The Czech Republic took the helm of the European Union on Thursday, facing crises including the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, the Middle East and the West's worst economic storm in generations.

The Czechs have raised concern among some EU states over their ability to lead, and follow France's initiative-filled tenure - when President Nicolas Sarkozy dealt with issues from the financial turmoil to the Russia-Georgia conflict. Many EU diplomats have privately expressed fears over the Czechs' capacity to lead on major issues due to the country's size and a government that has resisted deeper integration with the rest of the bloc.

Copyright Reuters, 2009