15. 7. 20020:00
Policy Statement of the Government of the Czech Republic (2002)
Policy Statement
Statement of Government Policy
of the Czech Republic
Prague, August 2002
3. The democratic state governed by law
3.1. The development of democracy and a state governed by law
3.2. Human rights
3.3. The judicial system and the prison system
3.4. Public prosecutors
3.5. Public administration
4.1. Economic policy
4.2. Public finances
4.3. Industrial policy
4.4. External economic relations
4.5. Transport and communications
4.6. Information society
4.7. Agriculture and rural development
5. Regional development and housing
5.1. Regional development
5.2. Housing
5.3. Tourism
5.4. The environment
6.1. Welfare policy
6.1.1. Social dialogue and collective bargaining
6.1.2. Employment, labour-law relations and safety and protection of health at work
6.1.3. Income and remuneration policy
6.1.4. Social security
6.2. Family policy
6.3. Education
6.4. Youth and sport
6.5. Research and development
6.6. Health care
6.7. Culture
7. Defence and internal security
7.1. Defence
7.2. Internal security
7.3. Integrated rescue system and crisis management
9.1. Accession to the European Union
9.2. Compatibility of Czech law with European Community law
9.3. The preparation of institutions for accession to the European Union
1. Introduction
The Government of the Czech Republic presents this statement of policy to the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and to the public. We are convinced that the vote of confidence to be made by the Chamber of Deputies in the coalition government formed from the political parties CSSD, KDU-CSL and US-DEU will be based on factual debate of this document and that this discussion will further contribute to identifying problems that our society is facing and finding ways in which they can be overcome. At the same time, the Government believes that it has a duty to create room for far-reaching and effective communication concerning the development of our country during the next four years, not only with the nation’s representatives but also with the general public.
2. Objectives and priorities
The Government, endeavouring to implement the principles of the European welfare model based on a socially-oriented and ecologically-sound market economy, aims to contribute to making this society one of education, participation and solidarity in order that in this sense it can be considered a modern society of the 21st century. The Government is aware of the fact that this objective will never be accomplished without the active co-operation of all the citizens of the Czech Republic, and it is also aware of the restrictions on governmental policy arising from the free individual activities of these citizens. The Government will strive for the development of a state which respects the principles of democracy and human rights, free trade unions and the representation of employers’ interests, and employee participation in controlling corporate management; which supports the development of the civil society, the growth of favourable conditions in the private sector and social protection based on the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, the protection of rights of ownership, and which creates equal opportunities and a dignified standard of living for all. In these efforts, we must also take into consideration the demographic ageing of the population and the need to prepare for this in a systematic way.
The process of integration of European nations into a community, forming not just a common economic area of fair competition and the optimal use of human and material resources but in particular an area of mutual sharing of ideas of spiritual, cultural and human development, represents a unique opportunity for this country to take part in this unprecedented European endeavour. The Government is determined to expend all efforts toward the successful completion of accession negotiations with the European Union and to agree the most advantageous conditions for the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union. Preparations for accession will place great demands on communication with the public, especially in view of the fact that the Government considers it to be absolutely essential to establish legislative conditions for decision-making concerning accession of this country to the European Union through a referendum. We will also expend all efforts in order to convince the citizens of this country that it is in the best interests of us all to acquire membership in the European Union during first round of its enlargement.
The Government is aware of a level of disenchantment that citizens have experienced due to negative effects from developments following the Revolution in 1989, which mainly centre on the lack of transparency in the privatisation of vast amounts of property belonging to the nation, on corporate assets-stripping and on the collapse of banks, credit unions and other institutions managing joint investment schemes. It is therefore determined to vest comprehensive powers in law-enforcement bodies, from which it expects impartial and uncompromising investigation of all cases of serious economic and financial crime. It considers the loss of citizens’ interest in public issues to be particularly alarming, which was evident in the lowest ever turn-out of the electorate at the latest elections to the Chamber of Deputies. The Government considers the participation of citizens in the administration of matters of public interest to be a means for utilising human potential, the release of which can act against manifestations of estranged and essentially passive social phenomena. It sees this participation not only as a motivating and inspiring factor that increases productivity through raising the number of innovators, but also as a basis for the self-confidence of citizens that exhibits itself in their active participation in political groups and in the application of the principle of subsidiarity.
The Government considers the completion of the reform of public administration to be one of its main priorities and understands this in terms of providing a service to citizens which advances the civil society. Its fundamental tasks will be to ensure the balanced development of regions and municipalities during the wide-spread introduction of elements of local government, the establishment of minimum levels for public services provision and conditions for the availability of these services to citizens, and the fine tuning of a rational assignment of competences between individual levels of public administration.
A society that exhibits solidarity is brought into being through applying the principle of social cohesion and by avoiding needless conflicts arising from the unilateral polarisation of groups with opposing interests. The Government advocates the principle of solidarity between young and old, healthy and sick, and rich and poor. The Government wants to encourage the idea of continuous and multilateral social dialogue and wants to take an active part in this dialogue as a partner to it.
The Government has established the following priorities for its forthcoming four-year term of office:
- the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union, while at the same time negotiating optimal conditions for the Czech Republic;
- ensuring the safety of citizens and the protection of their lives, health, rights and property;
- the development of a welfare state on the basis of a socially-oriented and ecologically-sound market economy, while at the same time maintaining social cohesion and social peace;
- the development of conditions for free enterprise, the maintenance of economic development, the growth of the GDP and the harmonious development of regions and municipalities;
- the intensive fight against all forms of corruption and serious economic crime;
- multifaceted support for education, science and culture;
- the development of the democratic state governed by law and elements of local government;
- the progressive strengthening of public finances;
- permanent sustainable development and the protection of the environment;
- well-balanced foreign policy and involvement in the fight against international terrorism;
- strengthening the participation of the citizens in decision-making;
- comprehensive support for the family and newly married couples.
In the following chapters, the Government presents not only individual objectives and intentions arising from these priorities, but it also identifies specific measures necessary for their accomplishment. It is aware of how challenging they will be to achieve and that their accomplishment is, at a completely fundamental level, subject to the effective creation of sources of revenue, as well as being dependent on favourable developments in conditions both in the national economy and in international politics. It believes the priorities presented here to be sufficiently beneficial and necessary to our country that it will make the utmost efforts to ensure their completion.
3. The democratic state governed by law
3.1. The development of democracy and a state governed by law
The development of a democratic state governed by law and based on the values of freedom, equality, justice, democracy, tolerance of differences and above all solidarity with those that are weaker, under threat or defenceless is the first priority of the Government. This Government considers a democratic state governed by law to be one which, through its system of law and its actual enforceability, provides all citizens and legal entities with equal access to rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and in ratified conventions on human rights. The Government believes that the road to a truly emancipated society exists in the concept of a state which is bound without exception to abide by the law and which serves citizens, to whom it provides the certainty of freedom to decide the course of their lives. The Government will make efforts to create an environment governed by the law which limits the various forms of discrimination and the segregation of certain groups of citizens from a common environment. The aim of the Government is to humanise not only social relations but also social changes which will deepen the welfare dimensions of transformation and democracy as guarantees for each citizen for the free determination of their lives.
The Government has resolved to continue with fundamental steps that lead towards:
- incorporation of the principle of general referendum in constitutional law in order that the fundamental questions of domestic and foreign policy of the State can be decided directly by citizens, including the decision on the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union;
-far-ranging debate on constitutional law concerning amendments to the Constitution enabling the direct election of the President of the Republic, limitation of the scope of Deputies’ and Senators’ immunity from prosecution, the more precise demarcation of the interdependent competences of constitutional bodies and extension of the controlling powers of the Supreme Audit Office to cover as an additional issue the financial management of state resources by local government bodies;
-the completion of the transformation of the system of law primarily consisting in the proposal of new legislation, including new codices on bankruptcy law, Civil Code, Commercial Code, Labour Code and Criminal Code, as well as an overall re-arrangement of the system of law that would make it more clearly organised;
-the preparation of new regulations governing legal relations between employer and employee, manufacturer and consumer, and landlord and tenant, ensuring that these relations are balanced correctly between the parties concerned.
3.2. Human rights
The Government has a foremost objective to safeguard equal access to all rights guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and in ratified conventions on human rights. It has resolved to scrutinise individual recommendations made by international control bodies established by conventions on human rights and to adhere to them as part of implementing its policy of further improving the level of protection of human rights at the domestic level. At the same time, it intends to continue in constructive dialogue with these international control bodies. In addition, the Government will create domestic mechanisms to enforce the decisions made by all the control bodies of human rights conventions in individual cases. The Government will also propose legislation to implement rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.
In a democratic state governed by law, the protection of the human rights naturally comes to the fore regarding persons with fewer advantages, such as children, senior citizens, physically disabled persons and those suffering from mental impairment. The Government will devote special attention to conditions in institutional facilities.
In order to ensure equal access to justice, and thus provide more effective protection of human rights, the Government will propose a bill for the improvement of legislation on free legal aid.
One of the primary objectives of government policy on human rights will be the further improvement of the system of law in order that it not only prohibit discrimination in all its forms, but also provide effective instruments of enforcement. Appropriate amendments will be made to the legal system in conformity with the resolution of the previous Government and with the commitment to implement the relevant directive of the European Community.
The Government considers the protection of the rights of ethnic minorities to be an integral part of the overall protection of human rights. It will pay particular attention to the support of cultural activities, to ensuring equal access to education in the languages of ethnic minorities, to safeguarding participation in resolving matters that concern them, including the use of minority languages, to the support of involvement in broadcasting in public service media and to cross-cultural education in society. The Government will focus on creating conditions for ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
The Government will make special efforts to assist the integration of the Roma and will endeavour to combat attempts to segregate Roma communities from the civil society. It will continue with measures it has pursued until now that are based on an adopted concept for integration of the Roma involving support for specific educational programmes, such as the enlargement of a network of assistants and study groups and support for Roma students. With regard to social welfare, it will continue to develop a programme of field social work in the community. The concept of Roma integration will be developed further to include other areas, such as access to gainful activities and housing. The measures currently being implemented will be supplemented with mechanisms to influence local government policies relating to Roma communities, which will enable the co-ordinated support of projects in the field of social policy and motivate local government to take an active approach and find constructive solutions. The Government will support the creation of community centres and social programmes relating to them that will enable solutions to be found for the housing and employment situation of Roma, while utilising the expertise of member countries of the European Union. A network of advisers with authorisation from state administration will be maintained at selected places and a network of regional Roma co-ordinators will be formed. The Government will give priority to prevention and to a diverse spectrum of social and cultural programmes intended not only for Roma but also for other ethnic groups within the population. The Government will act firmly and consistently against xenophobia, against cultural and social intolerance and against any manifestation of racism. It will demand that state bodies proceed unfailingly in retaliation against offenders of racially motivated criminal acts.
