Press Advisories

20. 2. 2014 19:42

Prime Minister Sobotka met with President Barroso of the European Commission and President Schulz of the European Parliament

A meeting between Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, on 20 February 2014.
A meeting between Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, on 20 February 2014.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka went to Brussels for his first official visit two days after his cabinet received a vote of confidence from the Chamber of Deputies. The points discussed were mainly those on which the government commenced discussions during its last session: the Czech Republic accession to the Fiscal Compact and the cancellation of the Czech exception from the Lisbon Treaty.

The new government is convinced that our active participation in continuing European integration, which is Europe’s guarantee of prosperity and stability, is an opportunity for the Czech Republic’s further development, for its economic growth, creation of new jobs, prosperity and for the best defence of our national interests. Yesterday, the Czech Government commenced discussions on accession to the Fiscal Compact, which is a very important decision. The Czech Republic and Great Britain are among countries hat have not yet acceded to the Fiscal Compact. The new Government will want to change this, and thus within the next two months we could commence the ratification process in both chambers of the Czech Parliament,” said Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka at a press conference.

Another important subject during meetings with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz was the question of drawing upon European Union funds, job creation, and economic growth.

In coming years, the Czech Republic shall continue to be a net recipient, meaning that we shall have the opportunity to draw significant monies from European funds. The Czech government wants to configure this process so that it is problem-free, so that we correct errors that occurred in past years, and so that we ensure that monies from European funds shall be utilized for economic growth, employment and competitiveness. Simplification of conditions for drawing from funds and increased decision-making at the national level could help significantly. This is a definitely a direction in which the new Czech government wants to move,” said Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso also discussed the escalating situation in Ukraine.

Today at a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of individual states of the European Union, the Czech Republic was prepared to support a joint, unified and emphatic course of action by the European Union against the Ukrainian government, which clearly bears responsibility for ending the violence and launching true political dialogue,” said Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka at the press conference.

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