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“Each country has its own historical traditions”

H.E. Feng Biao, Ambassador of China with Miloš Zeman, President of Czech Republic

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“China has a history that includes a million years of humanity, 10,000 years of culture, and more than 5,000 years of civilization”, proudly says the new Chinese Ambassador in the Czech Republic, Mr. Feng Biao, and continues: “It is important to seek common ground while shelving differences, and to achieve harmony without uniformity.” How is the new Ambassador feeling in Czechia? What does he say about the relationship between the two countries? And how does he see the relationship between his country and the world?

Mr. Ambassador, you arrived in the Czech Republic on 14th October this year. Before, you worked in Chinese embassies in Syria, Egypt, and Sudan. What were your first impressions of our country?

Thank you for asking this question. It is a great honour for me to be the new Chinese Ambassador to this beautiful country. Actually, I feel at home here. First of all, my hometown is in the south of the Yangtze River of China, which has a similar climate and environment to that of the Czech Republic, with beautiful scenery, frequent rain, and moist air.

Secondly, both our countries have time-honoured cultural traditions and good aspirations for the prosperity and development of human civilization. Our two countries have rich cultural resources for exchange, and can work together to promote dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.

Thirdly, China and the Czech Republic enjoy a traditional friendship. Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the new China in 1949. In the early days of the People’s Republic of China, the Czech Republic donated agricultural machinery and equipment to China. During the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China and the Czech Republic supported each other, and China helped provide a large amount of pandemic-prevention supplies to the Czech Republic. China and the Czech Republic have helped each other through difficulties in different historical periods, demonstrating the friendship between our two countries and two peoples. I hope that in the new era the two countries will continue to strengthen their friendship and cooperation, for the well-being of both countries and peoples.

What do you consider the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

As the title itself suggests, an ambassador is a representative from one country to the other in order to promote friendship and ties between the two countries and peoples. The most difficult thing about being an ambassador is having the way of thinking needed to deal with problems and resolve conflicts. Each and every country and nation has its own historical traditions, cultural heritage, basic national conditions, and ways of thinking. It is important to seek common ground while shelving differences, and to achieve harmony without uniformity in order to bring people closer to each other. During my tenure, I will do my best to consolidate mutual political trust, expand economic cooperation and trade, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and the Czech Republic. I will make unremitting efforts to promote the steady and long- term development of the China-Czechia strategic partnership, improve the well-being of our people, achieve common development, and write a new chapter of China-Czechia friendship.

China is a large country that has a lot to offer to travellers. Can you introduce the natural and cultural heritage of your motherland, please?

Thank you for your interest in my motherland. As one of the countries with the longest history in the world, China has a history that includes a million years of humanity, 10,000 years of culture, and more than 5,000 years of civilization, and the Chinese civilization is the only civilization in human history that has lasted for over 5,000 years without interruption. For a long time, the Chinese civilization has exchanged knowledge with other civilizations and learned from each other, contributing to the world with profound systems of thought, rich achievements in science, technology, culture and art, and unique institutional creations. As a matter of fact, the Chinese civilization has profoundly affected the progress of world civilization. Today, China has a rich and profound cultural heritage, with 518 items in the first batch of the national list of intangible cultural heritage, and 42 items recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Chinese literature, calligraphy, music, drama, tea ceremonies, porcelain, etc. have a unique sense of beauty, and reflect the peaceful, optimistic, and open traits of the Chinese people.

As you said, China is a vast country, and covers an area of over 9.6 million square kilometres. It has a beautiful landscape, with 318 national 5A-rated scenic spots and 45 national tourist resorts. By July 2021, the total number of China‘s world heritage sites had reached 56, among which 38 are cultural sites, 14 are natural sites, and 4 are mixed sites, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City of Beijing. Different regions in China have various scenes and customs, and China’s regional cultures are diverse and colourful.