3.3. The judicial system and the prison system
The Government will complete the process of reform of the judicial system, including the establishment of the Supreme Administrative Court and specialised administrative tribunals at regional courts in order to reinforce legal certainties pertaining to citizens and legal entities and to provide them with more realistic powers for invoking their rights, claims and liberties within a more satisfactory time-scale. Regarding the systemic position of the judiciary, the Government will discuss with representatives of all parliamentary political parties, in connection with a finding by the Constitutional Court, the feasible versions of solutions that will receive sufficient support from the lawmaking body, as the means for resolving this will probably also require an amendment to the Constitution. The Government will examine in depth the workings of the commercial registers and, in response to its findings, implement measures to speed up the elimination of critical defects in the system, including any potential risk of corruption. The Government will draft legislation to speed up entries into the Commercial Register; already during its first stage, these administrative duties will not be performed by the courts and conditions for entry into the Commercial Register will be simplified.Concerning the criminal court system, a vital prerequisite for successfully continuing with reform is high-quality technical support for the courts. The Government will take all necessary steps for ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; it is at the same time aware of the fact that this will not be possible without an amendment to the Constitution concerning immunity from prosecution of persons performing constitutional offices and the ban on extradition of Czech citizens for criminal proceedings abroad. In order to achieve this objective, it is prepared to pursue open debate with all the parliamentary political parties. The Government will complete the legislative process that was commenced in the preceding term of office relating to special legal regulations on the liability of minors for unlawful acts and on the judicial system in cases involving minors. The Government intends to reinforce administrative support for the courts, including the introduction of the position of assistants to judges.
In order to ensure the safety of citizens from the perpetrators of crimes, the structure of prisons and prison personnel will be assessed and a system created for education, evaluation and performance-related career development. Due to the increase in serious organised crime and its penetration into our country from abroad, there will be internal shift in the composition of the prison population towards dangerous groups of violent perpetrators of serious criminal offences and organised crime, and the Government will therefore prepare the prison system for more effective methods of guarding them and controlling their behaviour.
3.4. Public prosecutors
The new tasks of public prosecutors, which primarily result from extensive changes to the rules of criminal procedure, must be supported by the accelerated installation of communications systems, information technologies and office equipment to ensure constant operational access to and exchange of information between all official bodies involved in criminal proceedings and other state authorities and institutions, in order that steps taken by public prosecutors are fast, effective and in conformity with the law. Attention will be concentrated on recruitment, education and further training with the aim of progressively attaining the required number of public prosecutors.
The Government will establish special units attached to public prosecutors departments to combat financial and economic crime, will deepen their internal specialisation, and will focus in the future also on effectively tackling organised crime, corruption, terrorism, sexual abuse of children (in particular when this is for commercial profit), trafficking in humans and all manifestations of extremism or intolerance against ethnicity or race. Public prosecutors departments will intensify efforts to comply with concluded treaties and develop other forms of international co-operation, as well as improving co-ordination of specific procedures with individual states to uncover and investigate dangerous forms of criminal activity that cross borders.
3.5. Public administration
The Government will complete reform of local public administration and will initiate modernisation of central state administration. The objective is to rationalise the activities of public administration, making it more effective and increasing its horizontal co-ordination through the wider use of modern technologies (electronic public administration) and by drawing on private sector management techniques that emphasise accomplishment of overall increases in quality of performance by public administration bodies, as a service provided to citizens. The Government will in addition focus on implementing the Civil Service Act and the Act on Officials of Local Government Bodies.
A further challenge regarding completion of the reform of local public administration will be optimisation of public administration performance at the local level and the creation of a favourable legal and economic environment for the development of small municipalities.
A nationwide development concept will be drawn up and implemented through creating partnerships between the central level of state administration, regional and local government bodies and the civil society.
Administrative duties will undergo revision in order to reduce the administrative load on citizens and to simplify administrative procedures. The Government will intensify scrutiny of the economic, welfare and environmental effects of important social decisions using the principles laid down by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and will take advantage of its active role of control in the system of management to act as a mechanism that provides feedback, primarily through systematically searching out risks, including those arising from corruption, that are connected with the performance of individual activities by state administration. Through the adoption of adequate measures, defects that are identified will be removed.
The Government will prepare a new Administrative Code to set across-the-board procedural standards for public administration and will complete the new concept for administrative disciplinary proceedings, which will enforce the effectiveness of disciplinary liabilities in public administration.
The Government will prepare and submit a draft amendment to the Construction Act, which will be effective in regulating the work of public administration in regional development matters, zoning and building permission procedures, and at the same time will considerably simplify construction-related administrative proceedings.
4. Economic policy
4.1. Economic policy
The Government’s economic policy will build on the successful results of the preceding term of office. Two primary strategic objectives have been set for the forthcoming years - the successful entry of the Czech economy into the European Union, and the acceleration of economic growth - as well as a large number of sectional objectives.
The Government sees three tasks as having the utmost priority during the time that remains until accession to the European Union: boosting the competitiveness of companies, contributing to the growth of the economy as a whole and management of the impact of globalisation.
We also believe that increasing the competitiveness of manufacturers is a fundamental precondition to maintain the current rate of economic growth even throughout the next term of office. In addition, ideal conditions to bring this country rapidly closer to the economies and business environments of the European Union currently exist due to the fact that the Czech economy is growing at a faster rate than those of EU member states. The Government will endeavour to maintain a stable macroeconomic environment in order to stimulate economic growth which will enable a reduction in the productivity gap with economically-developed countries and increase the nation’s standard of living.
Governmental economic policy will very sensitively reflect the nature of the current stage in the process of economic transformation and will above all strive to maintain macroeconomic equilibrium, improve conditions for business and increase the adaptability of the supply-side of the economy and the competitiveness of manufacturers in such a way that the economy as a whole will perform better and manage to adjust more accurately to changes in the global economy and trends in internal and external demand.
The Government will evaluate the process of implementation of the hitherto-adopted development concepts and will draw up updated versions that correspond to conditions inherent in the forthcoming stage of transformation of the economy. The focal point of industrial policy will be to improve the environment for investment and enterprise and to support SMEs and more decisive progress in the restructuring of large companies that have state participation. The Government will continue to support processes for revitalising companies, as it considers this to be an important tool for maintaining levels of employment and economic activity in particular regions. In this respect, it is keen to utilise the possibilities offered by the Czech Consolidation Agency to a far greater extent. The Government will also place greater emphasis on exercising and defending the ownership rights of the State.
Fiscal policy will be oriented towards supporting priorities of governmental economic policy that encourage growth and which will lead to overcoming the existing structural deficiencies in the economy of the Czech Republic, and particularly those relating to member states of the European Union, while maintaining a sustainable level of budget deficit in public finances.
The Government will continue to promote discussion with social welfare partners in order to preserve and strengthen social peace. It considers intensive co-operation with professional associations to be a vital part of efforts to increase the competitiveness of the economy, such as the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, Confederation of Employers’ and Entrepreneurs’ Associations, Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, Agrarian Chamber and further organisations.
Governmental economic policy will place greater emphasis on the rational use of the limited resources of the State Budget. The Government will therefore use resources allocated for development of the economy primarily to support development programmes in such a way that the effect achieved is more quickly reflected in the growth of the economy, thus also raising the quality of the standard of living of this country’s citizens. The Government will persistently demand that these resources are used as effectively as possible. It will evaluate the work of official institutions and agencies whose tasks focus on supporting investment, enterprise and export to assess the actual contribution they are making to accomplishing objectives of governmental economic policy.
The Government will make efforts to deepen co-operation with the Czech National Bank in order to ensure systematic co-ordination of fiscal and currency policies and that these policies mutually support and supplement each other. The Government will also work together with the Czech National Bank to prepare a concept for integration with the European Monetary Union.
The Government will take resolute steps to preserve honest conduct in the competitive environments of all markets and will adopt energetic measures in cases of evident violations of the rules of economic competition or the abuse of dominant position on a market, particularly when this affects consumers or SMEs.
4.2. Public finances
The Government considers the consolidation of public finances to be a necessary prerequisite to maintaining the sustainable economic growth required for accession to the European Union. The strategic objective of the Government is therefore to put public finances into a form that complies with the future membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union and which will subsequently meet criteria for integration with and participation in the European Monetary Union, including the introduction of the Euro.
The Government will initiate broad-based debate on the reform of public finances ensuring that the budget deficit will not exceed the range of 4.9 – 5.4 % of GDP in 2006 and that it exhibits a tendency to fall during the following years.
The reform of public finances will also be reflected in further fundamental programme documents submitted to the European Union, i.e. Pre-accession Economic Programme and eventually, on the accession of the Czech Republic into the European Union, in the convergence programmes.
The reform of public finances will be based primarily on the following principles: by the end of 2002, the Government will have prepared and approved a medium-term budgetary forecastfor the four-year period so that beginning from 2005 the budget deficit as a proportion of GDP will be reduced. The forecast will also set binding limits on expenditure for chapters of the State Budget, including state funds for individual ministries for the entire term of office of this Government. These limits will be adhered to during the preparation and implementation of concept documents relating to the developments of the individual ministries. The Government will in this way implement the much-needed principle of multi-annual budgetary programming as a binding procedure for the preparation of budgets. In order to achieve objectives intended to stabilise budgets in the long-term while preserving the quality of public services and maintaining social cohesion, emphasis will be placed on developing a programme-oriented structure for the individual chapters of the State Budget.
Taxation policy will constitute a significant part of the reform of public finances. The Government will not increase the overall tax burden for its entire four-year term of office and will stabilise the tax quota to the 2000 level, including the implementation of measures to safeguard against potential self-induced decline. The Government will immediately start preparing ecological tax reform that will be neutral in terms of fiscal policy.
