Czech Presidency begins: Czech Government holds meeting with European Commission in Litomyšl

The Czech Republic assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2022. On the very same day, it received a visit of great significance to the path the Presidency will follow. The College of the European Commission arrived in the town of Litomyšl to hold talks with the Czech Government and representatives of both houses of the Czech Parliament.

Nineteen European Commissioners, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the helm, represented the College of the European Commission at a meeting with the Czech Government and the Czech Parliament in Litomyšl on Friday 1 July 2022.

Besides talks on the Czech Presidency’s priorities, the agenda also included various other matters that are important to the European Union and may have a considerable bearing on how the Czech Presidency actually unfolds. The discussions revolved primarily around the EU’s energy security, the war in Ukraine, and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, but also found time to address the green and digital transition, the EU’s resilience, and the protection of democracy.

“For our Presidency to be a success, quality cooperation with the European Commission is vital, as it is the Commission that puts forward legislative proposals and broadly oversees the workings of the European Union. I wish to thank President Ursula von der Leyen for all the cooperation and support she has provided – and continues to provide – to the Czech Republic in its CZ PRES preparations,” said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Throughout the day, meetings in various formats were held with a view to setting the legislative timetable for the second half of 2022, particularly in light of the proposals that will be prioritised by the Czech Presidency or that the European Commission plans to issue during this time.

“In these trying times, it is important to take a fresh look at what makes us strong. A prime example of this is the single market, which we must compound and consolidate wherever we can. We have a great deal of work ahead of us, but it will be good work and I look forward to working with the Czech Presidency,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

After the day’s political meetings had ended, the Commissioners congregated in the courtyard of Litomyšl Castle in the evening to attend Concert for Europe, performed by the Czech Philharmonic as part of the music festival Smetana’s Litomyšl. As a prelude to the concert, the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered their greetings.

The European Commission’s visit to countries just as they are assuming the Presidency is a well-established tradition that helps to define the framework of the cooperation that is to come and serves as an opportunity for the Presidency and the European Commission to share their expectations of each other.