group Leaders Continue with confidence The Czech presidency can help project Europe’s voice on the world stage, as long as it can encourage genuine cooperation between member states, says Joseph Daul T Joseph Daul is chairman of the EPP-ED group in the European parliament he Czech CZECHPRESIDENCY Taking on the task The Czech presidency can build on previous work achieved by the French, but it must include a social aspect, argues Martin Schulz I n a difficult political climate a difficult heritage awaits the incoming Czech presidency. The Czech Republic will follow a French MEP COMMENT | Group Leaders Brian Crowley is co-president of the UEN group in the European parliament need to be put in place to eliminate financial abuses and to introduce transparency in the financial sector. The Czech presidency should look to implement structural and systemic reforms with rega Regional Research Library in Liberec. This unique “Reconciliation Building” combining modern library and a synagogue was constructed under the patronage of the presidents Václav Havel and Roman Herzog and financed jointly by the Czech Republic, Germany and the EU The regions of the Czech Repub Tell me and I will forget Show me and I might remember Involve me and I will understand (Benjamin Franklin) Finnbarents and project cycle management Who we are? Well then, let me tell you about Finnbarents. We are located on the Arctic Circle in the heart of Finnish Lapland. This places us in the How can you be part of it? Join us in our events: International Seminar: Is there need for specialised competence to practice sound EU-project management? Rovaniemi 2 – 3 March 2009 The seminar is an intensive in the need and practices of project management. Project professionals will talk about CZECHPRESIDENCY Watching our wallets W Reinforcing European unity during difficult economic circumstances will be a major challenge for the Czech presidency, says Rumyana Vakarelska Vondra is adamant on reinforcing unity within the EU at all levels, starting with the liberalisation of the labour ECONOMY Kingsnorth power station in the UK. The development of a common EU energy market is one of the Czech presidency’s concerns “The Czechs, who are expected to join the euro by 2010, are also likely to bring together countries which have similarly been reluctant to join the single currency ������ ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� � ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ������� ���� CENTRE FOR NANOMATERIAL RESEARCH PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY, OLOMOUC T he Centre for Nanomaterial Research (CNR) was founded in 2005, combining specialists in physics, chemistry and biology under the auspices of the Faculty of Science of Palacký University. The scope of the Centre is mainly concentrated o CZECHPRESIDENCY The rights of man The Czech Republic is the only member state that hasn’t implemented EU rules on equal treatment and discrimination, writes Libor Rouček S ince the establishment of the European Economic Community, action against different forms of discrimination was considered MEP COMMENT Libor Rouček is a Socialist Czech MEP and vice chair of the foreign affairs committee responsibility in 2006. The fear of EU sanctions led the current coalition to support the new umbrella law. Nonetheless, even the compromise reached in the parliament in April 2008 didn’t succeed a CZECHPRESIDENCY eastern bloc countries, including the Czech Republic, joined the EU. By that stage they should expect to receive the same CAP payments as the EU15. It is simply unpalatable to invite new members into the club and then not to treat them equally. This will no doubt be controversial as Technologies of tomorrow unveiled by Europe’s best researchers Leading scientists and policy-makers exchanging on today’s frontier science, new technologies and their impact on our society A forum dedicated to research in future and emerging information technologies Will you be there? 21-23 Apr PHOTO GUIDE TO THE CZECH PRESIDENCY CZECHPRESIDENCY A visual guide to the key Czech politicians you can expect to see over the next six months MIREK TOPOLÁNEK Prime Minister JIŘÍ ÄŒUNEK MARTIN BURSÍK PETR NEÄŒAS ALEXANDR VONDRA IVAN LANGER KAREL SCHWARZENBERG Deputy Prime Minister and VLASTA PARKANOVÁ MARTIN ŘÍMAN TOMÁŠ JULÍNEK JIŘÍ POSPÍŠIL MIROSLAV KALOUSEK ONDŘEJ LIÅ KA Minister for Defence Minister for Industry and Trade Minister for Health Minister for Justice Minister for Finance Minister for Education, Youth and Sports ALEÅ  ŘEBÍČEK PETR GANDALOV The renaissance of the most ancient Czech medical faculty the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Prague ENTRANCE-HALL OF THE DEAN ́S OFFICE OF THE FIRST FACULTY OF MEDICINE and students numbers. We are also one of the top ranking research institutions in the country. Since several CZECHPRESIDENCY Sweet