Dita Charanz MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament has been working in Brussels for many years, during which she became one of the most distinctive faces of European politics. We asked her to comment on some of the current EU-related topics for our magazine.
What do you think of the new European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen? How do you view her programme priorities?
The current situation has shaken up the original plans of the European Commission. Last autumn, Ursula von der Leyen came up with a very ambitious plan to make Europe a carbon-neutral continent. These are certainly noble goals, but we also need to look at not putting the entire European economy on the altar, so that our coal regions have sufficient financial set up for such a transformation. Today, however, it is clear that the coronavirus pandemic will set our priorities differently, after which we will have to focus on EU recovery. I hope that the Commission will be very active in this regard and will find ways to start the recovery process as quickly and effectively as possible.
What do you think about the UK's departure from the EU? What will be Europe like without Britain and what will Britain be like without Europe?
I am personally very sorry for Brexit, it should not have happened. But I have no choice but to respect the opinion of British citizens, and they have decided for. The EU will miss Britain and vice versa. This also complicates business and political relations. The common goal should be an agreement that solves the most pressing issues, such as maintaining trade cooperation without unnecessary barriers, such as close security cooperation and the situation of our citizens living on the islands for a long time. A special chapter for me is the Erasmus programme, which should be retained not only for existing students at British schools, but also for new ones who want to apply for it in the future.
What does Brexit mean for Czechia in particular?
It is far from negligible - Britain is a traditional trading partner for us, one of the most important in terms of sales. Trade with Britain is the second most effective relation of Czech foreign trade. EU-Britain trade cooperation needs to be as narrow as possible. This is crucial for Czech companies, both directly and indirectly - in the form of subcontracting to direct sellers. We also need no customs and tariff barriers such as different product standards. We will also miss the British in the European institutions, often sharing very similar opinions and attitudes as we do. We would say that they used the same common sense. They were our traditional allies. From this point of view, the chair will remain empty.
By the end of the year, a trade agreement between the EU and Britain should be negotiated. How are the negotiations coming along? Will they make the deadline - even in the context of the coronavirus pandemic? What will we have to give in to, the EU, and in what British?
The answer to this question would be divination from a crystal ball. The deadlines were tight even without a coronavirus pandemic. Negotiations, however, are continuing in some virtual mode. The outcome may also depend on the UK whether to request a postponement of the deadlines in the given situation. From a procedural point of view, it is up to the will of British politicians.
You are a member of the European Parliament's delegations to develop EU relations with the US, Latin America and MERCOSUR. Has there been any progress in these relations? What is a priority for the EU in this respect?
The greatest shift in my work in these delegations has been achieved in trade cooperation with MERCOSUR countries. After more than twenty years of negotiations, we have reached an agreement that is mutually beneficial, and I believe that Czech companies will also benefit from it. As far as the Union's relations with the US are concerned, we are trying to alleviate the tensions in trade relations that began with the arrival of President Donald Trump. We are now working to improve the conditions for negotiating a trade agreement. Another customs war would not help anyone.
How do you think EU expansion should continue? And should it continue at all?
We should be open to further expansion, but very deliberately and thoughtfully, not just for the sake of it. That is, only with those who are ready for it and meet the conditions of membership. I therefore fully support the efforts of the Western Balkan countries in this regard, and I am glad that, as the EU, we have finally opened accession agreements with Albania and Northern Macedonia.
There has been talk of the efforts of France and Germany to create a common European army for a long time. Do you think this is realistic? And what do you think of such an effort?
This is a question that has been regularly opened up in European circles for decades. Time will tell if it’s realistic. At the moment I would consider it much more beneficial to concentrate on buying technology or joint training together. Since 2017, a common European programme has been in place, which it is also an opportunity to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation within the next EU budget. Simply coordinate everything so that the right hand knows what the left is doing so that we act systematically as members of one whole, the EU. At the same time, cooperation within NATO, where Britain will remain a member, remains crucial.
In the campaign during the last European elections, you repeatedly said that the EU needs to be reformed. How specifically?
Perhaps nobody doubts the need to reform the EU today. I'm no exception. It must be openly admitted that in some respects we let the administration and ideology go too far and listen little to people. It should be exactly the opposite. Brexit is a bit of a wake up call for everyone... Now we have make a call when to operate from Brussels and where Member States can help work out topics on their own better. We need to point out the powers that should be returned to the Member States - this is a fundamental pillar of the principle of subsidiarity, which stands in every fundamental EU treaty. This will help us benefit primarily from the well-functioning of the single market. Today's solution to the pandemic will also make us think deeply about how all our institutions work.
Many “ordinary” Czech citizens see the EU and what is happening in Brussels as something distant that they cannot influence. Is there a way to change it?
This is a very difficult question. I perceive it exactly as you describe it. And I'm very sorry. In our country, this feeling is much more intense than in most other EU countries, we are one of the most Eurosceptic countries. To change the situation, we need the interaction of politicians who tend to blame all the failures on Brussels and the media. They sometimes try to shock with the misleading headlines about restrictions at the expense of what the EU may have done. It is not about making people naive Eurooptimists, but we need also take greater account of the positive effects of the EU. One example for all - thanks to EU structural funds, Czechia has become richer and our GDP has increased by 37% since 2004. Unfortunately, the media doesn’t talk much about it...
The European Politico.eu server has ranked among you the 20 most influential women of European politics. How does it feel?
What should I say? It's a great feeling. It had been the third time this year and it doesn’t get old. It is a kind of report card that says that I do something right with my agenda and everyday work. And for that, of course, I am very happy. It pleases me.
Dita Charanzová is a diplomat, manager, consultant and former senior civil servant on EU issues. She has been a Member of the European Parliament since July 2014 (without political affiliation on behalf of ANO) and, since July 2019, its Vice-President.
She was born on 30th April, 1975 in Prague. She graduated from the University of Economics in Prague and later graduated from the Diplomatic Academy in Madrid.
She worked for eight years in diplomatic services.
#She focuses mainly on three areas in the European Parliament: consumer protection, digital economy and international trade.
She is Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and a substitute member of the Committee on International Trade (INTA). In addition to committees, she is a member of four parliamentary delegations: Delegation to the EU-Latin America Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT), Delegation for relations with MERCOSUR, Delegation for relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (CARIFORUM) and Delegation to the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committees, EU-Azerbaijan and EU-Georgia.
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