Prague Leaders Magazine Issue 05/2010

NO 5/2010195,- CZK

www.leadersmagazine.czincl. electronic version

now available in Brussels

Diplomatic Event

X page 26

Industrial Event

X page 114

The International Engineering Fair was again the largest presentation of industrial technologies in the area of Central Europe. Its scope, high...

Int. Engineering Fair (MSV) Brno 2010 Is a Promise for the Future

Business Event

X page 106

Legal Matters

X page 68

CEELI Institute recognized Judge Vojtch Cepl for his contributions to the rule of law at the US Residence. During its Annual Meeting...

To act as a platform for an informal business negotiation and exchange of opinions for repre-sentatives of energy, gas and related fields...

CEELI InstituteAnnual Meeting

Int. Energy Club (IEC) Ostrava 2010

Wedding

X page 30

Spectacular aristocratic wedding took place at the Castle Chotbo between Anna Countesse Dobrzensky de Dobrzenicz and Count Charles...

Wedding of the Yearat Chotbo

BusinessBusinessWithout Burdens Without Burdens

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Martin Kocourek,Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

Photo: Mr. Kocourek s archive

On the days of 30 August 3 September 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held regular meetings of heads of diplomatic missions of...

Reception forAll Czech Ambassadors at the Senate

COVERING TOP CZECH EVENTS

LEADERS MAGAZINEFor Full Photocoverage Go To

www.leadersmagazine.cz/photogallery

now available in Brussels

LeLeadadddeers Magazizinene ffococususeses oonnn n liliilifefefefefeststylyle,e, iintntererrviviews, bbususususinnininneseesess,s, cculululultttuture aanddnd llluxuxurury yprprprprodododdoduuctss aaaaaandndndndndnd cccccccovovovovovo ererererere ssssss mamamamamaanynynynynyyy iiiiimpmpmpmpmppporororororo tatatatataaantntnn aandnd iintntereresestitingng eeveveveveeentntntntnntntntsssssss. OOOOOOOurururururururur rrrrrrrreaeaeaeaeaeaeaeadededededededd rsrsrsrsrsrs aaaaaarrerererererere people from diplomatic society, governmeememe ttntntntntntnt oooooooofffffffcccccccciiiaiaiaiaiaiallsllslslsls, dddecision makers in busi-ness, Czech citizens with higher income and tourists. The targeted distribution

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It is a glorious late summer day, or if you prefer an early autumn day, and after a morning practicing golf at Hodkokookovivivivikkkky y y ygolf course, I am now innn ttthehehe ooofffffficicicee e ananandd dwriting to you Deaeaearrr ReReReadadaders sooomememe wwwororordsdsds about whattt yyyouoo cannn fffininnddd ininin ttthihihisss SeSeSepptp ember issue ofofofof LLLLeaeaeaeadedededersrsrss MMMMagagaga azine.

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Duee tto the chhangngess of the popolilitiicacall scscenene, wee hahave a new GGovveernmnment, and mamanyny nnew Minissteters aandnd ttopop PPololititicicians. DeDesps iitee their tight aandd haardrd wwororkikingng schehedudulele we e hahaveve mmananagageded too gget highly inttereresstitingng interviewews s withth MMrr. MMartinKoKococoururekek,, MMininistster of Induduststrry and Tradee, wwho iss aalslso o fefeataturureded oon ouurr frfronont papagege, MrMr. PaPaveel Drobil, Minnissterr off EnEnviviroronmnmenent,t, MMUDUDr.r LLeo Heeger, Minister r oof HeHealth, Mr. Ji BBesser, MMinnisteterr ofof CC lulturee, MMrs. Kateinin KKlassnov, Chambeber DeDeputy Heaeadd anndd ViVicece CChahairirwwomaman n ofo thhe VV, Peter Tluchchoo, ODS DeDepuputyty GrGrououpp HeHeadad oof f ththee ChChammbeer of Deputtiess ofof tthe Parliammennt, Peemymyslsl SSobobototkaka,, SpSpeaeakeker ofof tthehe Senatate,e, ZZdedenk Tmama TTopop 009 9 cacandndididatate e inin tthehe eelelectctioion toto bbe the new Mayor of Prague City Hall, Mrs. Sandra Day Oconnor, First FemaleAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court USA to mention a few.

I salute the company Omnipol a.s. which partly sponsored our photoreport of the National Day of Slovakia. The reception was very successful,

with participation of the Prime Minister Petr Neas of the Czech Republic, four other Ministers and many representatives from

the Business, Political, Diplomatic and Cultural sphere. Great music, the best of weather, food and wine contributed tomake this National Day a very special day despite the verytough economic and financial restrictions that the Embassy is bound to follow. But I ask myself where is the generosityand the corporate responsibility of the big companies with

roots from Slovakia, such as Penta Investments, J&Tbanka and others. Shame on you. You should support your country on

this particularly important day. You are very rich and successfulcompanies you should be proud when your home country celebrates

its National Day, and to help and sponsor the Embassys efforts no promoteits country. Look at other Embassies and their National Days no shortageof sponsors.

Finally, I wish you a pleasant Autumn, hopefully you will find a lot of mushrooms in the forest a very popular tradition of Czech people during ththeieieirr frfreeee tttimimi ee bebebe nnicci ee tototo eeeacacachh ototheheherrr anandd bebe gggeneneneere oououss inin mmatatteterrsr ssmamam llllll anandd bibig.g. Itt aalways ppayayss ooff.

Benkkee Aikekelll benke.aaikkelll@[email protected]

wwwww.w.leleadadere smmagagaazine.czcz

Dear Readers,

6 LeLeLeadadadeere s MaMaMagagg ziziinenene VVV/2/2/20101010

My MMy MMMyMy MMMy MyMyMy My MMyMy MyMMyMyMyMy MyMMMyMyyMMy yMyMyMMMMMy MMy dogdogdogdogdogdogdogdogdogdogdogogogdogdogdogdogdogdogdogdodogogogdoggdoggogogggdogogogdoggdogodogggg RhRhRhRhRhRhRhRhRhRhhhRRhRhRhRhRRRhhRheaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaaaeeeaeaaeaaeaeaaaaaaaaeaaeaeaeaaaaa

events14 4th Leaders Magazine Advisory

Board Dinner30 Wedding of the Year at Chotbo 40 Opening of the Exhibition on July 8,

2010 Gala Night at Prague Castle42 An Evening in the Ledeburg Gardens48 Lions Club Prague Bohemia

Ambassador50 European Certificate EFA Course64 Lions Club Prague Eagle68 CEELI institute Annual Meeting80 Opening Ceremony of the Prague

Day at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai82 Czech Fashion in Shanghai86 Prague Intercup Arabian Horse

Show Debut90 Summer Boat Trip of the German-Czech Chamber of Industry and Commerce102 A Golf Festival in eladn106 International Energy Club (IEC) Ostrava 2010114 International Engineering Fair (MSV) 2010 Is a Promise for the Future

culture events128 Patrons Club of the National Theatre129 Ka Kabanov 130 Celebrational End of the Theatre Season at the National Theatre131 The National Theatre Thanks132 Jazz at the Castle with Ursula Dudziak Band & Michal Urbaniak136 Jazz at the Castle with Frantiek Uhl 60

publishers note & contents

Benkkee Aiiikekellll

page 36An interview with Kateina Klasnov

page 30Wedding of the Year at Chotbo

page 40 Opening of the Exhibition at Prague Castle

contents

diplomatic events26 Reception for All Czech Ambassadors at the Senate56 National Day of Slovakia 72 Farewell to the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Huo Yuzhen9494 FFllower CCarp tet

interviews10 Business without Burdens

A talk with Martin Kocourek, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

