Pavol Szalai
25. 2. 2013
Defending nuclear energy in Western Europe is almost a faux pas. Even France, the most pronuclear country, has committed itself to reduce the nuclear portion of its electricity mix. Against the odds, the Visegrad countries remain faithful to the atom. If the Czechs, Hungarians, Poles, and Slovaks want to develop their nuclear industries, they should cooperate.
Pavol Szalai
20. 8. 2012
Shale gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) have revolutionized natural gas trading around the world. Now they raise hopes for a more secure supply of gas-based energy in Central Europe. Unconventional gas sources and LNG can indeed reduce the Visegrad 4′s dependence on Russian gas imports. But they have to be promoted through concerted government action, which can also mitigate the risks.
Pavol Szalai
2. 4. 2012
Democracy, the free market, and the transatlantic bond were the three pillars of Václav Havel’s vision of Central Europe. And while the former dissident and Czechoslovak President witnessed these things come true, by the end of his life, he saw them eroded as much by Central Europe as by its role model, the West. Mitteleuropa is again at a crossroads.
