Relaxed Exercises
The Czech Republic and Germany in the EU
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For the first time in contemporary history, one can speak of Czechs and Germans cooperating with one another instead of going head-to-head or merely existing side-by-side. The asymmetry of power between the two states and the memory of the Second World War may still influence Czech political thought, but mutual integration in NATO and the EU has clearly reduced the significance of such factors. There may still be fundamental differences of opinion on basic issues of European policy that the Czech political world sees as central to their making a mark in terms of programmes. In fields of policy, however, both sides are showing a pragmatism unperturbed by the political storms surrounding political treatment of the past and basic issues of European policy.
(Osteuropa 10/2006, pp. 51–64)