The Czech Republic is taking over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is the second time this country is taking over this responsibility since it joined the EU in 2004. To mark this event, European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen and the Czech Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, are today meeting at Litomyšl Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located some 160 kilometers from the Czech capital-city Prague. The presidency adopted the motto „Europe as a task”, inspired from a speech delivered by the ex-president Vaclav Havel. During its term in office, the Czech Republic will focus on the war in Ukraine and its consequences, seeking to manage the flow of refugees and improve energy security. The Czech Presidency will organize a number of ministerial meetings and at least one summit of the 27 Member States.