12 Defending Speaker A talk with Pemysl Sobotka, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament

of the Czech Republic

20 Health Care with Social FaceA talk with Leo Heger, Minister of Health of the Czech Republic

22 Honesty and Authentic LeadershipA talk with Ji Besser, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

24 Nuclear Energy is the Most Ecologic OneA talk with Pavel Drobil, Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic

36 Politics Still Remains Sort of a Men s World An interview with Kateina Klasnov, Chamber Deputy Head and the Vice-Chairwoman

of the VV

38 You Cannot Look Back in PoliticsAn interview with Dagmar Zvinov, Senator and Deputy Mayor of r nad Szavou

44 First Lady of the Supreme Court An interview with Sandra Day OConnor, first female Associate Justice of the Supreme

Court of the United States

46 Regenerative Medicine Is Our Future An interview with Prof. Eva Sykov, MD, DSc, Director of the Institute of Experimental

Medicine (IEM) at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

52 Magic Stems from the Steadiness of the ConstitutionA i t i ith S t Ji kAn interview with Senator Ji k

54 Nuclear Energy Industries Offer Promising PerspectiveAn interview with Josef Fit, Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Office

60 Responsibility and Credibility are Key for a PoliticianA talk with Zdenk Tma, TOP 09 Party Frontrunner for Lord Mayor of Prague

66 Political Greenhorn to Change Prague Townhall? An Interview with Jan Kalousek, Prague ODS Independent Candidate in Municipal

Elections

76 Eating and Not Breathing Is ImpossibleAn interview with new President of Czech Statistical Office, Ms. Iva Ritschelov

78 ODS Needs to be a Standard Political Party and Not a Pack An interview with Peter Tlucho, ODS Deputy Group Head of the Chamber of Deputies

of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

96 The Path to Film Paradise A talk with Michal Surma, Executive Director of the Summer Film School and the Head

of Production of the Association of the Czech Film Clubs

104 International Energy Club (IEC) Ostrava 2010 AnAn iintntererviviewew wwitithh InIng.g. AAlelenana VVititsskokovv,, PrPresesididenentt ofof KKlulubb plplynynrrenenskskcchh popodndnikikatatelel

R, s.r.o. and Ing. Even Toenovsk, Euro Deputy and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament (ITRE)

126 Vra Rakov - Interior Design ExpertAn interview with Vra Rakov, Interior Design Expert

contributors19 Can Computers Communicate without us?/Ivan Piln35 Beware of Your Bad Business Manners/

Karin Genton-LEpe51 Don't miss your chance, Fle tells Belgrade/EurActiv.com88 Is the Future Cloudy?/Jan Mhlfeit98 A Business May Be Your Life But Life Is Your

Business - Part VI: Creating A Successful Business A,B/James A. Cusumano, PhD

111 The Influence of Women/Emil Jimenez118 Art/Architecture/Iva Drebitko135 Anti-Discrimination Act/JUDr. Roman Jelnek, Ph.D.

100110

112117

EU matters120 Eastern Partnership Helps to Develop Cooperation

Between Governments, NGOs and Businessesments, NGOs and An interview with H. E. tefan FLE, EU Commissioner with H. E. tefan FLLLLLLE, EU

for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policyment and Neighbouuurhrhhrhrhrhrhrhhoooooooooooooooooooooood ddddd Po

122 Every Business Can Be Innovative! But support ess Can Be Innovative!e!e!!e!e!!!!!e!e!e!!!!!e BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBuuuuuto Innovativve Solutions is Needed!!!!!!!!!!!

124 Business Neews121255 GGeneratitions g ze os vakk FForeiign s MMe tetiing tat tthhe CCze hchosllovakk

Institute Coourse

page 94Flower Carpet

page 80Opening Ceremony

of the Prague Day at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai

Leaders Magazine is member of

We are pleased to announce that we have considerably extended Leaders Magazine spread to include 80 topnotch restaurants in Prague.

Publisher: Benke Aikell

Contributors: James A. Cusumano, Joseph Drebitko,

Karin Genton-LEpe, Pavlna Holancov, Martina Hokov, Filip Hubek,

Emil Jimenez, Ph.D., Zuzana Kaskov, Jan Muehlfeit, EurActiv, Ivan Piln,

Vra ihkov

Marketing/Advertising:Lynn Tourkiov, Max Salamatin,

Alexander Fernando, Shalva Sikharulidze

Marketing & Editorial DirectorVladimra Vclavkov

EU Matters:CEBRE Czech Business Representation,

CESES, Europlatform

Photographers:Petr Berounsk, Josef Dvok, Ivan Hoza,

Miroslav Hoza, Martin Janas, Milo Jan Jr.Zuzana Jirskov, Lada Kimerov,

Jaroslav Kocin, Renata Kolov, Jan Kruml, Michaela Kulkov, rka Kulkov, Jakub Ludvk,Petr Nikl, Jaroslav Odstrilk,

Anna Peckov, Lenka Pekrkov, Filip Pokorn, Zbynk Prokop

Martin Salajka, Radek Salaquarda, Hana Smejkalov, Michal Stichauer,

tefan pic, Michal ula, Kateina ulov, Vladimr Weiss, Ji Zach, Meshulam Zisso

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YoYou u cac n ndnd tthehe MMagagazaziine in tthehesese ne reststaaurarantnts:s: ((tetelelephphononee nunumbm erer for reservvatit onon))

Total circulation:Total circulation: cca 18.000 bi-monthly includingelectronic version.

Readership total: cca 500.000

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info

Leaders Magazine Advisory BoardThe positive reputation of Leaders Magazine continues to grow, however we realize thatitive repThe itive repusiwe must maintain to improve and learn, particularly during these times of dynamicntwe m maintuschange. That is why we have decided to set up an Advisory Board for the magazine. I amhangge. Thathngeconvinced that creating a platform of high profile individuals will be an excellent oppor-convincvinced thonvtunity for the magazine to acquire new ideas and define new directions of future deve-t nitynity for tthetunlopment.lopmmentent.

Benke AikellBennke Ae AikeelYour Publisher ur Publis

There are only few projects started in the Czech Republic by foreigners which I consider There are onas useful to this country as Leaders Magazine. The magazine has brought to the Czechs Republic the completely new concept of making important people the decision makersppbe they Czech or foreigners visible and worthy of positive admiration. be

As you might know this is something not very common and perhaps even not very natu-ral in the Czech Republic. It is therefore all the more of an achievement to start andsuccessfully develop a project such as Leaders Magazine. I understand fully the intention of Benke Aikell, the magazines founder and editor-in-chief, to progress further with Leaders Magazine, and for this purpose to form a team of experienced Czech citizens of different backgrounds to create a consulting body which would bring this project toan even higher level.

Ing. Karel Muzik, CSc.Ing.President of ComeniusPres en

was pleased to be invited by Benke Aikell to cooperate on the preparation of the AdvisoryI was plpleI wasBoard project. I personally see one of the main goals of the project in creation of a positiveBoarBoardardd pprojrd penvironment for networking, exchange of views, presentation of new ideas, experiences, iroenviroenvironmenmproposals or suggestions. prop lsosaal

I am convinced that the formation of a platform of highly profiled personalities and potentialI m convinam nvdiscussion of different topics in very informal setting will be useful for both sides for theddiscussimagazine as well as for the members of the Advisory Board. magaazi

Ing. Petr KuberntIng. ng.Director of Pekos s.r.o.DiDirerectDConsulting and Training Company Consuo

ADVISORY BOARD COMITTEE

Benke AikellenkB l,, Publisher,, Leaders Maggazine, PIng. Petr KuberntIng. Petr KuI , Director, PEKOS s.r.o. and former Czech Ambassador to the NetherlandsIng. Karel Muzik, CSc.g.Ing , President, COMENIUS

HONORARY MEMBERS ABROAD AND GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

