PM Fiala: Czech presidency sought compromises while defending national interests

The Czech Presidency sought compromises acceptable to all parties, but at the same it also defended the interests of Czech citizens, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a press conference on Tuesday evaluating the previous six months at the helm of the EU Council.

According to the Minister of European Affairs, Mikuláš Bek, the government managed to shift the general perception of the Czech Republic from that of a Hungarian satellite on the periphery of Europe to a country that plays an active role at the centre of European affairs.

During the Czech Presidency, EU countries agreed, among other things, on an €18 billion financial aid package to Ukraine and on the adoption of another three sanction packages against Russia. They also approved caps on wholesale gas prices on the EU market and a provisional deal on parts of the Fit for 55 climate package.