Events

A debate titled “Israel Never Forgets” and the presentation of the Czech translation of Execution of the Hangman of Riga: The Only Execution of a Nazi War Criminal by the Mossad by Gad Shimron took place on the 28th of November.

On the 22nd of November at 17:30 the Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) together with the Czech Army and NATO hosted an even carrying the name “New Era of Collective Defense for NATO”.

On October 23rd, a debate on the topic “Axis of Evil – Geopolitical Contexts of Hamas Terror” took place at the CEVRO College. The event was organized by the Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR). The participants included Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the PCTR Council, Alexandr Vondra, National Security Advisor and PCTR Council member Tomáš Pojar, and PCTR experts Jaroslav Kuchyňa and Michael Žantovský. The debate was moderated by Jan Fingerland from Český Rozhlas.

On the 3rd of October PCTR hosted a closed expert debate from its cycle focusing on energy. The theme of this weeks meeting was The End of Coal? The main speakers were Daniel Beneš from ČEZ and Pavel Tykač, an owner of the group Sev.en. The meeting was moderated by a member of PCTR, Tomáš Pojar.

Conference organized by the Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations, CEVRO Institute under the auspices of the US Embassy in Prague and Vít Rakušan, The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister of the Interior.

Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations cordially invites you to a discussion with Václav Bartuška, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security, MFA John Jovanovic, CEO, Nova Fleet and Peter Stohr, Director, Premier Energy Group:  Energy Security: Balkans solutions, not Balkans problems on Monday, September 11 at 17:00, CEVRO Institute, Jungmannova 28, Praha 1. Cameron Munter, PCTR Senior Fellow, will moderate it.

Prague Center of Transatlantic Relations hosted a discussion with Gen Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces and Gen Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, “Defending Nato’s Eastern Flank: Challenges from Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine”.

Srdečně zveme na debatu s profesorem Václavem Smilem pořádanou Centrem Transatlantických vztahů (PCTR), která se uskuteční v pondělí 22. května od 17:00 v Atriu CEVRO Institutu, Jungmannova 28, Praha 1. Debata s názvem Evropa, Amerika, Asie: kdo s koho? Bude moderována Alexandrem Vondrou.

Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) and Prague Center for Middle East Relations (PCMR) cordially invite you to a discussion with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, on Thursday, May 4 at 18:00, CEVRO Institute, Jungmannova 28, Praha 1. The discussion titled Armenia’s Democratic Journey in a Turbulent Region: The Need for Security and Stability will be moderated by Alexandr Vondra, MEP.

Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations, CEVRO Institute hosted a discussion with Luke Harding on Thursday, March 2 at 17:00, CEVRO Institute, Jungmannova 28, Praha 1.

The Czech translation of his latest book Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival (Invaze: Ruská krvavá válka a ukrajinský boj o přežití) was launched at this event, co-organized with ZEĎ Publishing House.

The Czech translation of his latest book Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival (Invaze: Ruská krvavá válka a ukrajinský boj o přežití) will be launched at this event, co-organized with ZEĎ Publishing House.

Please, register at pctr@vsci.cz

A discussion of Amb Mark Regev, Micky Rozin- Aharonson and Dan Scheuftan and moderated by Tomas Pojar took place on the 16th of February in the CEVRO Institute.

On January 10, under the auspices of the PCTR, a closed expert debate on the issue of the approach to revitalizing the mobilization system of material resources and production capacities took place at the CEVRO Institute. The invitation to the debate was accepted by Lieutenant General Ing. Karel Řehka, František Šulc, Luboš Kovařík, and David Hác.

As we await the results of the US midterm elections, join us to assess the first two years of the Biden administration and what we can expect from the following two. We will discuss US social, economic, and foreign policy issues. What issues will motivate Americans to vote? What is the crucial agenda Americans will focus on in their electoral decision? Will the results of these elections affect the US policy toward Ukraine or limit Biden’s generous spending programs? Why Trump’s popularity outnumbers Biden’s, according to many polls and what would be the impact of the former president on midterms? Does Trump have a chance to retake the presidency? Or will the midterms indicate the strengths and weaknesses of other potential candidates?

