Building leverage at the EU level? Specialisation and coherence in Czech policy on Eastern European transition
Abstract
This article analyses the potential long-term influence of the Czech Republic on the European Union's policy on Eastern European transition. Building on lobbying literature, the article conceptualises the potential long-term influence at the EU level as a combination of specialisation and coherence in a member state policy.
The research is based on a qualitative analysis of Czech foreign policy documents, money flows, particularly of development and transition assistance, and public speeches of key politicians across the political spectrum and several administrations. It concludes that the Czech Republic does specialise in and build expertise on Eastern Europe's transition, but lacks coherence.
As a result, the country is probably underperforming in influencing the EU policy concerning the region.