H.E. Mr. William J. CabanissH , former United States Ambassador to the Czech RepublicVincent J. Derudder, Secretary General, The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial IntermediariesH.E. Mr. Alexey L. Fedotov, former Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Czech RepublicH.E. Mr. Richard Graber, former United States Ambassador to the Czech RepublicH.E. Athar Mahmood, former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Czech RepublicH.E. Dr. Zdravko Popov, former Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgariato the Czech RepublicH.E. Mati Vaarmann, former Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Czech Republicja Vrzov, Czech World Champion in Figure-skating, Sport LegendH.E. Huo Yuzhen, former Ambassador of the People s Republic of China to the CzechRepublic

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSPhDr. Zdenk p, Managing Partner, Equity Solutions s. r. o.Josef Drebitko, CEO, D&COMMProf. Ing. Ji Frek, CSc., First Deputy Mayor, City of Prague 6Ing. Peter P. Formnek, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Czech RepublicMgr. Marta Gellov, Secretary General, AFIZMichal Heman, General Manager, Star CommunicationssVclav Hudeek, ViolinistPlk. Mgr. Vladislav Husk, Director, Alien Police Service,rvPolice of the Czech Republic JUDr. PhDr. Oldich Chodra, Lawyer, Law Firm JUDr. PhDr. Oldich Chodra & spol.Prof. Ing. Kamil Janek, CSc., CNB Bank Board Memberer k Board Membeand Chief Executive DirectorOtto Jelinek, Member of the Board, OKDKIng. Peter Jusko, MBA, Executive Vice President Groundund rot GrsidencOperations, Czech Airlines and Partner, London Market Market n MadondonIng. Petr Kala, former Minister of EnvironmentmentnviIng. arch. Jan Kasl, AIDstudio, President EUROPAN CZZZCPANOPdent EURIng. Josef Kreuter, CSc., former Czech Ambassador r adbto the EUProf. Dr.h.c. JUDr. Jan K, CSc., Partner, Law Firm K Ka Blina s.r.o.Ing. Jaroslav Kubita, Secretary, Lions Club Prague EagleueGenmjr. JUDr. Lubomr Kvala, former Director of the Department of Protection of Constitutional Officials, al O ls,Police of the Czech Republic Ing. Vladimr Latvka, former M.P.Jan Muehlfeit, Chairman, Europe Microsoft CorporationpoIng. Ji Maceka, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Boaesk pota a. s. and former Czech Ambassador to OECDDo OIng. Jozef Piga, Member of the Supervisory Board, Omnipol a.s.George Parobek, Managing Director, Ifield Computer Consultancyrka Parobek, Director, Ifield Computer ConsultancyDoc. Ing. Antonn Peltrm, CSc., Director IEI, Bankovn institut vysok kola, a.s.Doc. Ing. Vclav Petek, CSc., General Manager of the Chamber SNSIng. Lucie Pilipov, Partner, Via Perfecta, s.r.o.Ing. Ivan Piln, President, TUESDAY Business NetworkJUDr. estmr Sajda, MBA, former Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs MUMUDDr. RiRi hchardd SSequens, PPhDhD., HHe dad off SSurgiic lal Gastroenterology Center, Nemocnice Milosrdnch sester h sester sv. Karla Boromejskho v Praze and former SenatororoPhDr. MgA. Miroslav Smolk, Owner, Galerie MIROROMIRMgr. Albin E. Sybera, Managing Director, Syberara Enterprises spol. s r. o.Brigadier General Ing. Andor ndor (ret.), ConsultantntonnsultaPhDr. Jaroslav ediv CSc., former Ambassadodor and Minister of Foreign AffairsJUDr. Josef estk, LawyerBc. Vladimr ika, MBA, 1st Deputy Minister, Minist ytry t

of Labour and Social AffairsIng. Pavel tefka, MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, TatraIng. Helena vdov, Director, Department of TradeAdministration, Czech Export BankIng. Ji Vvra, Vice Chairman, STROJEXPORT, a.s.JUDr. Petr Vyroubal, Partner, Law FirmVyroubal Krajhanzl kolout

interview

Martin KocourekMinister of Industry and

Trade of the Czech Republic

Photo: Vladimr Weiss

A talk with Martin Kocourek, MMinister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

Business without BurdensIng. Martin Kocourek (1966) graduated after studying economiccs and management at the Czech Technical University in Prague. He was elected (the ODS nominee) as a member of the Federal Assembly in 19992. He was an adviser of Prime Minister Vclav Klaus from 19921997. During the economic transformation and privatization he was engaged iin the statutory bodies of several state and semi-state corporations (esk Spoi-telna, UNIPETROL, etc.). He was a member of the Presidium of thee Land Fund of the Czech Republic from 19972005. Martin Kocourek became an MP (ODS) and held the of ce of the Deputy Chairman of the Budgett Committee, in the years 19982006. He has been the president of the supervisory board of the EZ since 2006, and also has business in the eld oof economic consulting. For a long time, he has been involved in several non-pro t organizations, including the Vclav Klaus Endowment Fund. Martinn Kocourek was appointed the Minister of Industry and Trade in 2010.

Leaders Magazine V/2010 11

The key priority of your department is to strengthen the energy security of the Czech Republic. In this context, what do you think of the emerging common energy policy of the EU, and the EUs effort to increase renewable resources, and manage the overall consumption of energy within the EU?

Strengthening the energy security of the CzechRepublic is one of my main priorities. Energy is a very complex field, and the states role in thisissue is to ensure the delivery of energy to its citi-zens and firms, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.In this context, we need to see that the energy coming from renewable resources is part of a well-balanced energy mix. The Czech Republic particu-larly pledged to produce 13 percent of its energy from renewable resources by the year 2020. Yet, weneed to be balanced with renewable resources,especially with regard to stability and control.

One of the energy security priorities of the Czech Republic is to successfully complete the nuclear power station Temeln. What risks do you face in this respect?

The nuclear power station Temeln has to becompleted to satisfy the energy needs of theCzech Republic in the mid-term and the long-term.Energy investment needs to be planned about 40 years ahead. The tender for finishing Temeln,however, was announced by the EZ. Thus, therole of the state here is indirect, and is conductedby means of the supervisory board. In regards tonuclear power stations, we are looking for an opti-mal solution for the protection of their operation.Regarding the exclusion of some players from the tender in advance, I dont think it would be bene-ficial. The tender will only bring the best offer if it is available to all of the competition.

What do you think the Czech business envi-ronment needs most?

I continually speak with businesses and profes-sional associations, with the chief goal of estab-lishing better conditions for entrepreneurship inthe Czech Republic. Our businesses in the CzechRepublic, and the Czech Republic in general,should be globally competitive. Obviously, any

professional association has its own issues, but almost all agreee on one thing: they want the state to ensure simple, transparent conditions of en-trepreneurship, without redundant bureaucracy. Thus, eliminatioon of the useless bureaucratic burden is one off my main priorities.

Finding new markets could, without a doubt, be one way of solving the problems of Czech business. However, entrepreneurs are calling for a better state policy to promote export. So, what is the states role concerning exports?

The Czech ecconomy is very open, and more than two-thirds of our GDP is exports. Under these conditions, the business sphere obviously needs a strong voice too show strength in foreign markets. The Ministry of Industry and Trade actively sup-ports the entryy of Czech exports into foreignmarkets, as weell as finding new business and investment opportunities. Obviously, we have co-operated closely with other bodies of the stateadministration, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furtherrmore, we cooperate with state bodies such as tthe Czech Trade, the Czech Export Bank, and withh the Export Guarantee and In-surance Corporation. On top of that, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has several tools for creat-ing a pro-exporrt policy. For instance, the Czech Republic particcipates abroad in 25 official fair trade events. Thhis activity has a strong multiplica-tion effect. Thee fair trade costs make up about 70 million CZK annually, and we do really appre-ciate that the economic return, with regardto closed contracts of Czech companies, is around 8 billion CZK.

