Czech Presidency Of the EU – Bridge Over the Past
Czech EU presidency of the first half of 2009 can be associated with all kinds of adjectives. Except for one - boring. Six months when Czech Republic „stayed in the limelight" was not a boring period neither for Czech politics nor for the European Union. Gas crisis, Entropa, speech of President Vaclav Klaus in the European Parliament, Barack Obama's visit in Prague and fall of the government - this is a list of the most attractive events of the Czech Presidency. The book has been published in Czech and can be ordered here.
The publication "České předsednictví Rady EU - most přes minulost" is trying to go beneath the surface of these spectacular, revalued, and often misinterpreted events surrounding the Czech Presidency. Analyzing e. g. the preparation phase and goals and achievements of the Presidency program, the book offers a detailed assessment of Czech Presidency, and draws conclusions that are far from simplistic black and white judgments. Chapters focusing on the Czech Presidency are framed by preceding French and following Swedish mandates. Although the Czech presidency is not the best in the history of European integration, on the other hand, it was not the "worst presidency ever.
The publication is intended for the general group of people interested in EU affairs, relations between the Czech Republic and European Union and in EU institutions. Book can be found as useable for academic staff and students, as well as for journalists, politicians or analysts.
