Czech 'crisis manager' Sikela to helm EU’s answer to China’s Belt and Road Initiative

2 min read Business, Czech Republic, Economy, Energy, EU, Slovakia, Belt & Road, Global Gateway Strategy, Sefcovic, Sikela

Czechia’s former industry minister and crisis manager Jozef Sikela has been appointed to lead the EU’s EUR 300bn Global Gateway Strategy, the bloc’s riposte to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Sikela will oversee infrastructure investments aimed at countering the BRI by forging strategic international partnerships.

Romania asks EU for top commissioner post, as Poland, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia jostle for position

2 min read Austria, Czech Republic, EU, News by country, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, V4 & Romania, Brunner, Ciolacu, Negrescu, Serafin, Sikela, Ursula von der Leyen, Vesel

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has requested that his country’s upcoming European Commissioner focuses on economic policies, following a meeting with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday. “I want a portfolio that is highly relevant, given that we are the sixth largest country