Pavel Telička

Pavel Telička (born 21 August 1965)^[1] is a Czech lobbyist.

Early life

Born in Washington, D.C. as the son of a communist diplomat´. After his graduation from the Charles University in Prague, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia. In the following years, he held various positions in the Czechoslovak – later Czech – ministry and in the Czech Mission to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. From 1998 onwards, he served as Chief Negotiator for the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union.

European Union

In February 2004 Czech government nominated Miloš Kužvart, the former Czech Environment Minister, as a candidate for the EU commissioner. Kužvart, however, was allegedly not able to communicate in any foreign language, although he does in fact speak English, and allegedly lacked insight into EU affairs. He stepped down in a dramatic way after his first candidate visit in Brussels. Under time pressure the government nominated Telička.

When the Czech Republic entereded the EU on 1 May 2004 Telička became EU commissioner in the Prodi Commission. He shared the portfolio of Health and Consumer Protection with David Byrne. He did not continue in the new Commission due to a Czech government crisis and was succeeded by the resigning Prime Minister. His successor as Czech commissioner in the Barroso Commission was Vladimír Špidla.

In December 2004 he co-founded BXL Consulting with offices in Prague and Brussels. BXL Consulting is providing consultancy in EU affairs, primarily to large companies. The portfolio of clients includes both Czech and European companies.

He was also elected president of the Česká Rugbyová Unie (Czech Rugby Union) in November 2009.^[2]

References