THE CZECH REPUBLIC: TEN YEARS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Czech Republic was born as an independent State January 1, 1993, after the split up of the two republics that formed the Czechoslovak Federation, and joined the EU on May 1, 2004. From this moment to May 1, 2014 we will describe: a) the divergent positions that the successive Czech governments have adopted in the crucial moments of the European integration process; b) the most relevant decisions and proposals from the three successive Czech commissioners; c) the positions adopted by the most active Czech MEPs; and d) the changing Czech public opinion towards the EU. And finally, we will assess the << Eurosceptic period >> (2006-2013) when the European policy was headed by ODS (in the government) and from Vaclav Klaus (in the presidency), since their proposal have been close to the British conservatives interests, and their Eurosceptic approach has not only generated any hope in the Czech citizenship, but it has encouraged a defeatist spirit which has no provide any substantial benefit to the EU, nor to the Czech Republic.