How I See this War

English Pages, 26. 3. 2003

In an extensive interview for Hospodářské noviny (on March 21), I was asked what is, in my opinion, the reason behind the current war operation against Iraq. I did not reply, as I knew that an answer couldn’t be condensed into one simple sentence. That is why I want to use the format of this article to express my opinions on that topic a little bit more extensively.

First Inaugural Address delivered by Václav Klaus

English Pages, 7. 3. 2003

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Guests from home and abroad, Mr. President Václav Havel - and I am saying Mr. President deliberately because I believe that people will always say that (as they should), ...

Remarks at the European Parliament in Strassbourg

English Pages, 21. 11. 2002

1. As one of the leaders of opposition in the Czech Republic, I would like to say here very clearly that we are ready and willing to participate in the European integration process. We have always been a part of Europe and we do not intend to stay aside just now.

How to Build a Free and Functioning Society?

English Pages, 16. 10. 2002

For someone like me who spent most of his life in the communist era (not mentioning that I was born when the country was occupied by another totalitarian regime, by Fascist Germany), the dreams, talks, plans and projects how to get rid of it, how to change it, how to reform it, were an integral and ever-present part of his life and his endeavours. Having discussed it over and over again, we understood that two, quite different tasks have to be distinguished.

Speech at the British Conservative Party Conference

English Pages, 9. 10. 2002

1. It is a great honour to be here with you. Let me, on behalf of the Czech Civic Democratic Party, express our greetings as well as our best wishes for your future political successes. We all in Europe need it and wait for it. My personal wish (and strong belief) is that you remain the strongest and most influential European political party in its advocacy of freedom, parliamentary democracy, free markets and traditional conservative values because your role in Europe is irreplaceable.

Post-Communist Era: Atmosphere of Victory or of Lost Illusions?

English Pages, 2. 9. 2002

Almost 13 years have passed since the collapse of communism in the Czech Republic and in other Central and East European countries. No one can deny that we have quite rapidly succeeded in liquidating the formal structures and mechanisms of the communist society and in establishing the basic stage of the European version of the system of parliamentary democracy and market economy. This is, on the one hand, not a bad result. My question is, however, whether it is exactly what we – or some of us – really wanted. Whether we are building free society based on classical liberal principles or whether we have fallen into the blind alley of a regulated society, of an unproductive welfare state, of a brave new world of contemporary European socialdemocratism and of an empty and artificial Europeanism (or internationalism).

Post-Communist Era: Atmosphere of Victory or of Lost Illusions?

English Pages, 2. 9. 2002

Almost 13 years have passed since the collapse of communism in the Czech Republic and in other Central and East European countries. No one can deny that we have quite rapidly succeeded in liquidating the formal structures and mechanisms of the communist society and in establishing the basic stage of the European version of the system of parliamentary democracy and market economy. This is, on the one hand, not a bad result. My question is, however, whether it is exactly what we – or some of us – really wanted. Whether we are building free society based on classical liberal principles or whether we have fallen into the blind alley of a regulated society, of an unproductive welfare state, of a brave new world of contemporary European socialdemocratism and of an empty and artificial Europeanism (or internationalism).

Notes for the Independence Day Speech

English Pages, 4. 7. 2002

Mr. Ambassador, Ladies and Gentlemen I am personally honoured to be asked to say a few words on behalf of the Czechs who are here today. We are, all of us, honoured by being here together with our American friends celebrating the 226th Independence Day of the United States of America.

Vaclav Klaus speaks with The Prague Post

English Pages, 13. 5. 2002

About the June election, defending Czech interests, criticizing the European Union, tangling with President Vaclav Havel, and other topics.

Czech Republic at the Gates of EU

English Pages, 4. 3. 2002

Discussing Europe in March 2002, two parallel, directly non-connected issues should be analytically strictly distinguished. The first one is the discussion of the process of the European integration itself, of its forms, its speed, its phases, its costs and benefits, its spontaneous character and/or its political constructivism. The second one is the discussion of the possibilities of a small country, located in the heart of Europe, which was out of this process for half a century, to rationally participate in it. This is the issue of enlargement.

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How I See this War

First Inaugural Address delivered by Václav Klaus

Remarks at the European Parliament in Strassbourg

How to Build a Free and Functioning Society?

Speech at the British Conservative Party Conference

Post-Communist Era: Atmosphere of Victory or of Lost Illusions?

Post-Communist Era: Atmosphere of Victory or of Lost Illusions?

Notes for the Independence Day Speech

Vaclav Klaus speaks with The Prague Post

Czech Republic at the Gates of EU