The Government will reduce the corporate income tax rate and finalise harmonisation of the tax system in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. This will above all relate to indirect taxes. In respect of VAT this will concern reclassification of selected goods and services to make them subject to the basic rate, in line with the relevant European Community directive, as well as reduction of the level of turnover that attracts mandatory registration for tax purposes and augmentation of the system regulating internal trade between member states. The Government will propose new legislation on excise taxes, which will primarily include the introduction of a scheme of conditional exemption from tax.
In view of the need to make improvements to public finances, changes to taxes will be carried out in tandem with measures implemented on the expenditure side of public budgets; at the same time, the Government will put into effect a vital rationalisation of mandatory expenditure. When dealing with tax issues, the Government will base its thinking on the concept of “structured tax quotas” – tax that includes mandatory contributions for social security and health insurance. Deliberation on changes to rates of tax and on the effects on the tax burden to both legal entities and natural persons will therefore be evaluated in a comprehensive way, not only from the perspective of the fiscal or incentive functions of taxes, but also to create the sources of finance required to fund the expenditure-side of the social security and health insurance systems. Concerning support for families, the Government will propose amendments to the tax system that will benefit families with children.
As part of finalising the reform of public administration, the Government will complete the transfer of expenditure competences to regions and municipalities. The Government will propose amendments to current legislation in order that by 1 January 2004, at the latest, regions will be allocated increased shares of designated tax revenues from the budget in order for them to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by law in an economical and efficient manner. In view of the need to achieve stable demarcation of expenditure competences between the State, regions and municipalities, the Government will prepare a reform of real estate taxes and local charges aimed at strengthening the authority of local government in setting tax levels to take local conditions into account. At the same time, however, it will also be crucial to adopt legislative measures that will set conditions for regulating indebtedness of municipalities and regions, while respecting their budgetary autonomy.
The Government is aware of the fact that reform of public finances is a process that must above all respect the complexity and indivisible nature of public budgets. Accomplishment of this task will require development of the major functions of the state treasury, including the establishment of a continuous flow of information on the progress and results of financial management in all segments of public finances. The Government will scrutinise the use of the limited resources of the State Budget. It will insist on the economical application of budgetary resources and for this purpose adopt a number of measures directed towards, for example, creating a unified system of collective procurement for those goods and services which are essential to the functioning of state administration bodies, providing support to above all development programmes and for combining internal budgetary resources together with European Union funds.
The Government will make efforts to ensure that financial assets concentrated in the Czech Consolidation Agency appreciate with a maximum and all-embracing utilisation rate. Concerning the National Property Fund, the Government will ensure that its existence is terminated by an act of Parliament when it has fulfilled its role as the temporary privatisation agency of the State.
In order to make state supervision of the financial market more effective, the Government will prepare measures to remove duplicity in activities which are currently overlapping and which occur in every sector of the financial market in order that synergetic effects can be utilised as much as possible.
The Government also regards continuing with the modernisation of tax and customs administration as being one of its primary tasks. This mainly involves completion of the re-organisation of the tax and customs administration, in readiness for membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union. It will also focus on making them more oriented towards the needs of taxpayers. The aim is to increase effectiveness in the collection of taxes and customs duties and to reach the point at which the tax and customs administration will in all respects meet the standards current in member states of the European Union. Co-operation will be stepped up between tax and customs administration and authorities that collect mandatory contributions for social security and health insurance. Administration of excise taxes will be transferred from tax administration to customs administration.
The Government will be focused in combating tax and customs duty evasion and economic crime connected with this. In the sphere of retail sales, it will propose measures to restrict undeclared revenues and in this respect is considering, for example, the introduction of registering cash desks and registered receipts. In order to be more successful in combating serious criminal acts against property and serious tax-related offences, the Government will propose an appropriate form of Act on the Disclosure of Property and Proof of Origin of Income. The Government will also work to implement every possible measure against money laundering, including restrictions on payments in cash.
The Government will propose modifications to budgetary rules that support the targeted and economically effective use of public budget resources.
The Government will strive towards the greatest possible utilisation of all public sources of finance, including those from the European Union.The Government will stand firm in ensuring that negotiations concerning accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union will result in conditions that are as favourable as possible, enabling the fastest possible eradication of differences in economic levels between member states of the European Union and the Czech Republic, and the narrowing of gaps between individual regions of the Czech Republic.
4.3. Industrial policy
The Government’s industrial policy will be primarily directed towards creating an environment favourable for enterprise, supporting investment, completing the restructuring of industry and carrying out any further privatisation.
The Government will continue to support improvement of the competitiveness of domestic producers by creating conditions to strengthen their economic stability and raise specification and technological standards in their production processes and finished products. A significant part of support from public funding will be aimed at structural projects in the manufacturing sector which meet the requirements for co-financing by the structural funds of the European Union.
Through building on successful work executed in previous years, the Government will continue to develop the existing system of support for investment, placing greater emphasis on supporting production with higher added value, on the creation of research and development technology centres and strategic services centres, as well as ensuring the return of investment support provided. At the same time, it will focus on directing this investment more towards the production of products for final consumption and capital equipment, to encourage the further stabilisation of employment, to raise the level of qualifications of the labour force and to increase productivity concerning exports. The Government will attempt to a greater extent than previously to support the development of supply chains formed from Czech suppliers to serve major investors in the Czech Republic. In its support for the establishment of industrial zones, the Government will concentrate on areas of greater cross-regional importance, and above all on structurally-disadvantaged areas.
The Government will prepare improvements to the system of support for SMEs that will reflect the importance of this sector in the economies of countries in the European Union, strengthen their position in creating new jobs and improve their ability to develop economic activity in the regions. In this respect, the Government will encourage the work of the Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank and make efforts to improve the accessibility of banking sector sources of finance, primarily for SMEs.
Through consultation with professional circles and the general public, the Government will form an up-to-date, long-term strategy for energy. In connection with this, the next stage in the field of regulation of electric power generation and its privatisation will be drawn up. The Government will continue its implementation of the adopted Programme for Restructuring the Czech Steel Industry, which aims to create equal conditions for all iron and steel industry companies and utilise their strengths.
The Government will pay special attention to improving the system of consumer protection in compliance with European standards. A high-priority task in this area will be the protection of the internal Czech market from imports of unsafe products and from illegal imports, in addition to the protection of the economic interests of consumers.
An important priority of the Government is the support of industrial research and development and increasing quality standards. This support will concentrate on new products with higher added value and quality, the use of state-of-the-art technologies, building materials and advanced operational and technological processes.
4.4. External economic relations
The Government will strive towards negotiating better access to foreign markets for Czech products, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. It will concentrate on developing closer and more active links with the multilateral system of the World Trade Organisation, particularly within the context of multilateral trade negotiations on implementation of the WTO Development Programme. In justified cases it will also establish protection for particular sectors of domestic production by adopting extraordinary political and trading measures, under the conditions set by international trade regulations.
The Government will develop a new concept for support of Czech exports that will heighten the effectiveness of existing instruments of policy encouraging exports and co-ordinate the activities of all the relevant ministries and institutions. The Government will set its territorial foreign trade priorities in conformity with the internationally accepted rules of trade and build on the commercial activities of Czech Embassies and representative offices in foreign countries.
Governmental policy in the field of encouraging exports will also be based on the activities of the Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation and the Czech Export Bank, which work towards supporting exports not only from large industrial corporations, but increasingly also from SMEs. It will above all support increases in the exports of capital equipment through the provision of long-term loans with state subsidies on advantageous terms, in accordance with the principles laid down by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The Government will continue to support opportunities to advance the Czech defence industry, which are based on the Czech Republic’s membership in NATO. In this respect, it will pursue a policy of offsetting its procurement of military materials abroad with a focus on support for foreign direct investment, exports and the Czech economy.
4.5. Transport and communications
The Government will support further development of transport infrastructure using both public and private sources of finance and through European Union funds. It will focus on the modernisation of rail corridors and the construction of new sections of highways and motorways, particularly within the framework of the Trans-European Transport Network. It will support the reconstruction of the major railway junctions and development of transport logistics centres in the vicinity of areas of high commercial activity.
The Government will draw up a new transport policy based on the current needs of the State and past experience in the rest of Europe. It will make efforts to minimise the negative effects of transport on the environment and on the health of inhabitants. In order to achieve this, it will provide comprehensive support for public passenger and multi-modal freight transport. It will also take steps towards the development of inland waterway transportation. It will support the introduction of advanced technology, including intelligent transportation and logistics systems.
The Government will support programmes to increase the safety and reliability of transport in order to reduce the road traffic accident rate to levels customary in developed European countries.
The Government will complete transformation of Czech Rail and create conditions for the formation of a prosperous and competitive business entity. The Government will continue to support the social welfare programme that is essential to its further restructuring.
In conjunction with regional autonomous authorities, the Government will search for possibilities to use regional rail complexes effectively and will work with the regions to support the improvement of transport access and expansion of the systems providing integrated regional passenger transport.
The Government will work towards ensuring that Czech freight forwarders have an equal standing with their counterparts on the European freight market.
The Government will support the construction of a new terminal at the Prague - Ruzyně airport and will ensure that Czech international airports are prepared for implementation of the Schengen Agreement.
In order to improve transport access, the Government will take steps to provide better public services when fulfilling its road and rail transportation obligations. In co-operation with local government bodies, it will ensure that the scope and quality of citizens’ access to public transport is improved.
The Government will develop a new concept for the convergence of communications and information technologies in line with trends in developed countries throughout the globe, including implementation of the new European Community Directive on Electronic Telecommunications. It will draw up a draft amendment to the Telecommunications Act to permit greater accessibility of local lines to alternative operators and to create a suitable legal environment for terrestrial digital broadcasting.
The Government considers it to be absolutely vital to continue with the formation of an effective competitive environment for the telecommunications market using both legislative and non-legislative means.
Concerning postal services, the Government will make efforts to maintain quality and preserve accessibility to postal services at the local level.