So where are the biggest shortages in the states pro-export policy?

I would like too change the pro-export policy so that our tools arre in the greatest possible synergy with other toolss. I am analyzing some options to make industry, aand export promotion, as effective as possible. This might perhaps require some in-stitutional changes as well. In doing so, I want tounify and optimmize the trade-economic depart-ments of the Czzech foreign branches and offices of Czech Trade aand the CzechInvest. Beyond this

goal, I am intensively preparing the Export Stra-tegy for 2011-2016, which I will submit to the Government by the end of this year.

The budget proposal for 2011 is counting on the fact that the public finance deficit can not exceed 4.6 percent of the GDP. How does this influence your department? Where are you going to make the biggest cuts?

The state budget does not have its definitiveform so far, yet the Ministry of Industry and Trade is going to make the biggest cuts in the area of operational costs, wages and subsidies. This isapart from the science and research expendi-tures. I see the biggest problem as the lack of means aimed at co-financing the EU structuralfunds; the budget cuts, with regard to covering damages after mining activities; and the signifi-cant decrease of subsidies aimed at the opera-tion of technological centres and centres of stra-tegic services.

In this respect, could those steps toward public finance reform significantly weaken economic growth?

The first phase of public finance stabilization,i.e. the creation of a stringent budget for the year 2011, could cause a weakening of domestic de-mand, which could constitute a slowdown of theGDP by 0.5 to 0.7 percent in 2011. Nonetheless,if we manage to get the following years deficitsunder control, thanks to the stringent budget for 2011, it would mean a long-term contribution, because trust in the Czech economy would in-crease as well. Additionally, financing in generalwould become cheaper, and investment assetswould increase. This would subsequently cause an acceleration of economic growth. In other words, if we sacrifice short-term consumer goals for the benefit of long-term stability, wecan reach a much higher economic growth rate in the future.

By Pavlna Holancov

esk peklad naleznete v elektronick verzi magaznu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

DEFENDING SPEAKERPemysl Sobotka (19944) graduated from the Medical School of Charles University and began his medical career as a surgeon in LiberecHospital. After two yeears he decided on rentgenology. Since 1991 he worked as the head physician of the X-ray ward of Liberec Hospital. Pemysl Sobotka is a senatorr for the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) representing the Liberec constituency. He was elected to the rst Senate in 1996and got re-elected twwice in 1998 and 2004. Since 2004 he has served as the Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic,and he is thus consttitutionaly second in line after the President. In Autumn he is going to run for a third re-election. Sport has always been Mr. Sobotkas main leeisure activity. Before he entered public life he competed professionally in volleyball and enjoyed many mountain hikes.

You were the founding member of the Civic Forum after the revolution in the Liberec region. In 1991 you were among the founders of the Civic Democrats. You were elected as a member of the 1st Senate of the indepen-dent Czech Republic in 1996... Has it been your destiny to be a founder? Do you think you possess a certain disposition, or a gift to happen to be at the beginning of things?

The question here wwas never about being thefirst anywhere, but it wwas rather about not miss-ing any opportnity thaat my circumstances (anddevelopment of societyy) enabled. This means thepossibility to participatte as a free man and citizen in the dismanteling of the communist regime. Later, it was the opportunity to get involved with forming a democratic coonservative political party,and even later in creating a constitutional safetypin in the form of thee Upper Chamber of the Parliament. True, I havee the soul of a sportsman,however, in those cases it was never about being first. It was the good feeling of being aroundwhen something good and meaningful was hap-pening that drove me innto the centre of things.

Do you know how many of you who were elected in the first election in 1996 are still serving in the House?

Sure, my memory caan easily look that far. We are eight Sen. Ji LLika, Sen. Pavel Eybert,Sen. Ji Pospil, Sen. Petr Pithart, Sen. Milantch, Sen. Vclav Jehhlika, Sen. Alena Pale-kov and me.

Are those veteran senators, who were for-ming the institution 14 years ago, in any way different to the newcomers who were succesful in the election two, or four years ago?

Every senator is an incommutable personality,indeed. But they are aalso politicians and repre-sentatives of their political parties. The fortune of the Senate is exxcept for some neglibible exceptions that peopple elected there excercise a much higher politicaal culture than is standardof political life in this coountry. It has always beenso. I believe and wishh this remains so, also inthe upcoming years.

Due to the fact that you ran the first time in a two-year county, you have been re-elected already twice. Nonetheless, a third of the se-nators changes every two years. In the atmos-phere within the walls of the Senate, do you talk about changes with the newcomers? Do you remember specifically any of the Senates whose atmophere was somehow different?

Certainly it does change, athough it changesrather slightly. We had quarrels sometimeseven very harsh ones over various topics. However, they were always conducted in a fair and modest air. I reckon that one of the reasons for this has been the prevailing centre-right character of the House, and the fact that the government as well as opposition senators havenever drawn any inspiration from the House of Deputies standards.

You have been active in public life during all of our 20 free years. You began at the municipal level; the last 14 years you spentin top political positions as a senator. It seems as if you have never wanted any executive position...

This is always a question of a particular situa-tion. Although, I have never thought about it thisway. I have always needed to know that the work I was doing in local politics, in the Senate, or in politics in general is meaningful and that it can produce positive outcomes. This feeling still prevails, so I have never had the need tolook for a change or for different ways of politi-cal involvement.

How is it with your political ambitions? Constitutionaly you are number two in the country. Is this a fullfilment of a certain ambition?

A good politician should have certain princi-pals, aims, and visions. Their ambition ought tobe to fullfil those. But the words political ambi-tions carries for me a connotation of egoism. Politicians that come to my mind when I hear those words do not belong among those who I recognize as good politicians.

Can a good politician then be with no clear ambitions? Isnt it a neccessity for success in politics?

Any politician should serve their country and its citizens. That should be the ultimate ambitionof anyone involved in politics. Everyone of us canmanage just one or two political roles. Someonecan be a good mayor and a good senator, how-ever they would not perform good as ministersfor instance. On the other hand, you can get a decent minister who would never do a great job in local politics.

You are about to enter the fourth campaign of yours. Does campaigning in the constitu-ency become a routine after time?

Certainly it does not. The atmosphere in everycountry changes, as it does in a countrys small-est regions. You have to react to different thingsevery time. A considerable part of my constitu-ency was severely hit by the August floods, and dealing with the consequences of the disaster currently worries people more than any politics.

You are about to fight on two battlefields in the Autumn elections. You are defending your seat in your constituency, and you will attempt to maintain the position of the strongest fraction in the House, and thus the right of appointing the Speaker. No matter how well you will perform in your constituency, it might be not enough to keep your position of Speaker...

That is the situation and political reality. Thenumbers speak clearly. Our party is defending seats in 18 constituencies; the left none. We can do nothing other than to fight and believein the voters decision. I cannot speak on behalf of anybody, but the possible success or loss have to be accepted as something inherentlybelonging to life as such, and not only to sport or politics. However, as a politician and a sports-man, I want to win in those elections.

By Filip Hubek


Leaders Magazine V/201012

A talk with Pemysl Sobotka, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

interviewPemysl Sobotka, Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

Photo: Mr. Sobotka s archive

Special Honorary Guests of this evening were MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Parliament of the CR and Ing. Eduard Janota, Member of the Supervisory Board, EZ and Member of NERV, former Minister of Finance, Jaroslav Ml, President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic and H.E. Peter Bro, Ambasador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic. This time also joined us our Goodwill Ambassadors, Mrs. ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skating and a Sport Legend and Vincent J. Derudder, Secretary General, The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries.