This closed expert debate focused on the reaction of the state during the first phase of the Ukraine war when several web pages and news servers were shut down for having spread disinformation.

The World of Change: Civilization on the Threshold of a New Era is the first of his books published on the Czech market. The book launch and a follow-up discussion as moderated by Jan Růžiska and Tomáš Pojar. The event took place in the CEVRO Institute and was done in cooperation with INFO.CZ and PPF.

The main guest of the expert who closed the debate by PCTR was Miodrag Vlahovic, who talked about the maintaining influence of the Russian Federation in the countries of west Balkan and about the means and operations, that Russia uses to achieve this. The debate was moderated by the Balkan expert Matyáš Zrno.

Another debate from the cycle of closed-expert PCTR debates focused on the key challenges faced by the Czech energy sector

The presentation of the research paper titled Technology Cooperations and Their Responsibility for Content on the Internet, written under PCTR and the New Direction Foundation by JUDr. Rudolf Leška and Michal Půr took place on the 12th of May.

The debate was opened by a brief presentation of two research papers: The Electro-energy Security in the Czech Republic Until 2030 written by the main analyst of Sev. en Pavel Farkač and Crossroad of Czech Energy by the commissioner for energy security Václav Bartuška.

“Cooperation between governments in maintaining and developing military capabilities is currently not only necessary, but should be preferred. Legislation or interpretative views in the European Union do not in any way restrict this approach”

The Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) and the Center for Middle East Relations (PCMR) of the CEVRO Institute held a debate on Turkey-EU relations in the context of Russian aggression in Ukraine on 5 April 2022 with Faruk Kaymakci, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister and Director of European Affairs.

The Center for Middle East Relations (PCMR) and the Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) of the CEVRO Institute held a closed round table on the situation in Sinai and the role of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) with Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft, MFO Director.

PCTR had the honor to host the Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoană at a debate in the CEVRO Institute during his visit to the Czech Republic. His lecture and a follow-up debate were organized by the PCTR in cooperation with the Ministery of Foreign Affairs, Jagello 2000, and the Aspen Institute.

The launch of two publications took place at the CEVRO Institute on 9 March. Jan Paďourek, Senior Fellow of the CEVRO Institute’s Center for Transatlantic Relations, participated in both as an author.

Another invitation-only expert debate focusing on critical challenges of the Czech energy sector took place on December 8. Tomáš Pleskač, ČEZ Board Member and New Energy Division Director, opened the discussion with a presentation on the construction of the new nuclear unit Dukovany 5.

For the first time, Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations became the partner responsible for the content of the Better Czechia 2021, the annual Forbes conference.

Geopolitics is back. Since 2014 our region has been again confronted with the political instability at its borders, the incertitude created by the tectonic processes in global politics and economy, and the rise of new security threats. One of the reactions to those processes is strengthening cooperation in the CEE region, represented by initiatives such as Trimarium or Bucharest Nine.

We kindly invite you to a discussion with Francise Fukuyama, which will take place on the 3rd of November from 5:30 PM at the CEVRO Institute.

Another invitation-only expert debate focusing on critical challenges of the Czech energy sector took place on November 2. Vladimír Dlouhý, President of The Czech Chamber of Commerce, and Jiří Feist, Strategy Director of EP Energy, opened the discussion with their remarks. 

Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) organized an invitation-only expert debate focusing on the future of the Czech Army in connection with social, economic and security developments.

The session focused on the implications of the chaotic withdrawal of Coalition forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban decisively taking control of the country. “It was not something unexpected, but it was unexpected it would go so badly,” said G. Kepel in his opening remarks.

Kurt Volker accepted PCTRs invitation to visit the Czech Republic on September 6-9. His wife, Ia Meurmishvili, who works for the Georgian desk of Voice of America, accompanied him.

Another invitation-only expert debate focusing on critical challenges of the Czech energy sector took place on September 7. Martin Durčák, chairman of the Board of ČEPS, and Pavel Tykač, owner of the Sev.en Energy AG, opened the discussion with their remarks, Alexander Vondra and Tomáš Pojar moderated it.

The debate focused on questions like How to secure energy self-sufficiency in the Czech Republic after closing coal power plants.