talking T he Czechs are proud of their sugar cubes. And why shouldn’t they be? After all, they are credited with having invented the product that is ubiquitous the world over. It’s a bit like the Irish and their Guinness. It’s a straightforward product, just a beer aft COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN Eamonn Bates is managing director of Eamonn Bates Europe Public Affairs we can also manage our EU presidency. If they can be the best, anyone can if she or he makes an effort.” Now, regardless of how Czech citizens are taking this, the vice premier’s explanation is a fa The Institute of Atmospheric Physics Figure 1 T he Institute of Atmospheric Physics is a part of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, which joins research institutions, covering the whole field of science and humanities. The Institute’s research covers the Earth’s atmosphere in its RESEARCH | Space Programme Success in space 44 PARLIAMENT MAGAZINE 15 December 2008 The Czech Republic has a keen interest in space research and exploration, which will continue to develop under the country’s presidency, says former Cosmonaut Vladimír Remek T hirty years have passed since my CZECHPRESIDENCY an ambitious space programme and it MEP and former cosmonaut was therefore a great satisfaction for Vladimír Remek me that this year the Czech Republic became a fully-fledged member of the European Space Agency (ESA). Europe keeps strengthening its position when it comes to differe FOREIGN AFFAIRS | EU-Russia Relations Strength in numbers The Czech presidency has the potential to use the unity that exists within the EU in order to develop a more assertive stance when it comes to relations with Russia, argues Josef Zieleniec W ith Russia, the EU currently has the most devel CZECHPRESIDENCY Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks with European commission president Jose Manuel Barroso at the Russia-EU summit in June this year Regrettably, the EU could not keep its word and enforce the condition that the talks should only restart once Russia had withdrawn its military fo The Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants is a voluntary social, non-political, special-interest professional organisation with a nation-wide coverage based in Prague One of the most important issues having negative impact on the hospitality industry is the Food labelling proposal. The Europea CZECHPRESIDENCY I The south Moravian region, famous for its wine, has much to offer those who come to visit, says Michal HaÅ¡ek businesses assistance in the promotion and presentation of regional wines and the associated wine tourism. The south Moravian region works in association with the Viticul REGIONS | South Moravia “Events in the south Moravian region related to the Czech presidency... will allow us to become visible not only in the European context, but will also be an opportunity for us to show that south Moravia is an attractive and advanced European region” ers and vineyard-own Crop Research Institute Prague, Czech Republic E stablished in 1951, the Crop Research Institute is today the largest research institute devoted to crop production research under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. It employs 320 staff, of which 120 are scientists. The A WIN-WIN SOLUTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN PRAGUE Ahead of the Czech Republic taking over the reins of the EU Presidency, EPEE held a successful outreach event in Prague in November 2008. The workshop, organised in collaboration with the Czech Association for Cooling and Air Conditioning and CZECHPRESIDENCY Look local P The Czech presidency gives us the opportunity to base European integration on local grounds, argues OldÅ™ich Vlasák reparations for the Czech Republic to take over the reins of the EU presidency are reaching a peak. It is not only the central government but regional REGIONS | CEMR Cities, municipalities and regions are responsible for implementing EU legislation in key areas such as the transport sector market rules, as far as local and regional services of general interest are concerned. This process should also lift the unnecessary barriers and burdens we fa Act. Inspire. Make a Difference. Our vision of CSR: Act as a catalyst for positive change. Inspire our associates, partners and communities. Make a difference in our Company, system and the world by operating a responsible and sustainable business. Just lau n c h e d : 2 0 0 7 / 2 0 0 8 S us t a MEDIS Group T he civil engineering holding group MEDIS operates exclusively with Czech capital and transacts business mainly in the areas of road and bridge engineering, land engineering, along with engineering industry including research and development of new technology, as well as in the field CZECHPRESIDENCY Opportunity knocks The city of Plzeň has experienced a large increase in