14

From left: MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Parliament of the CR and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

4th Leaders Magazine ADVISORY BOARD DINNER

The positive reputation of Leaders Magazine continues to grow, however we realize that we must maintain to improve and learn, particularly during these times of dynamic change.

That is why we have decided to set up an Advisory Board for the magazine. I am convinced that creating a platform of

high profile individuals will be an excellent opportunity for the magazine to acquire new ideas and define new directions

of future development. Benke Aikell, Your Publisher

From left: Ing. Ji Devt, Co-owner, Tornado Lou s.r.o., Ing. Vladimra Vclav-kov, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine, Ing. Peter Jusko, MBA, Executive Vice President, Ground Operations, Czech Airlines and Partner, London Market and PhDr. MgA. Miro Smolk, Owner, Miro Gallery

networking/gourmet event at Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa

There are only few projects started in the Czech Republic by foreigners which I consider as useful to this country as Leaders Magazine. The magazine has brought to the Czech Republic the completely new concept of making important people the decision makers be they Czech or foreigners visible and worthy of positive admiration. As you might know this is something not very common and perhaps even not very natural in the Czech Republic. It is therefore all the more of an achievement to start and successfully develop a project such as Leaders Magazine. I understand fully the intention of Benke Aikell, the magazines founder and editor-in-chief, to progress further with Leaders Magazine, and for this purpose to form a team of experienced Czech citizens of different backgrounds to create a consulting body which would bring this project to an even higher level. Ing. Karel Muzik, CSc., President of Comenius

networking/gourmet event

Ing. Ivan Piln, President, Tuesday Business Network and Ing. Zdeka Indruchov, Executive Director, Asso-ciation of Czech Insurance Brokers

From left: Ing. Eduard Janota, Member of the Supervi-sory Board, EZ and Member of NERV, former Minister of Finance and H.E. Peter Bro, Ambassador Extraordi-nary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic

From left: JUDr. Dagmar Raupachov, Advocate, Ing. Pavel tefka MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra, Ing. Ivan Piln, President, Tues-day Business Network with his wife and Ing. Karel Muzik CSc., President, Comenius

From left: Joseph Balaz, President, Bohemian National Hall in New York, ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skating and a Sport Legend and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Ing. Jaroslav Ml, MBA, President, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Par-liament of the CR, Ing. Vladimra Vclavkov, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine, Mgr. Marta Gellov, Secretary General, AFIZ and Otto Jelnek, Member of the Board, OKD

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

Ing. Zdeka Indruchov, Executive Director, Association of Czech Insurance Brokers and PhDr. MgA. Miro Smolk, Owner, Miro Gallery


From left: Ing. arch. Iva Drebitko, President, TRIGA, Patrons of Art, ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skating and a Sport Legend, Otto Jelnek, Member of the Board, OKD, Ing. Peter Formnek, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the CR and Prof. Ing. Ji Frek, CSc. First Deputy Mayor, City of Prague 6

From left: Mirko Lachman, Senior Advisor, Leaders Magazine and H.E. Peter Bro, Ambassador Extraordi-nary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic

MUDr. Richard Sequens, PhD., Head of Surgical Gastroen-terology Center, Nemocnice Milosrdnch sester sv. Karla Boromejskho v Praze and former Senator with his wife

From left: Ing. Jaroslav Kubita, Secretary, Lions Club Eagle and former Chief Pub-lic Officer, Telefnica O2, Ing. Jan Lajka, Vice-rector for development of the College and Air Transport Services, Vysok kola obchodn v Praze, o.p.s., MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Parliament of the CR and JUDr. Josef estk, Assistent Professor, Vysok kola obchodn v Praze, o.p.s.

Ing. Peter Formnek, President, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the CR and Zdeka Indruchov, Executive Director, Association of Czech Insurance Brokers

From left: Michal Sedlek, Financial Director, Domi-nanta, Petr Kadevek, Director, London Market and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Vincent J. Derudder, Secretary General, The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Finan-cial Intermediaries, Mgr. Marta Gellov, Secretary General, AFIZ and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Ing. Ji Kohoutek, Vice President and Executive Director, ATOK and Ing. Petr Kubernt, Director, Pekos, s.r.o.

Ing. Petr Kubernt, Director, Pekos, s.r.o. and Ing. Vladimra Vclavkov, Marketing and Editorial Director, Leaders Magazine

Joseph Balaz, President, Bohemian National Hall

Ing. Lucie Pilipov, Partner, Via Perfecta, s.r.o. and Prof. Ing. Kamil Janek, CSc., CNB Bank Board Member and Chief Executive Director

From left: JUDr. Petr Vyroubal, Partner, Law Firm Vyroubal Krajhanzl kolout with his partner Petra Zmekalov and Joseph Drebitko, CEO, D&COMM


From left: Ing. Karel Muzik CSc., President, Comenius, ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skating and a Sport Legend, Otto Jelnek, Member of the Board, OKD and Joseph Balaz, President, Bohemian National Hall in New York

From left: MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Parliament of the CR and Prof. Dr.h.c. JUDr. Jan K, Csc., Advocate, K a Blina, s.r.o.

From left: Ing. Pavel tefka, MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra, JUDr. Dagmar Raupachov, Advocate and Ing. Josef Kreuter, CSc., former Czech Ambassador to the EU

From left: PhDr. MgA. Miro Smolk, Owner, Miro Gallery and Ing. Pavel tefka, MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra


Mgr. Marta Gellov, Secretary General, AFIZ and Ing. Eduard Janota, former Minister of Finance, Member of the Supervisory Board, EZ and Member of NERV

From left: ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Cham-pion in figure skating and a Sport Legend and Ing. Lucie Pilipov, Partner, Via Perfecta, s.r.o.

From left: Ing. Ji Maceka, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, esk pota a.s., Zoa Vyoralov, Executive Director, Keren Kayemeth le Israel, Jewish National Fund in Czech Re-public, Ms. Adla Syberov, President, Edith Stein Foundation and PhDr. Albn Sybera, CEO, Sybera Enterprises spol. s.r.o.

From left: good friends Ing. Karel Muzik CSc., President, Comenius and Benke Aikell, your Publisher

From left: Prof. Ing. Ji Frek, CSc., First Deputy Mayor, City of Prague 6, Ing. Peter Formnek, President, Cana-dian Chamber of Commerce in the CR, MUDr. Pemysl Sobotka, Chairman of the Senate, Parliament of the CR and Otto Jelnek, Member of the Board, OKD

Ing. Pavel tefka, MSc, 4-star General (ret.), Chief of Defence and Special Programs, Tatra and Vra Rakov, Director, DISEMO Consulting s.r.o.

From left: Ing. Karel Muzik CSc., President, Comenius, ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skating and a Sport Legend, Joseph Balaz, President, Bohemian National Hall and Ivo Broke, Director of the Secretariat of the Chairman of the Senat

Benke Aikell, your Publisher and ja Vrzov, legendary Czech World Champion in figure skat-ing and a Sport Legend

According to some catastrophic or, if you want, optimistic prognoses, computers will catch upto or surpass human intelligence within the next twenty years. They have already reached thisgoal regarding speed and reliability. They count faster, they are not subject to emotions (suchas a morning quarrel with a mother-in-law), and the after effects of yesterdays celebration willcertainly not affect their efficiency.

Computations, processes and algorithms per-formed by the left hemisphere of the humanbrain do not have a chance against these ma-chines. The previous chess masters declaration that there is no computer able to defeat him has now begun to fade, as today, any world champion hahass toto aadmdmitit tthahatt itit iiss alalmomostst iimpmposossisiblblee toto wwinin at least one game against a chess computer. Just one mistake and the game is finished the computer will certainly not make the same mis-take, and will cause a loss of concentration.

