President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský met today at Prague Castle with President Petr Pavel. The reason for the meeting was a return to trying to coordinate foreign policy at the highest level. A joint meeting of the highest constitutional officials on this topic took place after more than three years. The participants of the meeting talked about relations with neighboring states, coordination of foreign trips, preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius, as well as assistance to Ukraine, and relations with China.
“We agreed not only on the fact that we want to coordinate foreign policy but also on a number of practical steps on how to do it. So that we maximize the effect for the Czech Republic. We have agreed that these meetings will be held approximately once every six months, but in the meantime, we will meet again on the topic of the longer-term direction of the Czech Republic’s foreign policy,” said President Petr Pavel after the meeting.
“For the first time in the time that I have held the position of President of the Senate, I felt that in the field of foreign policy, we agree with both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the President and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. I see this as a great opportunity for us to work together for the benefit of the Czech Republic and our priorities, which is the defense of the values on which the existence and functioning of the Czech Republic are built, as well as its prosperity in terms of economic development,” said the President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil .
According to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, we have such a degree of agreement in foreign policy that we are clearly better able to promote the interests of the Czech Republic and its citizens. “I think this is the best possible news for all citizens. It was not always obvious, but now we are getting into a situation where it is, and we should try to make the most of it,” she said after the meeting.
The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, emphasized the importance of foreign policy coordination. “It is necessary for the key representatives of the state to speak with one voice as much as possible because this is the only way foreign policy is credible and also effective. It thus brings the necessary effects for our citizens, for our business, and for our security,” he added.
“Our presidency of the European Union has shown that the Czech voice is heard and that it is respected, and we want to build on that further. We have a strong political consensus, and this is also a signal for our institutions. We are breaking down the walls between these institutions and creating a truly common foreign policy,” added Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.
Pictures : Tomáš Fongus