Moreover, China has enjoyed a rich food culture since ancient times, which emphasizes the seasonality, appearance, meaning and nutrition of food. The renowned Eight Cuisines of China are Anhui, Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. These cuisines have distinctive culinary styles, and I believe our Czech friends will find their favourites among them.

With this interview, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Czech friends to visit China, and experience a real and wonderful China.

Thank you for this really nice overview of the enjoyable features that are part of the colourful country of China. Now, can you describe the current status of Czech-Chinese relations?

This is an important question. The Czech Republic was one of the first countries to recognize the People‘s Republic of China. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the 6th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and the Czech Republic. History shows that friendly cooperation has always been the mainstream of China-Czechia relations, and mutual benefit and win-win results are the foundation of bilateral cooperation. In particular, since the Czech Republic joined the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (the China-CEEC Cooperation) in 2012, the China-Czechia practical cooperation has continued to reach new levels.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the bilateral trade volume between China and the Czech Republic increased by 120% from US$17.4 billion in 2012 to US$38.3 billion in 2021. Currently, the Czech Republic is China‘s second-largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, while China is the Czech Republic‘s largest trading partner outside the EU. In addition, according to the statistics of the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, Chinese investment in the Czech Republic increased from less than US$300 million in 2013 to US$1.7 billion in 2021. There are now more than 50 Chinese enterprises in the Czech Republic, covering traditional manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, machinery, home appliances, and chemicals, as well as emerging sectors such as information technology, new energy, and e-commerce.

China attaches great importance to the development of its relations with the Czech Republic, regards the Czech Republic as an important cooperative partner, and firmly believes that maintaining and growing a sound relationship between China and the Czech Republic best serves the common interests of the two countries and two peoples. For some time now, a small group of people in the Czech Republic, out of ideological prejudice and other reasons, have been interfering in China‘s internal affairs, undermining China‘s interests and causing adverse impacts. It should be pointed out that this group of people are incapable of preventing the people of the two countries from further developing friendly relations, let alone blocking China‘s development and progress. China stands ready to work with the Czech side, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefits, to strengthen friendly cooperation in various fields, promote the sustained, sound, and steady development of bilateral relations, and create more benefits for the people of both countries.

The waiting time for a new electric car in Czechia has now exceeded one year. Since China is a leader in the field of new energy vehicles, I would like to ask when we would be able to find them, and especially the BYD SUV atto 3, on sale here.

This is a very interesting question. Thank you. In recent years, China has been making great efforts in developing a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, and has more than 70 NEV brands. Now, there are around 600,000 NEV-related enterprises operating in China. In 2021, the output of new energy vehicles in China reached 3.545 million units, with a year-on-year growth of 159.5%. The sales volume was 3.521 million with a year-on-year growth of 157.6%, ranking the first in the world for seven consecutive years. The Chinese NEV industry strives to innovate technology, reduce costs, optimize services, and improve their brand image, and is rewarded with an increasing reputation in the global markets. In 2021, China exported 310,000 new energy vehicles with a year-on-year increase of nearly three times, accounting for one third of the world’s export volume and making China the largest NEV exporter in the world. From 2021 to 2026, China’s production and sale of new energy vehicles are projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 40%.

At present, there are several Chinese NEV brands selling in the Czech Republic. SAIC MG is one of them, and the sales volume of SAIC MG has been nearly 300 units in 2022. Some other brands are actively exploring the Czech market at the moment. I hope Czech customers could have the opportunity to buy the BYD atto 3 and other models from local dealers in the near future, and we look forward to more and more trade and investment cooperation between China and the Czech Republic in the field of new energy vehicles.

H.E. Feng Biao, Ambassador of China with Miloš Zeman, President of Czech Republic

This interview is given on the occasion of the National Day of China. What wishes do you have for your motherland, and for the Czech Republic?