In todays world, computers can communi-cate amongst themselves without any problems;they compare orders with stocks, send confir-mations to the opposite colleague, organize logistics and issue invoices. Processes within an industry are managed by computers, and when a human does not have time to updatethem, they inform a boss via text message. Theuse of machines for these purposes is even cheaper than the cheapest Asian work force.They can register and analyze the movement of eyes in front of a monitor, and they can promptly offer you your favorite products. Communica-tion amongst computers is strictly purpose-built; they do not send emotional e-mails amongst each other, and they do not stand behind their friends. Corruption in computersmust be programmed by a human computersrespect the rules of the game and their pre-ferences are set.

The main difference between humans and computers is the activities executed by our right brain hemisphere. This concerns synthesis, not only analysis that respects context, creativity,innovations or intuition. These are not sequen-tial and linear processes, but non-linear, randomand intuitive ones. The situation here is slightly different. To illustrate this, it is enough to seehow even the best search engines may fail with contextual searching. Linguistics is managedby language, but the advantage is on our sidewhen speaking of the context distinction. Today I am able to compare more finger-prints, but

to search somebody by a photo taken during sunset by the sea is an unsolvable task.

Machines can learn, and they do not repeat the same mistakes, but show me a computer that has invented something. Accidental incidents unhinge them, and lead them down a blind alley.It is certainly not possible for a computer to im-provise. It seems that humans are still securein this sense, at least for some period of time.

Neither a virtual avatars fashion, nor a robotsinvitation to the official entourage of a Japanese

ambassador can surpass us for now. To convert from the informational age to the conceptual one is obviously a human activity, which must be exe-cuted by left the hemisphere. And so: Lets Go!

By Ivan Piln President of Tuesday Business Network

Former Chairman of Czech Telecom

Leaders Magazine V/VV 2// 010 19



IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERS MAGAZINE

CAN COMPUTERS COMMUNICATE WITHOUT US?

interview

Leo Heger, Minister of Health of the Czech Republic


A talk with Leo Heger, Minister of Health of the Czech Republic

Health Care with Social FaceFrom 1972, doc. MUDr. Leo Heger, CSc. worked at the Radiology Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Hradec Krlov. In 1991 he became Head of the Clinic of Radiology, University Hospital, Hradec Krlov, and in 1993 he was also Deputy for Preventive Health Care. Between 1996 2009 he worked as Director of the University Hospital of HradecKrlov. He resigned from this post in 2009 upon his own request. Before 2009, when he joined TOP 09 Party, he had never been a member of a political party. From 2002 he was involved in regional politics as a member of the City Council of Hradec Krlov. Leo Heger was appointed the Minister of Health of the Czech Republic in 2010.


Can we say that the Czech Republic has already gone away from centrally planned health care, to a regulated market system?

We made the first step from centrally planned health care via the resolute transformation in 1992. A system of general health insurance was founded at that time. It was followed by a great reform of the pro-viders network in the form of privatization. The net-work of ambulatory fields is fully independent at pre-sent. The fact is that the real insurance system has never been entirely completed in the Czech Republic. The insurance companies still have tied hands be-cause of regulatory measures which restrict them in competition and behaviour in general. As long as thisis not changed, the abovementioned regulation is stillunstable Actually all reform efforts with the excep-unstable. Actually all reform efforts, with the exception of the reform of the then minister David Rath,

ptried to decentralize the competencies of insurance companies. Nonetheless, good quality and working health care is not provided merely by system organiza-tion, but also by the ability to use set up mechanisms. It was the main problem of our socialistic centrally planned health care system that the establishment did not know how to manage. The current governmen-tal team will, however, rather loosen the centre control.

According to you, why do you think health care reform was not enforced during 20062008? From what do we need to learn mostly?

I suppose it was pushed ahead too quickly. There is still a fairly central control, and with some of the popopupulation slighg tly y left-central minded. A great part of population is reluctant to take over responsibilityof their health. People simply expect that the statewill help them. Any trend towards the privatizationof health care and towards a greater emphasis onpeoples responsibility for their health arouses a cer-tain aversion. The then Ministry of Health underesti-mated this aversion while enforcing health care re-form. Additionally, it took no steps to moderate it. Sometimes, one needs to act quickly, but a certainlevel of consideration and social attitude have to beinvolved as well.

What was the biggest problem?I am chiefly speaking of the privatization of big

teaching hospitals, which were supposed to betransferred to university hospitals. Moreover, on that occasion, they were supposed to become joint stock companies. Discussion on the privatization of

hospitals had been running in the Czech Republic for years, nonetheless, the calling for their privatizationatat tthahatt titimeme ee ovokekedd a ggreatt suspiiciion fof bbad inten-tions and bad property manipulation. I do not believe that the reform was directed this way, yet the public opinion unfortunately did so and we need to take this into account.

Talking about the social shape of reform, what steps are you going to enforce?

I would like to emphasize that the key measure of a quality health care system is not the implementation of regulatory payments. It is important to make thewhole system more effective. There are necessary steps on the part of doctors, hospitals and providers in general, much like on the side of the patients. The latter ones must regard their health carefully and mustlatter ones must regard their health carefully, and must regard the whole health care system economically as

y g ywell. They have to acknowledge that health care is very expensive and they can not immediately visit the top specialist. On the other hand, the regulatory payment should be differentiated, and it should be based on logic. Thus, patients would understand it and accept what the health care system requires of them.

Do you take into account that pensioners, children and the socially underprivileged will be withdrawn from the regulatory payment?

Some social groups have already been mitigated.Some groups, for instance newborns, can be easily withdrawn from the regulatory payment completely.Nonetheless, once we start to change the given sys-tem, it must be very well calculated. Additionally, thesystem must be able to identify the so ici lallly u dnder-privileged as well. This is the most complicated thing. About 50 percent of citizens receive some social benefit in the Czech Republic. Thus, it is necessary to divide it more simply so that everybody knows what ones category is and how much one has to pay a doctor.

Do you want to launch health care of standard and above standard quality?

We have to define the area of basic medicine and the area related to marginal medicine. The core me-dicine covers about ninety percent of all operations. It actually regards those pr bobllems whihi hch can tthhreatetennthe patients life or heavily threaten the patients health. One can not distinguish this only according to cheap or expen isive operatition lal costts. EEvereryoyonene nneeeedsds to pay some costs, yet we must set up a social ceiling

in a proper way so that anyone who needs this kind of care would really get it. Otherwise, the procedurewould be immediately declared unconstitutional. Com-pared to nowadays, the new system could launch above standard financing in the area of materials as well. The classic standard would be covered by insu-rance companies. On top of that, it would consist of both the performed work and the standard material. Thus, the patient could choose a high-quality materialwithin the above standard category. It would typically concern e.g. the crystalline lenses or light plaster casts; a great discussion was always running over hipjoints. There is one more area very suitable for addi-tional payments or commercial insurance the areaof subsequent care and rehabilitation.

What cases does it concern most often?It concerns situations after injuries or difficult

p p yoperations. The patient is usually rehabilitated andthe rehabilitation itself might be provided, for in-stance, for up to four weeks. Yet, sometimes evenshorter rehabilitation would be sufficient. Yet, if thepatient insists on the rehabilitation procedures, or if he wants to go to a health resort with rehabilitation, he will be required to pay it by himself. Another area one might use the commercial insurance in could be hospices and various nursing homes, which could get additional payment from families. Thus, the families could get much better service there as well.

In conclusion, could you mention in what time frame you want to submit the health care reform?

I do not like talking about the health care reform aswe wouldld aaboboutut tthehe eelelectctioionn prprogograrammmmee. II ddoo nonott think we have steps A,B,C, laid out here, and that once these steps are completed, everything becomesrosy idyll. The majority of systemic changes must take place in thousands of tiny short steps. Somesteps are solvable immediately; some are not solva-ble at all, and some after some time, once the op-portunity arises. It is a patient and fiddling work. I imagine the health care reform this way. In addition, once I leave the Ministry of Health, I would like to see some changes become visible, and especially that things smooth down.

