The Czech paradigm of european integration: problems and perspectives

• Main Author: Svitlana Motruk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Department of Modern and Contemporary History of Foreign Countries 2018-03-01
• Series: Європейські історичні студії
• Subjects: The European Union; Czech Republic; foreign policy; European integration; European optimism; European skepticism
• Online Access: http://eustudies.history.knu.ua/svitlana-motruk-the-czech-paradigm-of-european-integration-problems-and-perspectives/

On the basis of a wide range of documents from the European Union and Czech Republic, the article analyses preconditions, main stage and consequences of the integration with the EU, the features of the Czech integration model, its legislative basis and institutional mechanism. The author emphasizes that the transition into a full-fledge EU member in May 2004 was the result of a long, complicated and painful process of the «European Come Back», which started in the early 1990’s and allowed the state’s government to solve a number of problems. In particular, the author argues that the Czech government managed to have improved the macroeconomic situation, to accelerate structural reforms and to adapt the national legislation to the EU legislative system. The Czech experience proves that the EU membership may have both advantages and disadvantages. The article draws special attention to the results and consequences of the Czech EU membership. Numerous facts provided in the paper allow to evaluate the state’s gains from the integration processes and to emphasize the key trends, main challenges and new opportunities for the country. Last but not least, the article studies the causes of multivariance and discrepancy of the European integration prospects, the low level of trust among the Czechs towards the EU, stable strengthening of European skepticism, the factors that had an impact on the results of the last parliamentary and presidential elections of 2017 and 2018 respectively.