Czech Republic | Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

Central Europe in the World

Twenty years since the end of its artificial dismemberment and Central Europe continues to evolve as a unique political, economic and social space. Yet, there is no escaping the contagious political dynamics unfolding in Europe, and post-Cold War Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have rapidly emerged as pillars of regional and international relations.

Located in the heart of Central Europe, CEJISS is proud to announce the launching of a new media service freely available to our electronic readership: clear and concise summaries and political analyses of key issues which link the countries and peoples of Central Europe to the rest of the world.

(24/07/2011) Right-wing groups in the Czech Republic advocate attacks similar to those carried out by Anders Breivik in Norway. Statements of praise have been posted on the ultranationalist web pages entitled White Media. Such resonating sentiment has prodded EUROPOL to reevaluate sources of threat within Europe. (by Júlia Lampášová)

(CesPoz/20/07/2011) A proposal to financially reward those who opposed the communist system was passed by the Czech Senate. The rule will come into force on 17 November to coincide with the day the Czech Republic remembers the Velvet Revolution. (by Linda Krasna, Staff Writer)

(MFD/27/07/2011/p2) The polling agency CVVM, on examining public opinion in the CR, uncovered that the three most respected professions are: doctors, scientists and nurses. Alternatively, the least respected professions are: cabinet ministers, cleaning ladies and parliamentarians.

(PRV/20/07/2011/p2) The cabinet revised its foreign policy statement, placing more emphasis on transatlantic relations manifest through NATO.

(PRV/17/07/2011/p10) Germany decided not to present the prestigious Quadriga Award [this year]. This follows Václav Havel's threat to return his award if Vladimir Putin were awarded it. The award is named after the statue on top of the Brandenberg Gate and is awarded to those '... whose courage tears down walls and whose commitment builds bridges.' Last year's winner, Danish artist Olafur Eliasson already returned his award in protest.

(PRV/17/07/2011/p1) Only 20% (est) of Czech Senators do not retaiin additional positions to boost their salaries. This is echoed in parliament where 29% of MPs are not further employed. In both houses monthly salaries are 55,900 (Czech koruna) not includng soome 29,000-39,400 (Czech koruna) for expenses; though this depends on various factors. Additionally, committee heads (and other positions) typically boost earnings by 22,800 (Czech koruna).

(PDM/07/07/2011) During the communist era, Czech scientist Jiri Bartek cooperated with the secret police (StB) and stole materials significant for cancer research. Opinion is split among his fellow scientists; those who believe that he was furthering cancer research and those who think he was a communist or at least a communist sympathiser. (by Linda Krasna, Staff Writer)

(OSW/04/07/2011) The Czech Republic has taken over the V4's rotating presidency from Slovakia while the transformation of the group is underway. On 16 June in Bratislava V4 members decided to set up a special grant facility called Visegrad 4 Eastern Partnership as part of the Visegrad Fund to support the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative. Earlier it had been agreed to set up a V4 military force under Polish command which will start operating from 2013. (by David Erkomaishvili, Staff Writer)

(CR/30/06/2011) Yesterday, Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg, the Head of the Lower Houses’ Foreign Affairs Committee David Vodrážka and Deputy Interior Minister Jaroslav Hruška brought 2.5 million (CZK) in 'humanitarian aid' to Benghazi where the trio had traveled to meet Libya’s National Transitional Council. This was the Czech Republic's first official contact with the rebels since the start of the anti-Qaddafi uprising in February.

(HN/28/06/2011/p8) Alexandr Vondra has rejected Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg’s "pro-EU" foreign-policy in a bid to demonstrate his loyalty to Klaus.

(RP/27/06/2011) Following talks with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas declared the Czech Republic's support for Macedonia's EU and NATO membership bids.

(PM/23/06/2011) UK PM David Cameron and Czech PM Petr Nečas rejected the EU's plan to provide Greece with a second bailout.

(CN/25/062011) Renewed tensions in Přerov as Right Wing hypernationalists attached to the so-called Workers' Party of Social Justice (DSSS) conducted a demonstration and hour-long march meant to disrupt a Romany deomonstration the same town. Police escorts ensured the peace prevented the rival groups from clashing.

(CN/25/06/2011) Today marks 20 years since Soviet forces were redeployed out of (then) Czechoslovakia. The town of Milovice, which had been home to nearly 170,000 Soviet soldiers since the 1968 Prague Spring, hosted a high profile rememberance cerimony for some 1000 notables including Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra.

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