4.6. Information society
The Government advocates the idea of support and development of the information society as an important tool for improving education, the economy and the services provided by public administration. The Government is aware of the fact that the public administration information system provides a fundamental way to reduce the cost of its work duties, manage and administer knowledge, and increase responsiveness in the relationship between citizen and State. The acquisition of computer literacy can become a means for re-qualification, developing new skills and achieving better quality of life, even for disadvantaged groups of citizens with fewer opportunities to succeed on the labour market. Information technologies will provide further ways to raise the level of employment in areas affected by high unemployment through support of distance work and learning. The Government will support the introduction of information technologies into public administration and the everyday life of the citizen. When working towards these objectives, the Government will base its actions on the principles and procedures laid down in the State Information Policy, which it will update regularly, and on documents of the European Union, in particular those contained in the “e-Europe” initiative.
The Government understands the issue of support for and introduction of information technologies into public administration as being a fundamental, inter-ministerial task. The Government will propose to join the current Office for Public Information Systems with the relevant communications section of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and for this purpose will without delay submit to the Chamber of Deputies a draft amendment to the Competences Act. The Government will base construction of public administration information systems on programme financing and management of information systems development. The aim of the Government is to form conditions for the progressive interconnection of the majority of official registers through a reference interface where access and changes to data will be permitted on the basis of specified rules and responsibilities. The Government also considers it to be essential to define the legal framework of the information society more closely, particularly regarding the telecommunications market, access to information, protection of personal data and the use of electronic documents and identifying software in both public administration and business transactions.
The Government will continue to meet the objectives set by the State Information Policy in the field of education. It will support the free and equal access of citizens to information and the nationwide equipping of public libraries with information and communications technologies and the establishment of contact points for the public administration information system. The aim of the Government is to prevent the formation of new social barriers and it is therefore considering the use of tools which will help to allow greater access to information technologies and connection to the Internet.
4.7. Agriculture and rural development
The Government will stabilise and optimise the scale and economic significance of agriculture so that rural areas will not only have productive functions, but also environmental and social ones. Structural changes in rural areas will soften the negative effects of the decline in agricultural production on employment and rural population densities. Through the “Programme for Rural Renewal”, it will contribute to the co-ordinated development of rural areas and of special regional and local features.
Through this system of support, the Government will enable Czech agricultural producers to compete in Europe on terms that are fair and just. In the system of pre-accession procedures, the Government will make a stand for equal status for Czech agriculture in the European Union and will defend the production quotas for individual commodities proposed in the position document. It will also strive for a just approach to be adopted in the award of direct payments and allocation of sources of finance for rural development.
In compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, the Government will support:
- the strengthening of competitiveness, particularly in areas of production;
- the non-production and environmental functions of agriculture with an emphasis on marginal areas;
- ecological agriculture as a new method of exploitation of the countryside;
- the food and processing industries, with the aim of ensuring the maximum level of safety of produce for consumers;
- agricultural exports.
The Government will continue to support primary agricultural producers in their joining together to form sales co-operatives and organisations that can help them acquire an equal footing on markets.
The Government will complete the processes of restitution and transformation in agriculture, will renew and progressively stabilise ties of ownership in this sector and will accelerate implementation of land development and the process of selling state land. The transfer of agricultural land to farming Czech entities will be carried out under acceptable conditions with possibilities for granting long-term loans and using agricultural land as collateral. In order to achieve these objectives, it will establish a “Land Bank” or similar institution to support the creation of a market for plots of land.
The Government will make efforts to preserve multifunctional agriculture across the entire area of agricultural land in conjunction with substantial support for protection of the countryside, the quality of the environment and ecologically-sustainable production.
The Government will continue with its water management policy, which is aimed at increasing the quality of surface and ground water and encouraging its practical use, while safeguarding systems of protection against floods and water erosion, which involves the support of further development of water management infrastructure.
Forests are national treasures; the Government will direct forest management towards the continuous improvement of its production-based and other functions and to advancing the state of health of the forests.
5. Regional development and housing
5.1. Regional development
While ensuring the balanced implementation of territorial development of the state as a whole, the Government will update the current identification of particular regions receiving supplementary state support and draw up a State Programme for Regional Development for the structurally-affected Moravian-Silesian and North West regions, as well as for other economically weak and structurally-affected areas of the Czech Republic, including potentially even further areas where state support would be beneficial.
The aim of regional programmes will be above all to reduce high levels of unemployment, support the restructuring of industry, provide support for SMEs at levels proportionate to regional need, remove past ecological burdens and kick-start new economic activities in these regions. Support for the creation of new job opportunities in production and services will be increased, as will assistance for building business infrastructure in the economically weak and structurally-affected regions. Attention will continue to be paid to former military installations.
The Government counts with the progressive allocation of CZK 20 billion from the proceeds of privatisation during the next five years to revitalise the Moravian-Silesian region.
Implementation of the Programme for Rural Renewal will support the co-ordinated development of rural areas and of special regional and local features. In addition, it will be essential to assist regions, municipalities, municipality associations, groups of local residents and business people to prepare for the use of the structural funds and initiatives of the European Community and the Cohesion Fund in view of the future full membership status of the Czech Republic in the European Union. For this reason, one of the main priorities will be to secure involvement from the pre-accession funds of the European Union (Phare, ISPA and SAPARD), as well as to provide means for co-financing.
5.2. Housing
The Government will devote its attention to all aspects of housing, concerning which the fundamental objective of housing policy will be to create an environment where every household can find and retain financially accessible housing of adequate quality.
Taking into account considerations arising from the need for social welfare sustainability and the economic conditions of society, the Government will prepare and submit a draft Act on Flat Rent, which will stipulate regulatory rules for customary rents in local areas and rules for payment of services connected with housing. The Government will submit bills intended to reduce the number of unutilised flats. It will draw up new legislation for subsidies for housing that ensures appropriate levels of protection for citizens in all forms of housing.
The Government will create conditions for the construction of rented accommodation for low-income groups through a new programme that will be effective in targeting those sections of the population in the greatest social need. Part of this long-term and effectively-supported process for the construction of rented flats will also be the provision of flats to all persons disadvantaged in their access to housing not only due to income, but because of restricted physical abilities of movement or orientation, persons with limited independence or persons requiring care due to their disadvantaged social position.
The Government will draw up legislation providing tax relief to first-time homebuyers aimed at broadening the accessibility of home ownership for, above all, young households. Direct and economically effective subsidies for mortgages and building society schemes will continue to be one of the methods used to support home ownership.
The Government will prepare a revision to the legal and economic standing of the State Fund for Housing Development with modern and effective credit instruments and will provide for replenishment of its funds using loans already paid back. One of the new means for supporting the construction of rented flats will be the development of a programme bringing about the entry of private investment into this area.
The Government will prepare draft amendments to legislation that regulates the rights and obligations of the individual parties in tenancy relations and ensures the protection of those rights with regard to their equitable and enforceable nature. The Government will propose the broadening of legislative grounds encouraging the construction of rented flats by not-for-profit legal entities and associations.
The Government will support the construction of infrastructure for building flats and housing in rural areas with a programme that respects the ecological sustainability of the construction of new flats. The Government will include in the system of support the aspect of energy-saving features of new construction and will increase the motivation to achieve savings in energy use in the existing housing stock. It will at the same time continue with improvements to the current state of the housing stock.
The Government anticipates leaving the rate of VAT on building work on residential housing at its current low level and expects that this rate will even be extended for the transition period following the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union.
5.3. Tourism
5.4. The environment
The fundamental aim of the Government concerning protection of the environment is to improve the quality of life of citizens, to ensure the efficient use of natural resources and sources of energy, to preserve and restore ecological stability and biodiversity, to employ decision-making processes that respect nature and the countryside and to accept our part of global responsibility for the state of the environment of our planet. The Government will implement its policy for sustainable development as an integral whole.
Ecological policy must always receive the support and participation of citizens. The Government will propose the ratification of the Aarhus Convention on public participation in decision-making in environmental matters. It will construct an electronic information system on the environment which can be easily accessed by each citizen. The Government will create conditions to increase the participation of non-governmental not-for-profit organisations in the practical care of protected areas and land of special natural importance. There will be an increase in the amount of information marked on foodstuffs packaging to include data that has not been given until now, such as the use of pesticides and the method of rearing or cultivation.
Concerning the protection of nature, the Government will prepare an amendment to the Act on the Protection of Nature and the Countryside, including requirements from the European association of protected area networks, NATURA 2000, and will ensure sufficient allocation of funds to be distributed to owners caring for plots of land affected. For protected areas of national importance and for the NATURA 2000 association, it will perform integrated and on-site special state administration in the protection of nature and the countryside. The Government will propose legislation on national parks that excludes any possibility of reductions to their size. This legislation will not permit the transfer of protected countryside areas or the administration of national parks to regional bodies. The Government will further implement and update the current State Programme for the Protection of Nature and the Countryside. It will augment the system of protected areas, in particular with the addition of the Protected Countryside Areas of Novohradské hory, Český les and Střední Poohří. The Government will not permit the transfer of forests in the administration of the state corporation Forests of the Czech Republic to the ownership of the regions and will retain ownership of forests that are the property of the State.
The Government will make its policy on grants for the protection of the environment more transparent and will support the development of promising ecological technologies. It will prepare its new “Strategies for the Protection of Earth’s Climatic System in the Czech Republic” which will aim to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases further. The Government will submit a bill for the generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy.
The Government will present an amendment to the Act on the National Property Fund which will authorise the transfer of CZK 15 billion to the State Environment Fund where these resources will be used to revitalise areas affected by the extraction of lignite in the Ústí nad Labem and Karlovy Vary regions. The Government will make far-ranging demands of public administration bodies and state institutions regarding implementation of the programme for environmental education, training and information and will set a definite time schedule for its implementation.
6. Social cohesion
6.1. Welfare policy
The Government sees welfare policy as being above all a long-term social investment into people and also, therefore, into the welfare and economic development of society. Through its use, the Government intends to guarantee fundamental human and civil rights and encourage greater activity from both citizens and institutions.
The most important task for the Government will be to complete establishment of a welfare system in the Czech Republic that respects jointly agreed objectives and methods for modernising systems of social welfare protection in member states of the European Union. The key elements of the pro-European welfare policy of the Government will be the battle against unemployment, poverty and segregation, a sound policy for revenue creation and the attainment of European standards in the fields of labour-law protection for employees and health and safety at work.