On the day of the NATO Summit in Brussels, almost thirty foreign and security policy experts, journalists and CEVRO graduates discussed the Czech-American political, military, strategic and business ties that have increased importance in the aftermath of the Vrbětice case.

While visting the Czech Republic in May, 2021, Benjamin Hodges made an appearance in the CEVRO Institute. You can now find the recording of the event here, or on the CEVRO Institute Youtube channel.

LTG Ben Hodges (Ret) visited the Czech Republic at the invitation of the Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations CEVRO Institute on May 25-27. He made a speech titled One Flank, One Threat, One Presence and discussed the actual threats the transatlantic allies face today with PCTR experts and guests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, diplomats, defence industry representatives, and journalists on Tuesday, May 25.

The Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations hosted an expert briefing with European and Eurasian Affairs Acting Assistant Secretary Philip T. Reeker on April 21.
Phil Reeker has a unique insight into the transition process from Trump to the Biden administration.

A debate with Peter Liese, Tommy Steiner and Miroslav Singer about the different paths of three countries (the Czech Republic, Germany and Israel) and about the social and political impact of the pandemic.

A discussion about Biden Administration’s foreign policy towards Europe took place on the 12th of April 2021.
The opening remarks were made by Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová, Assistant Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Non-European Countries and Zdeněk Beránek, DCM, The Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C.

More than twenty key figures of the Czech defence, security, and intelligence communities gathered to convey their opinions on the Czech defence and security system’s pressing challenges.
Opening remaks:
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Povejšil and Deputy Minister of Defense Jan Havránek

Alexandr Vondra and Tomáš Pojar participated in the conference organized by The Portuguese Presidency of The Council of The European Union on security and defence issues.  Alexandr Vondra had the opportunity to discuss the actual challenges of the transatlantic relationship with João Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Defence of Portugal.

His latest book The Storm Before The Calm (2020) was translated into Czech as Klid před bouří (Tomáš Krsek Publishers) only a few months after being published in the United States and was the main topic of the discussion.
The debate with George Friedman took place on March 11. The debate was opened by Alexandr Vondra and later discussion moderated by Tomáš Pojar.

Briefing by Cameron Munter about what to expect from the key members of Biden’s foreign polity team.
Cameron Munter has been PCTRs senior fellow from February 2021. He worked for nearly thirty years in the service of American diplomacy.
The briefing took place on February 25.

Hanane Saadi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Czech Republic
Daniel Meron, Ambassador of Israel to the Czech Republic
Jan Zahradil, Member of the European Parliament
Moderated by Alexandr Vondra, Chairman of the PCTR Board and Member of the European Parliament

In cooperation with Hanns Seidel Stiftung (HSS) and with the media support of Natoaktual organised, PCTR hosted an online discussion with a German expert Wilfried Jilge on Russian Influence in Germany and the Current State of Play of German-Russian Relations. The debate was moderated by Tomáš Pojar, Vice-Rector of CEVRO Institute.

Two different views on the upcoming U.S. elections were offered by Jay Footlik and Rick Smotkin. The debate was moderated by Tomáš Pojar, Vice-Rector of CEVRO Institute. That is what was presented in the online discussion on September 21, organized by the PCTR.

The debate with leading British conservative journalist and writer Douglas Murray on cultural wars in times of the pandemic took place on June 22 and was moderated by Alexandr Vondra, Honorary Chairman of PCTR.  Douglas Murray is currently the main star of the weekly The Spectator.

John Rood was the Chief American Negotiator on the location of a previously planned part of the missile defence system on the Czech territory. In addition to many years of service as Under Secretary of State and Defense and as a member of the National Security Council he worked as an analyst for the CIA as well. During his career in the private sector, he also served as Vice President at Lockheed Martin and Rytheon Company.

The Prague Centre for Transatlantic Relations of the CEVRO Institute (PCTR) organised an online discussion with British journalist and foreign policy expert Tom Gross on Boris Johnson and his capabilities to handle the pandemic and to lead Britain to Brexit. The debate was moderated by Tomáš Pojar, Vice-Rector of CEVRO Institute.

PCTR organised an online discussion with former Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs (2013-2015) Bruno Maçães on the pandemic, the crisis which brings and how will be coped by East, West, the U.S. and the EU.