By Pavlna Holancov

e ksk p keklladd nallezn tete v lel kekttroniickk vvererzizi magaznu na www.leadersmagazine.cz

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interview

Ji Besser, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

Photo: Mr. Besser s archive

MUDr. Ji Besser (1957) graduated from the Faculty of General Medicine at Charles

University in Prague in the dentistry department in 1981. Afterwards, he succes-

sfully completed his postgraduate studies in the eld of dentistry in 1985. He worked as a dentist and built a private dentistry practice

in 1992. In November 1994 he was rst elected mayor of his hometown of Beroun, and

he was in this position until 2010. From 2000 to 2008, together with former

national hockey team member Leo Gudas, he owned a family company, AD PUK, s.r.o. As a non-party candidate of the TOP 09,

he was successfully elected the MP of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in June

2010. Ji Besser was appointed the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic in 2010.

A tallk with Ji Besser, Minister of Cullture of the Czech Repubblic

Honesty and Authentic

LEADERSHIP


How did the budgetary cuts manifest within your division? What areas is it going to be reflected in most?

Budgetary cuts expressed themmselves here as they did elsewhere. The framework, staated by the Minnistry of Finance for the year 2011, speeaks of lower exxpen-ditures by about 10 %. It meanns that in pracctice,chiefly the staff of officials of thee Ministry of Cuulture(MK) itself needs to cut back, as does the allowance organization founded by the MK.. I do not thinkk it is a big problem, for I have a feeliing that moneyy has been rather wasted within these areas so far. Onn the other hand, it should not touch upon the so-called living culture and the care of historical monumentts.

You have prepared a new organizational structure for the MK. What do you largely expect from it?

I expect anyone who would likke to have a loook at MK s new structure to see who is responsible for wwhat. Each deputy is in charge of a partticular area which is visible at first sight. There are no longer any deputiesof sections A,B,C, etc. As long ass you want to eeffec-tively manage any bigger structuree, you need to kknow who is responsible for a particular area. Otherrwiseit is, using your reference, an unnmanageable mmess. However, it seems it was very suittable for many oof mypredecessors, and perhaps for a vvariety of officials.

Why did you cancel the original selection procedure of the post of the Head of the National Gallery in Prague (NG)? What do you think the new selection procedure brings?

The selection procedure wass purely organnizedsince the very beginning. The cleaar submission oof theNG founder, i.e. the MK, was misssing, which shhouldhave clearly expressed what wass expected fromm thenew NG management. Furthermoore, the whole ccom-petition was doomed from the sttart, because oof the process of the selection proceddure itself, because of secrets, because of the additional appointmment of the selective commission memmbers, and because of the closed ballot including thee declaration non-declaration of the results. By thee way, the selecctionprocedure was set up so that thhe new head of theNG accedes in the first half of thhe year 2011. TThere has not been much written abouut that, yet it is writ-ten in the competition setting in black and wwhite. Therefore, the solution of the cuurrent managemment, to announce a new competition and to appoint the new head of the NG by June, 66 2011, in no way

enddangers the terms stated by our predecessors.Thee essential difference may lie in that the MK is goiing to cooperate with experts from all areas of cul-ture with erudition towards the NG. They will prepare a cclear competition setting. All steps will proceed commpletely publicly, since the very beginning, includ-ingg the selection commission voting procedure.

What reforms of your division do you find cru-cial? What legislative changes are you preparing in this context?

TThese reforms are definitely the new Act on thestaate monument fund, and the new Authors Act.Thee latter one, by the way, has already drawn a very neggative reaction from the public, yet absolutely neeedlessly. A new draft proposal has come out, thoough it is one with which even the new divisionmaanagement has nothing in common. Based on thiss, not even a semi-product launched a campaignthaat deals with issues that we played into every au-thoor organizations hands. It is nonsense. Every law hass certain stages. Here we are talking about stageonee, yet the final stage might be stage fifteen, and it maay still be indistinguishable from the first stage. Thuus, primary proposals are distributed to all parties in oorder to receive comments and subsequent revi-sions. Additionally, if we at the Ministry of Culturesennt the draft proposal to the Ministry of Education,it wwas not to show our colleagues what to expect, but in oorder to receive constructive criticism. This is onethinng. Under my management there will always bea real public discussion of all essential things. The-refoore, no one has to worry that anyone would cook anyything in secret, or that people would make pay-offs for another so-called intellectual property.

Could you also mention what stage the already abovementioned Act on state monument care is in?

II have already talked about this. It is one of my pri-oritties. I am happy that I have appointed PhDr. Anna Maatoukov as my deputy, a great expert in this field. Thee new Act has been worked out very hard, but I had bettter not mention the exact terms. This is a little bit moore difficult, as it has been prepared in cooperation witth the Ministry of Regional Development, which is working on the new Building Act as well. These things aree to a certain extent interconnected and require speecific coordination. Obviously, it requires a time-connsuming, yet greater efficiency.

How do you want to deal with the reconcilia-tion of the state and the Church and the church associations? What model of the state-church property settlement are you preparing?

It is evident that the state finally needs too take meassures regarding this very sensitive issue. It hasbeenn very bad for all interested parties that the set-tlement has not been completed yet. It is also evvident that we need to prepare a new agreement. In thissensse, new talks have already started with FFather Archbishop Duka. I would also like to continuee withthe ttalks within the framework of the EcumeenicalCounncil of Churches in the Czech Republic. Howwever, this iis unambiguously the most complicated tassk the Minisstry of Culture is facing, and one of the most dif-ficultt the whole Government is facing as well. Ass long as wwe manage to solve it during the followingg four yearss, we will be very satisfied.

In this context, the Czech Republic is one of the last post-communist countries which had not adjusted its relations with the Vatican by contract. Are you going to initiate any change in this affair?

Thhis is obviously closely linked with the preeviousquesstion. Yet, how do you want to adjust relaationswith the Vatican, if we have not settled relaationswith the Church in our own country? In my oppinion,the aagreement with the Vatican is relevant exacctly at the mmoment when the ink of the agreement witth our Churrch representatives runs dry. Such an agreeement would thus significantly enlarge the active paarty inthis aaffair, which is already such a big group. WWe can not aafford it.

Also the Act on cinematography is waiting for approval. Is it possible to approve it in the same form as it was prepared by Mirek Topolnek s Government?

I aam afraid it is not quite possible. This is due to the pure fact that the Mirek Topolneks Government isnot tthe same as the Government of Petr Neas. Weare aan administration with a completely different sup-port ffrom the Chamber of Deputies. Therefore, wee must prepare the law much more carefully, so that wwe donot hhave to change it again after just a few monthhs.

By Pavlna Holancoov

esk peklad naleznete v elektronick verzi magaznu na www.leadersmagaziine.cz

A talk with Pavel Drobil, Minister of Environment of the Czech Republic

Leaders Magazine V/201024


NUCLEAR ENERGY is the Most Ecologic One

Mgr. Pavel Drobil (1971) in 1995 successfully completed his studies

at the Law Faculty of Masaryk University in Brno. From 1998,

after finishing his law exams, he worked as a lawyer focusing on business law. In 2000 he joined

ODS. Two years later he became a member of the city council of the city of Bohumn. From

2004 to 2008 he was a member of the representatives and council of the Moravian-Silesian region,

where he served as a deputy to the regional governor for the

area of economic development and European structures.

In 2008 he was re-elected to the regional council. Since 2004 he

has been the chairman of the ODS organization in Karvin and from 2006 has also been

a member of the ODS Executive Council. In 2009 he became the

ODS election leader for elections to the Chamber of Deputies

in the Moravian-Silesian region. He was elected as an MP

in 2010. Pavel Drobil was appo-inted the Minister of Envi-

ronment in 2010.