6.1.1. Social dialogue and collective bargaining
The Government considers the development of social dialogue to be an important instrument for the preservation of social peace and the implementation of democratic principles on the labour market. The Government therefore supports the further development of institutions, structures and procedures which contribute to furthering social dialogue, in particular the Council for Economic and Social Consensus, and collective bargaining at international, national, sectoral, regional and corporate levels. It will support the deepening and advancement of social dialogue and collective bargaining in the sector of public administration and public services and will encourage the use of higher-level collective agreements.
The Government will push for greater active participation by the Czech Republic in the activities of the International Labour Organisation; it will make efforts to create conditions for the ratification of and, in this regard, propose the ratification of certain conventions of the International Labour Organisation. It will also submit for ratification the Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter Providing for a System of Collective Complaints, and the revised European Social Charter of 1996.
The Government will not support the restriction of trade union rights in legal regulations. It will insist that these rights are not violated, particularly at the corporate level, and will make efforts to ensure their greater enforceability and operability through, amongst other ways, collective agreements, work inspectors and the courts. It will make special provision in this respect, including tax relief and other advantages for the work of representatives of employees and employers, and for their delegates, in the bodies of public law and not-for-profit organisations newly forming in the sphere of social welfare.
6.1.2. Employment, labour-law relations and safety and protection of health at work
A strategic objective of the Government is to reach the level of fully effective employment. A foremost aim of the active employment policy of the Government will above all be the most intensive reduction of employment possible, especially concentrating on the regions of North, Central and South Moravia and North West Bohemia. The Government will support projects whose implementation will result in the substantial creation of new jobs, particularly in regions that are under threat, and encourage the further development of SMEs. It will act to ensure that people are motivated to look for and stay in work.
In order to realise these objectives, the Government will submit a bill on employment containing inter alia instruments of this policy that approach the systems used in member states of the European Union. The Government will each year update the National Employment Action Plan.
The Government will support the employment of persons who are experiencing difficulties in achieving success on the labour market and will insist on gender equality at the workplace. The Government will prepare a draft of a new Labour Code, which will provide a general legislative framework for labour-law relations, preserve labour-law protection governing individual forms of work that has already been achieved and extend this protection to less customary kinds of work and the work of self-employed persons in dependent employ; it will broaden opportunities for contractual negotiations on collective agreements, including those relating to public services or employment contracts that exceed the limits of the legislative framework but retain, however, the statutory level of protection for employees.
The Government will make efforts to ensure the more effective and faster enforceability and operability of labour-law rights, including those arising from obligations in collective agreements. For this purpose, it will draw up a bill on work inspection which will form the basis of a new system of independent state supervision that will be more comprehensive and more effective in controlling adherence to labour-law regulations. It will prepare a proposal for a new public law system of injury insurance which will be financed in an ongoing manner and provide substantial motivation to both employees and employers to ensure the creation of conditions for safe work. It will also submit a bill on services in health and safety at work, which will above all regulate the provision of work medical services, as specified by the relevant convention of the International Labour Organisation.
6.1.3. Income and remuneration policy
A fundamental priority for income policy is to reach a point at which all sections of the community contribute to economic growth in a more uniform and socially just manner. The Government will use its economic policy as a basis for conditions that create growth in work productivity and the real value of wages in order that there can be progressive reductions in the differences between levels of income in the Czech Republic and the European Union. It will systematically devote its attention to relative differences in earnings between the non-commercial and the commercial spheres in order to progressively improve the situation of employees in the non-commercial sphere. The Government will lay down conditions for the introduction of a sixteen-grade system of wage tariffs. Following agreement with its social welfare partners, it will ensure the adoption of a mechanism for wage negotiation in public administration and public services.
The Government will make efforts to reinforce the motivational function of the minimum wage in order that its relative relationship to the average wage and the minimum standard of living for individuals is brought significantly closer to those relative relationships that have been achieved in the member states of the European Union.
An integral part of governmental income policy will be to create and enforce rights ensuring that the same wages are paid for work of the same value. The Government will act resolutely against any form of discrimination in remuneration and, in particular, against unjustifiable differences in wages between women and men and between foreign and domestic workers.
6.1.4. Social security
The Government considers reliably functioning and solidary social security system as key factor in the healthy development of society and as the foundation of each citizen’s civil certainties. It will therefore work towards the adoption of consensual reform measures in individual areas which will be intended to ensure the long-term functioning of these systems while maintaining levels which are adequate for the international obligations of the Czech Republic and also while providing for the financial stability and sustainability of these individual systems of social security.
The Government will in the first place devote its attention to the modernisation of the pensions system which, alongside alterations in the area of social security benefits, will ensure that essential improvements are made for people with social security insurance. The Government will prepare legislation for the next stage in the reform of pensions insurance, which will be based on separating pensions and sickness insurance funds from the State Budget and entrusting them to be administered by a public law social insurance company, which will be managed with the participation of insured persons and employers and which will be created through the transformation of the Czech Social Security Administration. Part of the proceeds from privatisation of the property of the Czech Republic will be used to create reserve funds for this social insurance company.
The basis for this system will continue to be the general, unified, ongoing financing of pensions insurance guaranteed by the State, to which changes will be made to ensure its long-term stability and increase the dependence of pension payments on insurance contributions paid in; self-employed persons will make a greater contribution than previously to the financial equilibrium of this system. The Government will ensure the growth in real terms of pension amounts paid out.
The Government will encourage the development of private capital forms of voluntary supplementary insurance in order for this to become a fully functioning part of the pensions system; at the same time it will ensure the separation of contributors’ assets from the assets of companies administering these funds. The Government will submit a bill for the introduction of supplementary pension insurance for employees with the participation of representatives of employers and employees in its administration, organised in a not-for-profit manner, and will revise the rules for the provision of employers’ contributions in favour of various forms of supplementary pension systems.
The Government will prepare a new Act on Sickness Insurance, which amongst other matters will contain mechanisms preventing the abuse of this system.
As part of its efforts to combat the poverty and segregation of certain groups of citizens, it will prepare a new system of social welfare aid, which will provide social care that is of a high-quality and adapted to the needs of individuals; it will also carry out expert evaluation of the level and quality of the minimum standard of living. In co-operation with local government authorities, social welfare partners and other organisations of the civil society, it will create a National Action Plan to Combat Poverty and Segregation. The Government will create conditions to reinforce the effectiveness of the network of social services according to trends in requirements for care and for the just and fair involvement of the not-for-profit sector in social services. The Government will propose a coherent system for the rehabilitation of persons with physical disabilities.
6.2. Family policy
The Government will prepare a concept for family policy and its implementation through a “National Programme for Support of Families with Children” developed from broad-based professional and public debate. It will support the increased ability to combine professional and family obligations in order that parents do not lose contact with their professional occupations during parental leave, while at the same time being able to devote themselves to bringing up their children.
The Government considers it to be of the utmost importance to work towards overcoming the critical condition of the demographic trends in the population which threaten the future of our society. The Government has a very pressing task in adopting measures that create conditions for the better functioning and stability of families and marriages, as well as measures that support families with children.
Within the scope of budgetary funds available, the Government will develop a balanced system of support for families with children. The Government will propose a child benefit system as a form of contribution to society for the maintenance and upbringing of children to which all children should be entitled without exception and under which all would receive the same amount, differentiated only according to the age of the child provided that this system will include one-off contributions for education that increase according to the level of school education achieved. Parent benefit should, in the opinion of the Government, represent at least one third of the average income of employed persons between the ages of 25 and 35, while at the same time the possibility of pursuing part-time work should be encouraged for the period these contributions are drawn.
The Government counts with providing subsidies to safeguard the long-term needs of families with children in the various phases of their life, such as loans for newly married couples, family savings schemes and trust funds, and will propose amendments to the tax system to benefit families with children, such as taxing married couples jointly and the option of choosing between child benefit and tax deductions for children. The Government will also prepare a bill on banning child labour and the protection of children at work, for those exceptional cases where work by children will be permitted.
6.3. Education
The Government considers the area of education to be of foremost importance and will make efforts to raise the quality of education, in order that the Czech Republic can be proud of its achievement in this field in international comparisons. The Government approves of the concept documents on education adopted by the Government during the preceding term of office and considers them to be its starting point for the implementation of education policy.
The Government will complete its reform of education with the aim of providing an accessible and coherent educational system oriented towards life-long learning. The modernisation of education will be directed more strongly towards the development of key skills and abilities, to improving computer and civil literacy and to encouraging the study of foreign languages. The Government will therefore prepare an Act on Education. The foundation of changes to the structure and subject matter of the education system will include the following elements: the principle of life-long learning, framework study programmes for individual levels and spheres of education, and the reform of secondary school leaving, which will include the state-introduced elements of school leaving, school-leaving examinations and the much-needed encouragement of diversified forms of tertiary education and adult education.
The Government also undertakes to broaden substantially study opportunities in tertiary education. The Government sees increasing the number of study places in degree study programmes as being a key factor, as well as ensuring that those programmes provide a guaranteed option to continue further with studies. The diversity of programmes and forms of provision of tertiary education should not, however, be allowed to endanger the gradation and compatibility of the whole system, nor the standing of publicly-funded further education, and universities in particular.
The Government undertakes to uphold the principle of free and publicly available primary, secondary and further education. Concerning the actual exercise of rights to education, the Government will in particular:
- with regard to the limitations of local availability and sufficient funding, support with greater vigour the attendance of the largest possible number of children in pre-school education, particularly during the final year of nursery school;
- create optimum conditions for the inclusion of physically and socially disadvantaged or disabled schoolchildren in educational programmes at primary and secondary schools;
- broaden access to further education for children from less advantaged social environments;
- create comparable educational conditions between the second level of primary schools and the lower years of grammar schools that run over several years;
- ensure equal opportunities for the education of members of individual ethnic groups;
- support education in art and language schools as an integral and fundamental part of the educational system.
The Government undertakes to raise the salaries of teaching staff to a level that is comparable in relative terms with the countries of the European Union and, at the same time, to create a system for career growth which is dependent not only on the number of years in the profession, but which also emphasises the significance of teachers’ additional qualifications. The Government will therefore create a mechanism which improves the working conditions of teachers and other employees in the field of education. The Government will not permit any reduction to current qualifications requirements for teachers at primary and secondary schools.
