AmCham EU welcomes the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Europe faces a wide range of challenges, starting with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. AmCham EU strongly condemns the war which violates international law and poses a clear threat to the fundamental values of human dignity, rule of law and democracy. Rebuilding Ukraine will be an important priority over the coming years. The uncertainty is further amplified by the pandemic, rising inflation, congested supply chains and a lack of trust in institutions around the world. 

The Czech Presidency will also take on a critical task in overseeing the Europe’s economic recovery around the twin transitions of environmental protection and digitalisation. As Europe moves to reduce its dependence on Russian natural gas through the REPowerEU initiative, the EU must act in a coordinated manner to provide concrete incentives that produce more local and low-carbon energy. Affordability and reliability of energy supply is vital for a competitive industry in Europe. 

Our recommendations to the Czech Presidency aim to ensure we reach our common objectives of a stronger and more prosperous EU. The document highlights the priorities and recommendations that we believe will make Europe a more competitive and attractive place for investment. AmCham EU looks forward to working closely with the Czech Republic during its Presidency to ensure we reach our common objectives of a strong, green and digital economic recovery.