Expelled from paradise

Dear readers,

Being appointed to Prague is an invaluable opportunity for an Ambassador. To have to leave Prague, a few years later, is therefore losing something invaluable.

I am not just talking about the city as such: a splendour, inhabited by a real „genius loci“, and moreover where life is good! It is also the country as a whole, its people, its culture, its intellectuals, its scientists, its artists, its heritage, its nature, etc. And then, for a diplomat, the Czech Republic is also an opportunity to witness an intense political life, which has seen, during the years of my assignment, the development of great fundamental debates, illustrated by the demonstrations of the „million moments for democracy“, then the change of majority following the 2021 elections, and the election of a new Head of State at the beginning of this year.

It is also a country with active diplomacy, which supports the values of democracy and respect for human rights, but which also takes up the challenge of confrontation when necessary. Czechia represents

a renewed commitment to European construction, as brilliantly illustrated by the Czech EU Presidency last year. It is also a generous and courageous support for Ukraine, inspired by a painful historical experience. It is still an unfailing commitment to solidarity in matters of security and defence, within the North Atlantic framework.

It is furthermore a country that has extraordinary companies, which are champions in their areas of activity, and a country that is also welcoming many foreign investors.

In short, it is a country where the diplomat is never bored for a minute, and where he constantly finds new avenues to explore, for the strengthening of the relations with his homeland…. And when this diplomat leaves, he obviously feels “expelled from paradise”! But such are the rules of diplomatic life, and my wife Bernadette and I are delighted to have had this chance to be posted in Prague.

I am deeply grateful to all those who allowed me to have this successful experience: my Czech and Slovak collaborators of the Embassy, the Deputy Head of Mission, our Military Attaché, the representatives of the communities and regions of Belgium represented in Prague, and also the many Czechs and Belgians who, in their field of competence or their region, contribute graciously to the strengthening of Belgium’s presence and image.

I am also very grateful to my wife for her commitment to the Embassy’s activities and to the Diplomatic Spouse Association. I would also like to thank my colleagues of the Prague Diplomatic Corps, where perfect collegiality reigns, marked by a great deal of mutual assistance and friendship, under the benevolent attention of its Dean. Last but not least, a very big thank you to the many Czechs I have met over the course of my activities: experts, senior civil servants, political and academic leaders, etc. who welcomed me so well and helped me in carrying out my mandate. And to those who are still in Prague but will soon have to leave, I say: enjoy every moment of your remaining Prague citizen life!

And to my successor, Ambassador Jurgen Van Meirvenne, I wish full professional success, in a city to which he will, in turn, be very attached to, I am sure.

Gregoire Cuvelier