The Government will, in its work in education, use as a basis the principle of shared responsibility between central authorities, regions, municipalities and individual schools, as through a shift in competences the Government will take on responsibility for conceptual, control and methodological areas and safeguard the integrity and high quality of the Czech educational system.
The Government will make efforts to increase the share of the Education Chapter within total State Budget expenditure. An important financing principle will be the provision of innovation and development programmes. The specific aims of these programmes will reflect not only the needs and objectives of central and regional structures, but also primarily those of autonomous educational institutes, social welfare partners and further relevant organisations. The Government will create conditions which increase the opportunity to use the funds of the European Union for the development of education.
The Government undertakes to preserve comparable statuses between educational establishments founded in different ways and to reinforce forms of multi-source funding for schools and educational facilities.
The Government will complete the project for State Information Policy on Education.
6.4. Youth and sport
The Government will press for individual problems concerning children and youth to be solved through deeper inter-ministerial co-operation. In areas that are particularly needful of this co-operation, greater emphasis will be placed on the support of all forms of alternative care for children which will enable them to grow up in environments most similar to their family ones. The prevention of sociopathological phenomena will also be concentrated on, and drug addiction amongst adolescents in particular.
Concerning work with children and adolescents, the Government will focus on improving the current legal framework, in particular regarding implementation of the State’s function in vouching for and certification of persons for work with children and adolescents and for the support of organisations that run hobby activities for children and adolescents in their free time.
The Government will support the development and social accessibility of a broad spectrum of forms of sporting activity. It will not give up on its responsibility to support state sporting representation and the preparation of new sports talent.
6.5. Research and development
The Government will create conditions underpinning the development of the knowledge society in which research and development will have clear pioneering roles alongside education. Part of these efforts will be to create room for the growth of investment into this system as a whole, as well as the optimisation of its method of management, allowing the functional integration of its component parts.
The Government will above all reinforce the development of science and research at universities and other educational establishments and support the coming together of non-university facilities with research and development in further education establishments, in particular concerning basic research.
It will support basic and applied research by increasing the share of public finances designated for this purpose. At the same time, it will create incentives for investment into research and development from non-state sources and from foreign investors.
It will also increase the effectiveness of allocated resources by ensuring that a larger share of expenditure is on advanced technologies. In this respect, it will stimulate the acceleration of transfer of the results of basic and applied research to industrial research and development. Part of governmental policy will also be to emphasise the regular and objective evaluation of results of research and development. The level of financial support provided by the Government will be based on these regular and objective assessment results.
The Government will continue to support the development of international co-operation in research and development, particularly within the context of the European Union, and to make efforts to achieve broader and more active involvement in the development of the European research sector.
These objectives and aims will be specified in greater detail in the new “National Policy for Research and Development”, which the Government will prepare in co-operation with organisations and staff involved in research and development, further education establishments and representatives of users of the results of research and development.
6.6. Health care
The Government will pursue a modern democratic health care policy. This will be based on principles of equity, technical and medical effectiveness, long-term financial stability, solidarity between young and old, solidarity between the healthy and those that are ill or physically disabled, and high professional standards coupled with control by the public.
The Government sees its concept for the protection and support of the nation’s health as an array of activities and measures that create and protect health-promoting conditions for living and working and which prevent the spread of infection or illness, work-related disorders and other impediments to good health, and which includes the supervision of their implementation. It emphasises prevention as a fundamental aspect of medical care and as the least costly means to avoid illness or harm to health.
Health is not exclusively a matter for medical science, but is an area that touches our humanity in the broadest way. The Government is aware of the social, economic and ecological factors that influence health and is conscious of the need for greater integration of basic requirements for the protection of public health in decision-making processes in other sectors, including decision-making at the community level. The Government is progressively putting into practice the Health 21 programme, particularly in the field of preventive programmes, early diagnoses, rehabilitation and the return of citizens to the community.
The Government will submit proposals for amendments to legislation developed from broad-based debate, as well as those necessary to implement fully the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine and its additional protocols. The Government will create conditions for the dignified handling of patients, ensuring that they are better informed about methods of effective treatment and supported in their free choice concerning the care for their health. An effective process of diagnosis and treatment will be available to all patients in accordance with the principles of equity and need. At the same time, mechanisms optimising visits made by patients when looking for medical care will be developed that emphasise the rights and obligations of both patients and doctors.
Special attention will be paid to ensuring that medical care is accessible to citizens with health disabilities and that this care is provided to the correct level. The Government will create conditions not only to protect their health, but also for them to live in their homes. In conjunction with the regions, the Government will support the restructuring of current bed capacities for the needs of the demographically-ageing population. It will increase the levels of nursing and other forms of long-term care, including rehabilitation and care in the home, as well as integrated health and social services. Hospitalisation will be paid for from public health insurance, while ensuring that appropriate health care is equally available to all.
The Government will propose legislation defining the terms on which health care facilities will function and their duties under public law.
The Government will carry out the purposeful organisation of health care services while strengthening the role of regions and municipalities on the basis of subsidiarity. Concerning infrastructure construction, the Government will make efforts to improve programme-based financing for networks providing highly specialised care, which will continue to remain the responsibility of the State. Through consensus across a broad cross-section of professional circles, standardising processes will be developed for individual types and forms of health care, including regulation of payments from health insurance bodies that follows developments in medicine and ensures that no reduction occurs in the current scope of medical care available for services which are paid for through the health insurance system. Concerning medicines and medical equipment, technical standards will be harmonised to be in line with the European Union. Using regulatory processes, from price-setting to control of consumption, the Government will ensure the accessibility of high-quality, safe and effective medicines and medical equipment for all those who need them. It will make efforts to stabilise prices for medicines and to set uniform levels of payment for them that change only once each year.
An independent fund for the development of modern medicine will be created to ensure equality of access to particularly expensive medical care, which will be funded from several sources.
The Government will continue to insist on the overall balancing of public health insurance accounts while at the same time ensuring that it does not increase contributions made by citizens for their health care paid to the public health insurance system, nor that it will support any increase in the percentage rate for mandatory health insurance paid by employees and employers. The Government supports measures ensuring the full redistribution of collected insurance contributions to the health insurance system.
6.7. Culture
The Government will continue with the progressive implementation of its cultural policy objectives, adopted through broad-based consensus between representatives of civil initiatives, local government and cultural institutions. For this reason, it intends to allocate funds each year for the support of culture, including the cultural activities of ethnic minorities, at levels which are customary in the countries of the European Union. The Government’s aim is the ongoing sustainable encouragement of the undiluted cultural wealth of the nation and its preservation for the future. The Government also intends to continue with increases in the level of care provided by the State for the nation’s cultural heritage. For this reason, in addition to securing sources of funding, it will put forward a new Heritage Act specifying the rights and obligations of owners of cultural monuments and the competences of municipalities, regions and the State within the structure of a system of care for monuments. The Government will also propose measures concerning the sale, export and import of antiques intended to restrict the unbridled selling off of the nation’s cultural heritage in foreign countries.
The Government will prepare legislation to support culture by establishing multi-source and long-term funding of cultural projects and will create a model for public institutions in the cultural sphere. The Government will put forward legislation supporting Czech cinematography based on analogous regulations in member states of the European Union. The aim of the Government is the independence of the media from political parties and state authorities. At the same time, however, the Government requires that information which is made public be impartial and that responsibility is taken for its accuracy, which the Government considers to be an important guarantee of its objectivity. Therefore, it will evaluate the current position of electronic means of communication, including the opinions expressed through them, with emphasis on the requirements of broadcasting impartial, all-inclusive and balanced material. On this basis, it will adopt measures necessary to the successful integration of the Czech Republic into the European Union, including a draft amendment to the Acts on Public Service Broadcasting. The Government will also apply this approach to the Council of the Czech Republic for Radio and Television Broadcasting. Concerning the public service nature of Czech Radio, both channels of Czech Television and the Czech Press Office, the Government does not plan any changes. The Government will pursue the use of all lawful means enabling the collection of the mandatory radio and television licence fee and will give consideration to the way in which it is index-linked.
The Government considers church denominations and other religious communities as being important elements of civil society. It is therefore firm in its intention to continue with the current gratuitous transfers of state property which was used and which still can be used for the ritual, social or other similar activities of such church denominations or religious communities. The Government will resolve the current situation concerning ties of ownership between the State and church denominations and religious communities and concerning funding for their religious activities from sources other than the State Budget. State support for social welfare, health, education and other socially-beneficial activities by church denominations and religious communities will be maintained.
7. Defence and internal security
7.1. Defence
The Government will strengthen the security and defence capabilities of the Czech Republic as a system of mutually complementing and interdependent measures protecting human lives and the strategic interests of the Czech Republic and in particular safeguarding the security of each inhabitant against an array of potential threats of both military and non-military forms. The Government will safeguard the security and defence of the Czech Republic and improve its defence capabilities as a response to new challenges to its security.
In conformity with its foreign and security policies, the Government will utilise the membership of the Czech Republic in international organisations, in particular NATO, the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and its work towards accession to the European Union, in order that the extent of any threat to the Czech Republic is minimised. The Government will complete the process of military integration into NATO and will create conditions for its integration into the security and defence structures of the European Union.
The Government will support processes that reinforce the system of collective defence and security under the conditions of the 21st century. Within this context, the Government considers it to be historic and unique that the forthcoming NATO summit will be held in Prague.
The priorities of this system of collective defence within the framework of a functioning and effective Alliance allow the Government to build up defensive capabilities in such a way that the Czech Republic can be an active contributor to the system and at the same time pursue the development of its individual national capabilities on the basis of the principle of reasonable adequacy. For this reason, the Government will continue to support and create conditions for the active participation of the armed forces of the Czech Republic in anti-terrorist operations, peace-keeping operations and humanitarian missions. At the same time, it will develop the armed forces as a system that internally balances, on one side, the resources that the Czech Republic is able to allocate for the needs of defence with, on the other, the capabilities of its armed forces.