In the 73 years since the founding of the People‘s Republic of China on 1st October, 1949, and especially in the over 40 years of reform and opening up, China has made impressive achievements in development, and both its comprehensive national power and the living standard of the Chinese people have improved significantly. We have completed the historical task of eradicating absolute poverty and finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and have embarked on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. In 2021, China‘s GDP reached 114 trillion yuan (approximately CZK 376 trillion) and accounted for 18.5% of the world economy. China has firmly remained the world’s second-largest economy. It has entered the ranking of the most innovative countries of the world, with the second highest nationwide R&D spending and the largest cohort of R&D personnel in the world, and has achieved major successes on multiple fronts, including manned spaceflight and Moon and Mars exploration. China has built the world‘s largest education, social security, and healthcare systems, and is recognized as one of the safest countries. The average life expectancy of the Chinese people has risen to 78.2 years.

Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development. In 2021, the total value of China‘s trade in goods and services grew to US$6.9 trillion, the stock of its investment in foreign countries exceeded US$2.6 trillion, and the cumulative foreign direct investment in China exceeded US$2.6 trillion. From 2017 to 2021, China ranked second in the world in attracting foreign investment for four consecutive years, and its outbound investment flows were among the top three in the world. China has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries, and has contributed up to 38.6% on average to and has become the main engine for world economic growth. We‘ll be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board, as well as in pursuing high-quality development, and will create many more opportunities for the world through China’s own development.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish for my great motherland to be strong and prosperous, for my compatriots to be happy and healthy, and for the early realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Meanwhile, I sincerely wish the Czech Republic peace and prosperity, and a brighter future for China-Czechia relations.

“Pakistan offers huge possibilities for investments”

H.E. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

At the beginning of its existence, Pakistan had a population of about 32 million. Now, it stands at 230 million, with estimations for the year 2050 being around 366 million. The median age in Pakistan is 22.8 years. Besides other potentially promising areas of cooperation, “there are huge opportunities for investments in supply chain and logistics”, says H.E. Mr. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you please share some highlights of your Czech experience with our readers?

Czechia is a beautiful country, and Prague is the most beautiful and romantic among European capitals. Czechia, except for Prague, is an unexplored destination among Pakistani tourists. My family and I have enjoyed our stay here, and visiting the beautiful countryside. Czechia’s immense strength in the sciences and its university system were hitherto unknown in Pakistan. It is an area that we are now in the process of strengthening through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Technical University of Prague and the National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad.

I believe that Pakistan is not that well explored by Czech tourists either. What can your country offer in this regard?

Pakistan is very lucky to have beautiful alpine, desert, and coastal topography. We are in the process of developing the tourism infrastructure in Pakistan to facilitate domes- tic and international tourists.

Buddhist tourism has been significantly developed in the past decade with the cooperation of the Republic of Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Thailand. For the first time in Pakistan ́s history, a group of Buddhist monks gathered at Dharmarajika Stupa in Taxila, Pakistan, for the annual rain retreat – vassa. They also performed the ritual commemorating the first sermon in Budhism, which was broadcast live in 32 countries. Taxila is the seat of the Gandhara Civilization, which is more than 2,000 years old.

Pakistan’s alpine tourism, with its rugged landscape, apart from professional mountaineering, is on the rise, and more and more local operators are developing small international standard hotels and tours. Due to the pan- demic, some of these efforts have been hampered, and international investments delayed. We are hopeful that as the world economy picks up, investments in this area will resume and a steady stream of international tourists will start coming in regularly to Pakistan.

Is it difficult to be an ambassador? Does your schedule allow you some free time?

The ambassadorial assignment is an honour, despite the cost of being away from family and friends. I do have some free time and I prefer to spend it at home with my family, listening to Urdu classical and film music, and reading books. I also enjoy wandering through the streets of Prague and discovering beautiful buildings and Prague culture. Besides that, my family and I plan short trips around the Czech countryside.

In the past, you held diplomatic assignments in Pakistani missions in Brussels. The EU Council presidency of the Czech Republic started on 1 July 2022. What are you, with your experience and as a representative of your country, expecting?

