Where Europe’s Heart Meets Its Brightest Future
On 12 and 13 March, Commissioner Piotr Serafin travelled to Czechia as negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) advance between Member States and the European Parliament. In this process, the European Commission acts as an honest broker, working to facilitate dialogue and support the best possible agreement for European citizens and beyond.
The visit combined high-level political meetings, stakeholder engagement, and a project visit highlighting cutting-edge European scientific infrastructure. Together, these stops illustrate how the Commission connects policy, people, and projects on the ground, ensuring that EU funding not only reflects shared priorities but also delivers tangible results, fosters innovation, and strengthens cohesion across Europe.
Stop 1 – Meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (12 March)
At the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, Commissioner Serafin met Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
Their exchange focused on how the next EU Budget can strike the right balance between supporting strategic investments and maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to emerging challenges. They also addressed Czechia’s key priorities, including healthcare, housing, energy prices, social spending, infrastructure, agriculture, and cohesion.
For the Commission, such high-level political discussions are essential to understand Member States’ priorities and build the trust needed to advance negotiations.
Stop 2 – Debate on the Next MFF with Stakeholders (12 March)
At the European Commission Representation in Prague, the Commissioner engaged with around 30 key economic stakeholders, including business organisations, public administrations, academia and think tanks in a forward-looking debate on the next MFF.
The discussion focused on the main innovations in the proposed EU Budget, including increased flexibility, new own resources, National and Regional Partnership Plans, and the European Competitiveness Fund.
Direct engagement with stakeholders is a cornerstone of the Commission’s approach. It ensures transparency, fosters a shared understanding of policy choices, and helps align the EU budget with real economic and social needs. For the Commissioner, this exchange provides valuable insights and first-hand feedback that inform negotiations and strengthen the legitimacy of the Commission’s proposals.
Stop 3 – EU Investment in Scientific Excellence (12 March)
The programme continued with a visit to the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) ERIC Beamlines facility in Dolní Břežany, co-financed by Horizon Europe and supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
ELI ERIC is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium bringing together Member States to develop and operate world-class laser research facilities. By providing open access to researchers from across Europe and beyond, it enables cutting-edge experiments, supports the development of new materials, and drives innovation with significant societal impact.
During the visit, Commissioner Serafin saw how sustained European and national investment over two decades has transformed ELI from concept to a fully operational, globally competitive research infrastructure.
This stop is a powerful demonstration of the added value of EU funding: enabling cross-border collaboration, advancing scientific excellence, supporting regional development, and strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness.