its immigrant population, but managed migration can bring real benefits, argues Petr Osvald Prague and beyond A new year and a new presidency: the Czech Republic has a packed agenda in store on its home turf. REGIONS | Plzeň “In recent times...the influx of immigrants has swollen enormously and they now account for almost 20 per cent of the city’s population ness incubator and a science park funded by Structural Funds have also been set up. Plzeň is also however a regional cultural centre as well Integration of Czech Astronomy into European Research Structures Astronomy in the Czech Republic has a rich tradition which can be traced back to times when famous astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler worked together in Prague. The original Prague observatory, located in the Clementinum tower Institute of Thermomechanics CAS, v.v.i. methods of flow control or heat and mass transfer in fluid particles of micro-electromechanical systems, or fibro diagnosis, which studies interactions of liquids with structures, for instance biomechanics of the human voice. At present the research departme CZECHPRESIDENCY Reducing CO2 emissions from cars is the main objective of the CNG vehicles project Hitting the gas Eurocities shows how an innovative street-sweeping vehicles powered by natural gas is one example of how the Czech Republic is leading the way in ecological urban transport A n ecolo ENVIRONMENT | Natural Gas Vehicles Eurocities is a network of over 130 large European cities in over 30 European countries sions by about a half and the value of CO emissions and HC the common price of a technical vehicle. Prague contributed emissions by about a quarter. The other result is lower The heart of EU politics POLITICS, POLICY AND PEOPLE www.theparliament.com/b For accurate, real-time, tailored political information dods.eu/monitoring Czech Development Agency (CzDA) T he Czech Republic fully accepts its responsibility for addressing global challenges. It is a re-emerging rather than new donor, as the former Czechoslovakia, one of the founding countries of the UN, used to provide assistance to the developing countries since the 19 55 years of transport research excellence safety audits and inspections, human behaviour, alcohol and narcotics influence, education of traffic participants of different age-groups, incl. driving school methodological support, road traffic legislation) Research and Expert Activities CDV is involved CZECHPRESIDENCY Natural structures Funding from the EU’s seventh research framework programme is helping the Czech Republic to develop world-class research in structural biology, says T he POSTBIOMIN project, funded by the EU’s seventh research framework programme (FP7) and coordinated by the RESEARCH | Structural biology “Knowledge of the interactions, schemes and recognition processes of important molecular machinery gives us opportunities, for example, to design new treatments for human diseases” The POSTBIOMIN project will involve important research in areas such as health, biot POSTBIOMIN Program developing interdisciplinary research potential for the studies of biomolecular interactions at National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic The POSTBIOMIN project is funded by EC 7th FP and co-ordinated by the National Centre for Biomolecu CZECHPRESIDENCY Drawing lessons Creating a harmony between the old and the new is just one the many features that Czech architecture has to offer, ÄŒestmíra Veselá tells Chris Jones B elgium-based Czech architect ÄŒestmíra Veselá is often credited with the design of the European parliament b CULTURE | Czech architecture “There is a character in Czech folklore called Jára Cimrman who is credited with creating everything from the Panama canal to Zeppelins, and many Czechs are like that” Czechs are very artistic and cultural, and we use this to express ourselves – one of the requir First steps Daycare Center T he main aim of the cooperation between Czech VÅ B Technical University Ostrava and Norwegian University Agder in Kristiansand was to transfer the know how and mutual share of experience in the field of social service for students. The Czech National Agency for European E European conference of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU www.e-envi2009.org Opportunities of SEIS and SISE: Integrating Environmental Knowledge in Europe. March 25–27, 2009, Prague, Czech Republic The European conference Towards The European conference ������� ���ï European Commission European Commission Enterprise and Industry Enterprise and Industry Czech Republic A Symphony for the Senses C ome to the Czech Republic, a country where students, and the elderly alike can enjoy a great holiday, a country just made for holidaying with children, romantic breaks for couples and business meetings. Come and visit a country of famous composers and cre