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European Union leaders and representatives of the ten candidate countries slated to join the EU in 2004 are holding a three day summit in Greece. The meeting is taking place amid intense security in the luxury Greek resort of Porto Carras about 100 kilometres from Thessaloniki. Rob Cameron is with the Czech government delegation at the summit and reports on how things are going.

Every year the Czech Foreign Ministry awards the prestigious Gratias Agit prize, which honours the work of outstanding individuals abroad. Those, either of Czech descent or with strong ties to the Czech Republic, whose work has contributed to the betterment of others through altruistic, humanistic and cultural projects, while promoting the Czech heritage. This week, the recipients for 2003 were honoured at Prague's Foreign Ministry.

The Czech delegation came to Thessalonica with a clear position on all issues but one - a possible reference to the Christian tradition in the drafted EU constitution. The proposal to mention Christian roots of European culture in the preamble comes from the European People's Party. In the predominantly atheist Czech Republic, the idea, promoted by the Christian Democrats, sparked controversy in parliament. Particularly agitated were some MPs for the main opposition Civic Democrats and the ruling Social Democrats - they accused Christian Democrat

After 1989, Czechoslovak Radio, just like almost every other institution in this country had to find a new identity. Almost overnight, it ceased to be the voice of the state and changed into a broadcaster whose goal was to provide unbiased information, education and entertainment to listeners in an increasingly competitive environment. In 1991, Czechoslovak Radio became a public-service institution, independent of the state and funded by subscription fees. 1993 was another milestone for the broadcaster - the split of Czechoslovakia gave birth to

While in places like North America smoking is increasingly seen as anti-social, in many countries - including here in the Czech Republic - people have not been so quick to kick the habit. Among the international groups dedicated to fighting nicotine is the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. The organisation's Swedish chairman, Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, explained how he believed smoking could best be tackled in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Cabinet on Wednesday approved a framework agreement for reform, which aims to cut the public finance deficit to four percent of GDP by 2006 - a move that is crucial for the country's future in the European Union. However not everyone is happy with the plan. While the opposition Civic Democrats see it as being too moderate, trade unions have taken to the streets to protest against the spending cuts the plan will entail.

The government proposed budget reform is still on the Cabinet's negotiating table but it has already caused plenty of upheaval. One cabinet minister resigned because of the proposed cuts in spending and trade unions across the country are preparing protest actions. Strikes in hospitals are generally a last resort but doctors' unions have now announced a protest strike planned for Thursday June 19th, which may affect close to 80 hospitals in the country.

How can American and European educational systems learn from each other? Who should be funding private institutions of learning? Apart from state support, what resources can higher education draw on? Those questions were among the topics raised at the two-day Prague Forum on Education Management and Funding, which ended on Monday. The conference was organised by the Prague Society for International Co-operation and was attended by academics, businesspeople and politicians from as far afield as the USA, the Russian Federation and Croatia.

Judging by the responses to our competition, in which we asked who you considered the most interesting Czech of all time, the former president, Vaclav Havel, remains for many the strongest symbol of the Czech Republic. Now the Foreign Ministry is planning to make use of Vaclav Havel's good reputation abroad by making him a special ambassador.

Last week, the Convention on the Future of Europe adopted a draft constitution for an enlarged European Union by consensus. At a summit in Thessaloniki this week, it is expected to present its proposal to EU leaders. The draft constitution is designed to allow the EU function more effectively after it expands into Eastern Europe. But do representatives of the candidate countries believe it will work? In the Czech Republic, feelings are mixed.