The Government considers fundamental reform, whereby serving in the armed forces would be on a professional basis, as an essential step forward in the progressive creation of an effective system of defence and security for the State. These post-reform armed forces of the Czech Republic will be smaller in number, more modern and stronger than the current armed forces. Through their mobility, interoperability, ease of deployment and form of support, they will be useful both within and outside the Czech Republic. In both thinking and conduct, these will be agile forces capable not only of forming a response, but also of proactively affecting the course of a security situation, even during participation in international taskforces.
The Government will create conditions for the Army of the Czech Republic to reach an initial level of operational capability by the end of 2006 enabling it to carry out tasks arising from the political and military aspirations of the Czech Republic. By this same date, it will have brought national service to an end. The fully professional Army will have between 34,000 and 36,000 professional soldiers and up to 10,000 civilian staff. The Government will reduce the number of garrisons to a total number of approximately 50. The Army of the Czech Republic will reach full operational capability in approximately 2010, depending on the availability of allocated funds.
The Government considers it to be of the utmost importance for the post-reform armed forces of the Czech Republic to have at all times an internal sense of balance so that it can form both ground and air-borne units with quality support and backup, as well as units providing assistance at a regional level for coping with any crisis situations. The Government will complete the process of procuring multipurpose supersonic aircraft so that the airspace of the Czech Republic can be constantly guarded by these national means and also so that military threats to the system of collective defence can be responded to using capabilities provided by the Czech Republic.
During the development of the armed forces, the Government will support co-operation with the defence industry and with other commercial sectors in the Czech Republic. It will also work towards the specialisation of the armed forces within the Alliance in areas where the Czech Republic has proven ability as well as the necessary human, research and economic resources. This mainly concerns capabilities concerning protection against chemical, biological and radiological weapons and passive monitoring systems.
A major priority will always be to provide all-encompassing support for the people themselves, whether this concerns a professional soldier or civilian employee, or a veteran or pensioner following completion of active military service. The Government will establish these professional armed forces as an integral part of society. The Government will work together with the regions in trying to alleviate any negative effects from the streamlining of surplus hierarchies in the Army and in creating conditions for mutually beneficial relations between the armed forces and local inhabitants. The Government will use all the possibilities available to it, to their maximum extent, to create social welfare programmes. It will inform the public of planned changes openly and with sufficient notice and will actively co-operate with social welfare partners.
One of the Government’s priorities will be the increased, professional implementation of civilian management and control techniques within the Army when carrying out reform of the armed forces. For the Government, this also represents an expression of the responsibility assumed through allocation of funding provided and the creation of essential, and in particular legislative, preconditions for the reform and future professional model for the armed forces.
7.2. Internal security
The Government considers the security of citizens and the protection of their rights, lives, health and property as being a foremost priority of the same nature as the protection of the interests of society as a whole.
The Government wishes to advance organisation of the Police as a unified security force directed by a Police President with clear territorial responsibilities for police officers and which is augmented through the necessary existence of specialised nationwide units.
The Government will ensure that the Police meet the requirements made of them as a modern European security force and that, amongst their ranks, they manage to deal effectively with any manifestations of corruption, xenophobia or unprofessional behaviour. The role of the Police as a public services body will continue to be emphasised. In order to accelerate the stabilisation of personnel in the Police, the Government is in favour of adoption of an Act on Service by Members of Security Forces. The Government will support intensive communication between security units and the public.
The Government will support the improvement of international co-operation between police forces and the involvement of the Police of the Czech Republic in multilateral international police activities.
The attention of the Government will focus on combating serious economic crime and corruption. Legislative conditions will be laid down for the prevention of corruption in state administration, while at the same time the greatest emphasis will be placed on unmoving resistance to corruption in criminal law enforcement authorities and in units controlling state administration. The further development of internal filtering mechanisms within security forces must be supported by new legislation on the service relations of members of security forces to lay down clear and positive material incentives for them.
A part of the efforts of the Government to combat organised crime will be an active response against increasing crime in the field of information technology, and against environmental crime. The “traditional forms” of organised crime will of course remain priorities, such as financial crime, organised prostitution, trafficking in women, illegal arms dealing and assisting illegal migration.
Within the context of this struggle against the most serious forms of organised crime, the Government considers it to be essential to arm itself with certain new legal institutions, which have already proved themselves elsewhere in the world and can assist in the suppression of this form of crime. It has in mind, for example, institutions that motivate members of organised crime groups to leave the criminal underworld and to co-operate actively with state authorities in uncovering punishable crimes, known as the institution of the crown witness.
With regard for the current urgency of the problem of international terrorism and as part of the array of anti-terrorist measures, the Government is in favour of modifying the system for combating money laundering so that it is also effective in preventing financial terrorism from activities affecting the Czech Republic.
The competent state authorities will continue in their uncompromising approach against all forms of extremism. To this purpose, the Government will create a system of co-ordinated co-operation between the Police, state control institutions and municipalities.
Through its anti-drug policy, the Government will work towards both reducing the quantity of drugs on offer, in particular through apprehending and suppressing organised crime gangs and street crime offenders involved in the use of drugs, and towards reducing the demand for drugs through preventive activities against drugs use by, in particular, children and adolescents.
The Government will adopt principles for the immigration policy of the State based on expert forecasts of trends in the immigration situation over the long-term. The Government will complete the alignment between the immigration and asylum policies with the standards in the European Union and will continue in implementing the Schengen Action Plan. The Government will work with particular intensity on the problems of illegal immigration and the illegal employment of foreigners, and indeed on all other phenomena connected with this area. In conformity with the international obligations of the Czech Republic, the Government will make efforts to safeguard the just and effective handling of asylum cases and at the same time will adopt measures that limit abuse of the asylum system. The Government will create conditions to develop further the concept for the integration of foreigners living in the Czech Republic, including the impact this will have on the labour market.
The Government will concern itself in a thorough manner with certain disturbing forms of general criminality, such as armed robbery, vehicle and vehicle contents theft and burglary in flats and holiday homes. An important element will be the support of improvements in situation-based and social prevention of crime, including support for preventive programmes at the local level. Constant watchfulness will be applied to the systematic approach to work with juvenile offenders.
The Government does not consider the position of victims of crime to be satisfactory and will search for further means to support them effectively.
The Government also intends to improve the current system of co-ordinating the intelligence services by defining this system more precisely and through creating organisational and technical conditions for problem-free communication. Integral to these measures will also be the creation of conditions intensifying co-ordination between police and intelligence services.
The Government is aware of the fact that the private sector plays a certain part in safeguarding security and order. It therefore intends to analyse in an ongoing way the legal conditions of their role and, if required, propose any amendments necessary.
7.3. Integrated rescue system and crisis management
The Government will attempt in the forthcoming term of office to ensure the material and organisational state of readiness and capability of the Fire and Rescue Brigade and other components of the Integrated Rescue System in dealing with the effects of natural catastrophes and other extraordinary events with an emphasis on improving all forms of the protection of inhabitants and property during crisis situations. The Government will support the continuing construction of the information and communications system of the Integrated Rescue System.
Concerning crisis management, the Government is in favour of uniting the procedures adopted by public authorities and private sector entities in developing crisis plans and preparing for crisis situations. The Government will focus on increasing the level of public awareness and modernisation of a coherent system of warning and notification.
The Government will assess options to select the most effective form of funding for components of the Integrated Rescue System, including the possibility of introducing funding for several components from one source.
8. Foreign policy
The Government understands the advancement and defence of national interests as being the fundamental task of Czech foreign policy and, in the wider context, extends this understanding to include the interests of the peaceful, uniting and prospering Europe and the entire international community. The Government will implement its foreign policy within the framework of a strong transatlantic alliance.
The objective of the Government is to contribute through foreign policy to the prosperity, stability and security of the Czech Republic. Its main priorities are therefore integration into the European Union, the development of good relations with all neighbouring countries and the intensification of co-operation within NATO. The Government will also devote its attention to the development of relations with further countries and international organisations at both bilateral and multilateral levels, with a particular focus on the economic dimensions of economic policy.
The Government will continue to pursue an active and balanced foreign policy, while at the same time making efforts to achieve the widest possible consensus of domestic political forces on important issues. The Government will update its concept for foreign policy from 1999 by taking into account developments in situations across the globe and in the position of the Czech Republic. It will approach the further improvement of the Czech Foreign Service through the application of the Civil Service Act in a way that is appropriate for this area.
The obligations of the Government regarding accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union are outlined in chapter 9 of this document. It is possible therefore in this current chapter to be restricted to stating that the fundamental priority of the Government’s foreign policy continues to be ensuring membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union in the most developed integration grouping. Suitable conditions have been achieved for membership; the Government currently faces the tasks of completing domestic preparations for accession, finalising pre-accession negotiations and ensuring that the Czech Republic has an effective role in the European Union.
A main priority of the Government will also be the further development of the Czech Republic’s membership in NATO and to complete its total integration into this Alliance, within the framework of which the security of the State is reliably safeguarded. The Government will support the strengthening of transatlantic ties, which are the backbone of the system of European security. As a full member of NATO, the Government will make efforts to promote decisions that confirm the importance of this organisation in safeguarding the security and defence of its members and will actively contribute to their implementation. It will support transformational steps that lead to adapting NATO to new security threats, including defence against international terrorism. The Government will support the substantial enlargement of the Alliance with the addition of countries that are properly prepared for membership. The Government has an interest in encouraging the closest possible ties between NATO and the European Union, as a means of coping with crises.
The forthcoming summit in Prague will be a milestone in the further development of NATO, significant for the modernisation of the Alliance and the next stage of its enlargement, and in strengthening European and transatlantic co-operation within the framework it will provide. The Government considers the successful completion of this summit as one of its important tasks.
The Government believes international terrorism to be its greatest threat to security, particularly in connection with the spread of weapons of mass destruction. For this reason, it will actively involve itself in the efforts of NATO and the wider international community in working towards minimising this danger through, amongst other ways, participation in anti-terrorist operations, peace-keeping operations and humanitarian missions. In this regard, it will place special significance on Alliance co-operation concerning protection against weapons of mass destruction.
In connection with new turning points in the developing international situation, the Government will work on updating the Security Strategy of the Czech Republic.
One of the basic tasks of Czech foreign policy is the development of good bilateral relations based on partnership, equality, democracy, respect and mutually beneficial co-operation. The Government considers good relations with neighbouring states to be of extraordinary importance.