Mr. Minister, what are your resort priorities?My first priority is to improve the quality of air.

ThThee momostst ccrurucicialal iissssueue iiss ththee reregugulalatitionon ooff aiairr popoll-lution sources and mainly in the most burdened areas. Thus, we will support the completion of regional and local regulatory systems so that one can select particular municipalities and par-ticular sources. The second important priority is the protection of nature. I want to open the na-tional parks more for people. National parks pro-tect the most precious parts of local nature all over Europe. They have scientific and educatio-nal significance as well. Additionally, they shouldserve the publics needs at the same time.

Can you clarify this?The national parks are a welcomed opportunity

for municipalities and regions to increase their attractiveness. This will be thanks to a tourismwhich is sparing to nature, as well as to the localhistory and regional specialities. If the nationalparks create an opportunity for local citizens and small entrepreneurs, they will have a good moti-vation to act tactfully toward their unique naturallandscapes. The third priority is closely intercon-nected with another topic which the Ministry of Environment is intensively dealing with. It con-cerns a solution on how to improve the retentive ability of scenery. We have to build systems of flood control which are suitable for any particular region. Repeating floods show that we need to take this danger into account. Primarily, we haveto find a solution on how to prevent it Apart fromto find a solution on how to prevent it. Apart from the improvement and/or preservation of prog-nosis services and the synergy of emergency nosis services and the synergy of emergencysystems, it is necessary to implement enduring measures in scenery. If water is not retained bythe land itself, the fill slopes are not going to bevery helpful either. The fourth priority concerns development of the so-called green economy.

What exactly does it regard?The Ministry of Environment is going to pursue

the simplification and reduction of excessive administration requirements of businesses. The analysis of the Ministry of Environment from 2008 shows that only 3 percent out of an ade-quate sample of almost 9 000 businesses pro-duced 80 percent of the total pollution. Thus, a widespread regulation of smaller and middldlesized businesses appears to be entirely ineffec-tive. These actors play an insignificant role withregard to environmental pollution.

Can you specify the simplification tools which you want to promote?

We have the standard methodology, the Re-gulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) at our dispo-sal. It is an evaluation of regulation impacts.Thanks to Topolnek s Government, the CzechRepublic belongs among the European leaders concerning useless bureaucracy and regula-tions. I will carry on the same steps as did the Minister of Trade and Industry, Martin man (ODS), in the previous Government. On top of ththatat, II hahaveve ccomomplpleteteded tthehe aananalylysisiss ofof mmeaeasusureress

and the Ministry of Environment Agenda. First of all, I will cancel the double and triple obligations. ThThen, II iwillll chhe kck the efficiency and relevance of the rest. Where it is possible, we will swap regula-tion for self-regulation. This concerns largely the small and middle sized businesses which, as I already mentioned, make up for an insignificant percentage of pollution. The bureaucracy need-lessly applies a heavy load to both the businesses and to the state budget. Yet, it does not bring any effective results for the environment. We want to focus on big polluters, and it is highly possible that we will evaluate them in much stricter way.

Among your main priorities is to free the Ministry of Environment of excessive ideology. In what ways were the activities of your predecessors subjected to ideology the most?

If a minissteterr isis eengngagageded ppririmamaririlyly iinn aa ststrurugggglele for global climate protection, and fails to improveair quality breathed by the citizens at home, then he follows an ideology rather than commonsense. The same applies for nuclear energetics. I understand that for the Green Party, which was established as a movement to fight nuclear en-ergy, it is difficult to accept rational arguments at the moment. Yet, until they accept that nuclear energy is the most ecological energy to cover our consumption, although it does not meet the needs with regard to climate protection, it is legitimate to talk about the danger of ideology. Finally, but not least of all, the Ministry of Environment behaved unfriendly and uselesslyEnvironment behaved unfriendly, and uselessly, towards businesses under the direction of theGreen Party. Many businessmen rightly took the Green Party Many businessmen rightly took thebureaucracy and regulations as bullying. The rules and new requirements were really literally liquidating for many of them. One can feel the echo of a certain unfortunate ideology in this process.

Under Czech conditions, what is the future for renewable resources of energy?

We will not turn a blind eye to air pollution in any case, but we will not support any renewableresources either, only those which are efficient. Unfortunately, the Czech potential for renewable resources is not very distinct. Regarding water power, we are basically on the margin of reason-

bablle opporttu initities. AlAlsoso, opoppoportrtununititieiess foforr wiwindnd-power installations are rather small. Moreover,our citizens are in danger of an ecological bur-den in our heavily populated territory. We havea higher number than we need of photovoltaic power plants, thanks to the very high redemption price set up by the SSDs Government. The Energy Regulatory Office is preparing a rapid re-duction of the redemption price of electric energy, which also decreases the attractiveness for po-tential investors. The others are biomass, biogas and geothermal energy, which we would like tosupport reasonably. In connection with renewa-ble energy support, I find it very important tosearch for energy savings. I mean energy which thanks to modern technologgies, such as house

heat cladding or more economic cars, does not have to be produced at all. This is the most ppuresource of energy.

In this context, do you consider the EU plans aimed at emissions reduction too ambitious?

Yes. It is true that the EU pledged to decreasethe emission of greenhouse gas by 30 percent by 2020, under the condition that other indus-trial countries display a greater effort as well.However, the EU has not done so yet because Italy, Denmark, Poland, Hungary and Austria spoke out against the commitment adoption.According to these countries, the cut by 20 per-cent is just enough. We are afraid of the loss of competitiveness for Czech businesses, chieflywhen compared with Asian competition. We areafraid that Czech companies, which almost meet ththee dedecrcreaeasese bbyy 3030 pperercecentnt aatt ththee momomeme tnt,would be hit by this rapid plan very painfully. We belong to a group of countries with a great deal of industry, and therefore our businesseswould have to meet reduction requirements even up to 40.5 percent. Representatives of theEuropean and Czech industrialists radically opposed it. We want to lead serious talks on this issue with the EU. I am not disputing the needto adjust Czech industry to modern trends, or the need for structural changes and the imple-mentation of saving technologies. On the con-trary. We really need to stand the speed anddepth of these changes.

What are the biggest risks interconnected with the main focus on nuclear energy?

I am an advocate of nuclear energy, and exactlyI am an advocate of nuclear energy and exactlybecause I am the Minister of the Environment. It is basically a zero-emission technology. We can not meet the ambitious European targets aimedfor emissions reduction requirements without nuclear energy, and even Brussels is realizing this. Therefore, nuclear energy is not a taboowithin the EU any more. The biggest risk is obvi-ously human error. It is, however, necessary toemphasize that there is a disordered totalitariansystem lying behind the failure of Chernobyl, and not one but several unbelievable and fatal mis-takes. Nothing like that happened elsewhere,and though it was a huge tragedy, nuclear energy isis bbyy fafarr ththee sasafefestst wwayay ooff acacququiririningg enenerergygy.. MuMuchch more people die in mines by accidents. You might want to hear that the biggest risk is made by nu-clear waste. Yet, this is a technically solvablequestion. Moreover, we need to bear in mind that it concerns mere tonnes of waste, not million of tonnes of waste, as in the case of a coal-firedpower station.

By Pavlna Holancov

more photos and electronic version available on www.leadersmagazine.cz

diplomatic event

On the days of 30 August 3 September 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held regular meetings of heads of diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic abroad. Representatives of the Czech diplomacy and invited guests discussed a wide range of issues connected to union, security and business-economic issues. The ambassadors were, as the tradition wants, welcomed by the President of the Czech Republic, Vclav Klaus. The ambassadors then had the opportunity to greet and discuss with the Senator and the Senators at a meeting in the Senate.

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Prague Leaders Magazine Issue 05/2010