Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion

Mr. Filip Vurm:

The Czech Republic went through a transition during the 1990s after the fall of the communist regime and the establishment of democracy. We were very much focused on our foreign policy and joining the EU and NATO. From the very beginning, we believed this would be our most important security guarantee in the order created in the 1990s. Usually the foreign policy of a country is shaped by its direct experience and geographic position. This greatly influenced our decision to join NATO in 1999 and to join the EU in 2004.

In general, most of the Czech public supports the EU. I cannot give the Deputy an exact figure because I am not sure. Looking at the results of the election, most of the parties currently represented in the parliament are very pro-European. In this regard, the Czech Republic in general is very supportive of the EU.