10 Years of Czech EU membership ****************************************************************************************** * 10 Years of Czech EU membership ****************************************************************************************** On the first of May, 2004, having been transformed in less than 15 years from a one party into a democratic market economy, the Czech Republic was formally admitted as a member to on, academics, politicians, diplomats, students and others all gathered in the Collegium M Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague to attend a conference discussing the Czech relationship with the EU. Entitled “10 years of Czech EU membership: Expectations and Visi participants the opportunity to evaluate the impact of the EU on the Czech Republic, and t Czech Republic on the EU. The event was split into two panel discussions, both covering di of the topic. Introductory speeches were made by Prof. Lenka Rovná, Vice-rector for European Affairs at University, Prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector of Charles University, and Prof. Jan Kuklík, Dean of Law of Charles University respectively. Professor Rovná spoke of the role Charles Universi in the Czech Republic’s European journey, from educating civil servants to becoming a Jean of excellence in 2001. Professor Zima in his speech also focused on education, citing the programs such as Erasmus in facilitating the movement of both students and teachers betwee higher education. Professor Kuklik, conflicted between whether to be brief or funny, went welcomed the conference to the Law Faculty and stated how we should be ready to both prais and criticize the failures of the EU and Czech Republic. The members of the first panel were charged with discussing ‘Expectations’- their own expe of the country, whether they were realistic, whether they have been fulfilled and so on. T was Dr. Vladimír Špidla, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic between 2002-2004 and Czech the EU from 2004-2010. He emphasized the significance of the history of the Czech Republic the Czech Republic historically been at the heart of Europe for centuries, but it has also its existence as a part of bigger, transnational bodies, from the Austria-Hungarian Empire bloc. The Czech Republic has spent very little time alone. However, when it came to joinin Czech Republic did so this time on its own terms, as an equal member and with the capacity destiny. EU integration has not only been a success on a transnational level, but also on with Dr. Špidla expressing the belief that membership in EU institutions had helped the Cz structure its own internal recovery from Communism. The second speaker was Dr. Pavel Telička, Czech EU Commissioner in 2004. He again re-empha significance of the Czech Republic’s position in the centre of Europe. In terms of expecta that membership in the EU was expected to anchor the Czech Republic in the safety, securit of Europe, and to reintegrate the Czech Republic based on their shared history and culture critical note he suggested that the Czech Republic had not understood what its own expecta membership were, and that this had caused opportunities to be missed for the country. Last to speak was Gisela Stuart, British Member of Parliament for the Labour Party, but wi roots. She spoke of her joy at seeing Prague back at the heart of Europe, and identified 4 the EU in the coming years. These were the rise of anti-European parties and the threat th free movement of labour, a freedom she saw as being key to maintaining peace in Europe; th economic crisis and the future role of non-Euro countries within EU economic structures; t changes that upcoming referenda in the UK may bring to Europe, be that in the upcoming Sco on independence, or in the possible in/out referendum on EU membership; and lastly the pro countries on Europe’s borders, and the ability of both the EU and NATO to protect their me The second panel was comprised of candidates for the European Parliament from the 7 main C parties, who were tasked with describing their vision for the EU. They were confined to 5 their speeches, but it is a curios ailment that seems to affect both politicians and acade they struggle tremendously to keep within timeframes. First to speak was Prof. Jan Keller of the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD). He critic as a two-tiered Europe, where the rich exploit the poor and the poor rob the rich (drawing of Vilfredo Pareto). However, he was hopeful that the EU has the ability and potential to state crisis facing many European states at the moment. He was followed by Ing. Kateřina K Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) who expressed a wish for the EU to return to human rights and peace. Dr. Luděk Niedermayer of TOP 09 a Starostové  (TOP 09 and Mayors) said in his speech that Republic is moving closer to Europe and that the understanding of EU in the Czech Republic improved. Competitiveness and employment should be the focus. In a speech that elicited a divided response Dr. Klára Samková of the Úsvit Party spoke of 1989 for a more fair post-communist world had not materialized, and how instead the Czech left with a bureaucratic dictatorship from Brussels. Assoc. Prof. Pavel Svoboda of the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's P   gave an impassioned account of his vision of a ‘Bavarian Europe‘ – a flourishing Europe big issues and small on small issues. He also warned of the risk from what he termed ‘the nationalists’ all over the EU who, according to him, are threatening to turn the European the Anti-European Parliament. Pavel Telička then made a reappearance, this time representing the political party ANO. He back to the Maastricht Treaty and the development of the EU, and how there is a need to as real goals of the EU are – goals that are not static, that are achievable and which fulfil the electorate. The last to speak was Ing. Jan Zahradil of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). He expressed with the process of European political integration, and was sceptical of the ability of Eu speak with one voice. He did however see some potential for a business policy and common e the EU level, but did not think this had been achieved yet. Elan Grug Muse is in her second year studying for a BA in Politics at the University of No in international politics, music and literature, and was motivated to write for iForum bec