Guests:
H. E. Aliki Pascali, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Czech Republic
H. E. Alan Gibbons, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic
David Král, Director-General of the Section for European Affairs, Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

The European Union is entering the second half of 2026 at a time when it is facing a combination of security, economic, and political challenges. The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, pressure to strengthen European defence, issues of competitiveness, energy, migration, and negotiations over the new Multiannual Financial Framework are creating an environment in which Member States will need to find compromises. On 1 July, Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Cyprus under the motto “Strength with Unity.”

The European Union is currently in a transitional phase. H. E. Aliki Pascali, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Czech Republic, emphasized that security has become one of the EU’s main priorities and that Brussels must decide whether it will remain merely an observer of global developments or become an active co-shaper of them. “The European Union is facing unprecedented pressure from multiple overlapping crises, yet at the same time it is developing new mechanisms to strengthen its collective resilience,” she stated. David Král, Director-General of the Section for European Affairs at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, added that the EU is no stranger to crisis management. He recalled the failure of the Constitutional Treaty, the debt crisis, migration, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. “For the past twenty years, we have been living in a state of permanent crisis management,” he noted. According to him, what makes the current situation different is primarily the number of directions from which crises are emerging.

H. E. Alan Gibbons, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic, pointed out that most EU Member States are relatively small countries on a global scale. This is precisely why European cooperation is essential: “We can face these crises in isolation, or through the European Union. For smaller European states, there is simply no alternative.” While the Union is not perfect and decision-making can be slow and complex, its ability to unite 27 countries and 450 million people remains its fundamental strength.

The Presidency as a Capacity to Build Compromise

According to Aliki Pascali, it is incorrect to view the Presidency merely as a technical or administrative role. “The Presidency remains an important driver of the legislative process. Its true weight lies in its ability to build compromises,” she said.

Cyprus took over the Presidency in an exceptionally complex period but with realistic ambitions. Its goal was to deliver a “results-driven presidency,” focusing on concrete outcomes. Pascali highlighted, among other priorities, the SAFE financial instrument, progress in migration policy, support for Ukraine, competitiveness, and EU enlargement. She identified negotiations on the new Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 as a key priority. In June, Cyprus presented the first revised negotiating framework with concrete figures, intended to pave the way for an agreement by the end of 2026.

Ireland to Focus Primarily on Budgetary and Competitiveness Agenda

Ireland assumes the Presidency under the motto “Strength with Unity” with three main priorities: competitiveness, values, and security. In the area of competitiveness, Ireland will build on the One Europe, One Market roadmap aimed at strengthening the single market. Gibbons noted that internal barriers within the single market are, according to analyses, equivalent to high tariffs within the Union itself. The EU must therefore work towards a simpler and smarter regulatory environment rather than deregulation.

Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy, and investment will also be key topics over the coming six months. The Ambassador highlighted that Ireland will host an AI summit in October. In the field of energy, he stressed the need for faster decarbonisation and greater use of renewable energy sources. At the same time, he emphasized that values remain a distinct priority for Ireland. “Values are not just for good times. They should serve as our compass precisely when circumstances are difficult,” he added.

From the Czech perspective, Král stressed the importance of focusing on the Multiannual Financial Framework, describing it as the main negotiating arena in the months ahead. The Czech Republic will closely follow funding for cohesion policy, agriculture, competitiveness, defence, and new EU priorities. “A good agreement is more important for us than a strict timeline,” he said. According to him, the Czech Republic appreciates that Cyprus has presented concrete figures, but negotiations will be complex due to differing positions among Member States.

Král also emphasized the importance of simplifying regulation, supporting start-ups, introducing the so-called 28th regime, as well as advancing energy policy and technological neutrality. While the Czech Republic supports the clean transition, it insists on a realistic approach and recognition of diverse energy mixes, including nuclear power. In terms of EU enlargement, he underlined the importance of maintaining a merit-based process without shortcuts, while ensuring political credibility.

The rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU remains an important tool for European negotiations. Cyprus has advanced several sensitive issues, but most legislative files are being handed over in a partially negotiated state. Ireland will therefore not be launching a new agenda but will instead take over a complex package of interlinked topics, including the budget, security, competitiveness, values, energy, and enlargement. The success of the Irish Presidency will thus be measured primarily by its ability to finalise compromises that are politically acceptable to Member States.