Prague, June 28 (CTK) – Neither political courage, nor will to changes to make the EU more acceptable for its citizens can be expected from European Commission (EC) President Jean-Claude Juncker, Czech Defence Minister Stropnicky said at the Zofin Forum conference on Tuesday.
The well-managed EC is a necessary condition for an EU reform, which is not the case of the current EC lineup, Stropnicky (ANO) said.
He spoke about the Brexit consequences in his long speech at the Zofin Forum focused on military and security issues.
Stropnicky said Britain’s departure from the EU would be a very noticeable change in terms of security, though the country would remain a NATO member.
Brexit comes in the worst possible times when Russia is pressing on the European Eastern border aggressively, attempting to destroy the remains of European political unity and when Islamic terrorism and extremism are pushing refugee waves to Europe, Stropnicky said.
He warned of a chain of “small political mistakes” that might result in a fatal crisis.
The migration issue was decisive for the Brexit referendum, Stropnicky said. Its result was affected by the failed migration policy of the EC and several big EU member states, he said, adding that the “domino effect” of Brexit should not be underestimated.
Stropnicky is also of the view that Brexit is a suitable opportunity for an EU reform.
A capable EC leadership is needed for an EU reform that is meant seriously, but this is not possible in the current EC lineup, Stropnicky said, criticising mainly Juncker.
He said no political courage, not to mention the will to any changes to make the EU more acceptable and comprehensible for citizens can be expected from Juncker.
Moreover, Juncker shares responsibility for the negative result of the British referendum, Stropnicky indicated.
“The European Commission, including its leadership, has not persuaded me on its self-reflexion. On the contrary, Juncker’s statements, such as ‘Let them go’ and similar, were quite unfortunate. I do not consider it the best way to agree on some balanced, intensive relation, which both Europe and Britain still need,” Stropnicky told CTK.
