Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek and Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra introduced the main priorities  and the work program of the Czech Presidency, in a ceremony held in Prague on January, 6th. Three key priorities will be in focus for this period, which will be identified by “the three E's”: Economy, Energy and Europe in the world. The motto is a ‘Europe without barriers’.

As it is usual for the presiding country when it takes over the leading role in the EU, the Czech Republic introduced the priorities and work program for the following six months of the Presidency.

The work programme of the Czech Presidency is introduced by a brief description of the priority areas which the Czech Republic wants to pay special attention to as presiding country, followed by a detailed description of agendas that the Presidency will address within the framework of the internal and external politics of the EU.

The document acknowledges the fact that in 2009 the European Union will be confronted with a number of serious challenges and decisions. Due to the financial crisis, it is necessary to prepare for the threat of a significant slowdown in economic growth or even an economic downturn, with all its social, political and international consequences. Although urgent measures have been taken at global, EU and national levels in recent months to tackel the financial situation, the European Union will have to give priority attention to a solution to this problem also in 2009.

Europe without barriers

In the highly changeable world of the 21st century, it is becoming clear that the European Union’s success depends upon it having the ability to flexibly respond to current problems, and to take full advantage of its economic, cultural and human potential. With this in mind, from the very outset of its preparations, the Czech Republic chose "Europe without Barriers" as the symbolic motto of its Presidency: a Europe without internal economic, cultural and value barriers for individuals, entrepreneurs and economic entities; a Europe open to the world, but not defenceless against illegal activities and attacks.

In the light of the present developments, the conclusions of the November G-20 Summit and the conclusions of the December 2008 European Council, this motto takes on a topical significance. In the present efforts to stabilise the EU’s economies, excessive regulation and an increased level of protectionism must be avoided, above all. The European Union must not give up its strategic goals in favour of short-term stabilisation measures.

The issue of institutional reform, connected to the future of the Lisbon Treaty ratification, is a task of no lesser importance for the efficient functioning of the European Union and its internal and external policies, which will necessarily be in the Czech agenda for the Presidency period.

Only an economically strong and cohesive EU without internal barriers, building on its values and roots, will be able to address complex global issues and establish its position in today’s world. Hence, the Czech Presidency’s main priority areas will be Economy, Energy and the European Union in the World.

The document with the Priorities and Work Programme of the Czech EU Presidency, which is available in the Czech Presidency official website, is the result of two years of preparation. The Government based the definition of its priorities and programme on strategic documents from the EU and on conclusions of the EU Council and European Councils. In cooperation with France and Sweden, Czech partners in the Presidency Trio, the Government also prepared a joint eighteen-month programme that will become a virtual time-table of the EU for the next year and a half.

The priorities and the programme of the Czech Presidency also address the challenges that the European Union has had to face in the last few months and weeks.