The Government will continue to maintain its special relationship with the Slovak Republic and to deepen successfully the relations developing with the Republic of Poland, as an important partner of the Czech Republic.
The Government places great significance on the effective functioning of the Visegrad forum.
The Government considers friendly relations with the Federal Republic of Germany to be extremely important. The Government intends to develop relations at many levels on the basis of the Treaty on Good Neighbourhood, Friendly Co-operation from 1992and the Czech-German Declaration from 1997. Our alliance with the Federal Republic of Germany in NATO and our forthcoming partnership in the European Union provides greater room for the further development of these relations.
The Government is interested in maintaining good neighbourly relations with the Republic of Austria and will place special emphasis on their further development, oriented towards our common future together in the European Union. The Government will work towards thorough implementation of the conclusions drawn from “the Melk process”.
The Government will actively work together with the Republic of Hungary, within the context of Central European regional activities.
In relation to questions surrounding the end of World War II and its consequences, the Government will base its further action on the resolution adopted by the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic no. 2235 on 24 April 2002.
The Government will devote special attention to maintaining friendly and closely allied relations with the United States of America.
The Government will continue to develop mutually beneficial relations with the Russian Federation and with Ukraine in all areas of common interest. The Government considers the further participation of the Czech Republic in the process of political and economic stabilisation and renewal of South East Europe as being of particular importance.
Concerning the Near and Middle East, the Government will actively support joint efforts to achieve a balanced solution to the protracted Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and towards reducing tensions and ensuring the security, stability and economic prosperity of this region.
The Government will continue in developing and deepening bilateral relations with the countries of Latin America, Asia, Africa and Australia and the Pacific area on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, and with an emphasis on economic interests.
An important element of the foreign policy of the Czech Republic will continue to be the development of multilateral relations. The Government will support steps that contribute to strengthening the authority, effectiveness and capability of action of the United Nations in the areas of prevention of conflicts, crisis management, humanitarian aid, post-conflict renewal and long-term development, support for democratising processes and respect for human rights, as laid down in the Millennium Declaration. It will be work to these ends through the Czech presidency of the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations. The Government will continue to contribute actively towards the work of the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and further regional European groupings.
The Government is prepared to contribute to the development of international law, particularly concerning the general strengthening of international legal protection of human rights and international humanitarian law. In this respect, the Government intends to further the greater efficacy of relevant legal norms in order to suppress action taken against the international community as a whole, including the support of competent and impartial international judicial institutions.
The Government will further reinforce the position of the Czech Republic in international economic organisations, actively contribute to their work and draw from them stimuli for its domestic economic and social welfare policy. It will primarily devote attention to dialogue with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, co-operation with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.
An integral part of the foreign policy of the Government of the Czech Republic will also be foreign development co-operation, which is inter alia one of the instruments that supports democratising processes throughout the world and which the Government will implement in conformity with the principles by which it is exercised in developed countries.
The Government will create conditions to improve the coherent presentation of the Czech Republic abroad.
The Government will continue to devote attention to the development of relations with communities of Czechs in foreign countries.
9. The European Union
9.1. Accession to the European Union
A fundamental priority for the Government is the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union. Suitable conditions have been achieved for membership; the Government currently faces the tasks of completing domestic preparations for accession, finalising pre-accession negotiations and ensuring that the Czech Republic has an effective role in the European Union.
During its pre-accession negotiations, the Government will make efforts to ensure that conditions are agreed for as yet unclosed chapters of the future Accession Partnership which provide maximum benefit to the Czech Republic. The Government will work towards approval of the Accession Partnership in order that the Czech Republic can become a member state of the European Union at the beginning of 2004.
The Government will initiate the adoption of legal regulations enabling a referendum on accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union. During the period preceding this referendum, the Government will further reinforce its efforts to ensure that the nation is informed as fully as possible concerning the European Union and concerning the significance and impact of the Czech Republic’s integration into this grouping. The Government considers success in obtaining the greatest possible participation by Czech citizens in the referendum and in the assertion of their approval for the accession of this country to the European Union as one of its key tasks.
The Government will create conditions for the Czech Republic to move from its status as an associated country to a position of equal standing with the member countries of the European Union in such a way that, on the day of accession to it the Czech Republic, it is able to function effectively, defend its interests and requirements and be a valid member of this community. The Government will act to ensure that the Czech Republic can from its position as a member country of the European Union contribute to the development of an economic and social welfare model that respects the principles of democracy and human rights and the dignity of all nations.
The Government will actively take part in debate on the future of the European Union, both within the framework provided by Convent and in the following intergovernmental conference which will decide on the form of the Union for the forthcoming period. In this debate, it will urge for the further deepening and enlargement of the economic and political integration of Europe, including its social welfare dimension, strengthening its democratic nature and supranational elements and their development, while respecting the national and cultural independence of individual states and regions on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity.
The Government will ensure the active participation of the Czech Republic in formulating and implementing common foreign and security policy of the European Union. The Government will support the greatest possible involvement in the process of creating European security and defence policy within both the military and civilian spheres.
The Government is fully in favour of the current aims of the European Union and will work towards meeting the strategic objectives set by the Council of Europe in Lisbon in March 2000 to make the European Union through its expertise the most dynamic and competitive economy in the world, able to maintain long-term sustainable growth, and with more and better jobs on offer and higher levels of social cohesion. In order to achieve this objective, the Government will align its policies in the areas of the economy, social welfare, employment and the environment with the principles being developed in the European Union, paying special attention to the development of human potential and investment in a knowledge-intensive society.
9.2. Compatibility of Czech law with European Community law
The harmonising of Czech law with European Community law will continue to be a clear priority. In contrast with its predecessor, this Government will exist in two separate stages during its term of office, which are the pre-accession period in its position only as an associated state, and from the beginning of 2004, it is expected, in the position of a member state. In both of these stages it will bear responsibility for the harmonisation of Czech legal regulations with Community law in such a way that the Czech Republic moves from its obligations arising from the associated form of the Europe Agreement to obligations which have already been adopted within the context of pre-accession negotiations and towards subsequent membership based on Accession Partnership.
For the first stage, the Government will therefore commit itself to the inventory of legislative tasks that remain to be completed before the anticipated accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union which was drawn up by the previous Government towards the end of its term of office. Even though the interim results could be assessed as being positive, there is a large number of norms still to be adopted and their implementation secured from the moment the Accession Partnership is concluded, meaning during this year and during the first months of next year, and covering not only acts of Parliament but also subordinate regulations (Governmental Orders and Implementing Notices). Further tasks will be added to this arising from the notice of the European Commission on the acquis communautaire for 2002. The total number of acts, or amendments to existing acts, which should come into force prior to the accession of the Czech Republic is at this time approximately 50.
The Government will therefore endeavour during the forthcoming period to complete prepared bills and draw up new proposals in an accelerated manner and of sufficient quality. In this way, it hopes to ensure their timely submission and fluid debate and hence their adoption by the Parliament of the Czech Republic during Autumn 2002 and Spring 2003, in order that nothing in this regard obstructs the conclusion of the Accession Partnership. Concerning subordinate regulatory norms that should be passed and operative at the time of accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union, the Government will accept responsibility for their preparation and timely issue.
With the conditions of membership, harmonisation of national law with European Community law is a continuous process and member states carry the responsibility for its implementation. For this reason and based on its experience until now, the Government will carry out all measures which are available to it within the legislative process so that from the first days of membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union that this country will perform its obligations to the maximum extent when transposing directives to the relevant legal regulations, including notification of this to the European Commission, and that in this way the threat of procedural, financial or other consequences arising from insufficient implementation or transposition can be pre-empted. This also applies to orders that have direct validity in other ways, in the case that legislative steps need to be taken by member states for their implementation.
An integral element within the duties of this Government is also to ensure that from the moment of accession all authorities, institutes, commercial sectors and citizens are informed of all relevant regulations issued in the European Union until the end of 2003 and which apply to this State during the accession process.
In this respect, the Government will draw on co-operation established until now with the European Commission in translating these legal regulations. Following their special publication in the Official Journal of the European Community prior to the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union, these translations and revised wordings become the official wordings for these regulations. After the Czech Republic has become a member state, the Official Journal of the European Community will be published in the Czech language, as one of the official languages of the European Union. Until the issue of the Official Journal of the European Community in Czech, however, the Government will continue to publish these relevant legal regulations of the European Community on the Internet, in order for the public to have the information it requires with sufficient advance notice. In co-operation with the European Commission, the most important rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Communities and the Court of First Instance of EC will also be provided and published up to the time of accession for the requirements of the courts and legal practitioners.
9.3. The preparation of institutions for accession to the European Union
The Government will make efforts to engage the greatest possible participation of all citizens in the development of society. Their participation will require decentralisation, the exercise of the principle of solidarity which is customary in the European Union and communication between employees and employers. It is precisely this social participation which is the highest form of the civil society.
In conformity with the aims of the European Union, the Government will focus its efforts on narrowing gaps in levels of development in different regions and on eliminating the negative effects of structural changes in individual areas. The objective of this policy of economic and social cohesion is for regions to enjoy the same levels of opportunity and for their demographic, economic and natural potential to be fully realised.
The Czech Republic will be able to utilise resources from the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund of the European Union immediately after accession. For this substantial benefit of membership to be used to the full, the Government will invest maximum efforts into accelerating institutional preparations for the receipt of support from the Structural Funds and from the Cohesion Fund by creating suitable administrative conditions for management and payment bodies.
10. Conclusion
The Government of the Czech Republic anticipates that it will inform the Chamber of Deputies concerning the implementation of this statement of policy on an annual basis. In the preparation of bills, the Government is ready to establish the broadest level of communication with the special committees of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and with the Chamber of Deputies’ political groups and the Senate’s caucuses. The Government believes that following the completion of its four-year term of office it will be able to declare that the Czech Republic has become a full and valued member of the European Union, representing an integral component of a unified and modern Europe, a community of development, humanity and plurality of national cultures. It believes that the fulfilment of this presented statement of policy will become a common integrating element for all those who believe in the principles of democracy, the rule of law, social solidarity and continuous sustainable development, while respecting human beings and their inalienable rights and freedoms.