Czechia takes on the Presidency of the EU at a critical juncture in contemporary European history. The unfortunate conflict in Ukraine has brought to the forefront the critical issues of refugees and the cost of war. We wish the Czech Republic a very successful presidency despite these challenges. We are hopeful that Czechia will be at the forefront to work towards a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, and work towards a united and strong Europe, ensuring its energy security and stabilizing the economy and the development of democratic values.

We are confident that the rights of the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir will also be safeguarded during its term of the presidency. Pakistan, specifically, looks forward to Czechia’s support in the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP and preferred market status with the EU. Dialogue and resolution to the crisis in Afghanistan are also of great interest to us as the largest host to Afghan refugees for some 40+ years since the invasion by the USSR, as it comes at a huge humanitarian and financial cost for both Afghans and Pakistanis.

H.E. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan

The Czechia-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce was created and registered in 2020. What can Pakistan offer to Czech business and industry?

Pakistan is a resource-rich country with a youthful population of 52% between the ages of 19-29. With the Sino-Pakistan economic corridor firmly established, there are several areas of opportunity for Czech businesses to consider investments, particularly offering to derive benefits from the tax holiday regime.

There are huge opportunities for investments in supply chain and logistics, agriculture, and eco-friendly housing. The Czech-Pakistani Chamber of Commerce, under the patronage of the Embassy, is actively working to bring a Czech agricultural machine manufacturer to Pakistan. What ́s worth noting is the fact that, every year, Pakistan produces 20,000 English-speaking software engineers who can provide high-quality services to technology and software firms in Czechia. Additionally, Czech firms will find special incentives to set up operations in software parks. Business visas are now issued on arrival to facilitate interaction. The MoU on the Pakistani-Czech economic cooperation and business promotion was agreed on principally and will be signed in the third quarter of 2022. The Czech-Pakistani Chamber of Commerce was launched in 2020 with the objective to facilitate the activities of businesspersons from Czechia and Pakistan, and to promote the common economic interests of the two sides. We firmly believe that with the signing of the economic MoU this year, this chamber would further augment our business and trade relations, and its members would feel more secure about their investments.

“Our countries have different charms”

H.E. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, Ambassador of Indonesia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Just imagine a country whose people inhabit nearly 6,000 islands, and I am sure you will clearly understand the fitting wisdom of the Indonesian motto “Unity in Diversity”. Living in the landlocked Czech Republic brings along with it a different life experience, which the Ambassador of Indonesia Mrs. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih has had an opportunity to live through for about three years. Does she think the two countries are totally different? What is The Ten New Bali project about? And which major world organization is Indonesia chairing this year?

You have been stationed in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you please share some of your impressions with us?

The Czech Republic really is a beautiful country, with a beautiful landscape. It may be the exact opposite of Indonesia, where Indonesia is a country of thousands of islands and beaches, while Czechia is landlocked. Certainly, they both have different charms. For example, in Indonesia we cannot find the beautiful medieval architecture that is widespread throughout the Czech Republic. But on the other hand, Indonesia is also rich in the various natural conservations that you cannot find in other places.

Another highlight would be how both countries share a history of colonialism, and how it projected certain societal behaviours that were quite communal but are now growing to be capitalistic and individualised. Both countries also still need to improve the way they deal with the free flow of money and people, and to facilitate and oversee this process, so that it works for sustainable development.

I am here in the Czech Republic for my last assignment before retirement, so I like to spend my free time doing what I like. I enjoy playing the piano (particularly jazz-style music), Indonesian traditional dancing, and singing. I was born into a family of artists, so I have a keen interest in music and art performances. Therefore, I enjoy going to the theatre whenever possible.

Indonesia is quite an attractive destination for Czech people. How do you promote your country?

Indonesia is indeed a popular destination to visit. With nearly 6,000 inhabited islands, my country is blessed with both natural and cultural wonders. Our government has an official initiative known as Wonderful Indonesia, which focuses on sharing information and promoting five main attractions: Nature, Culinary & Wellness, Arts & Heritage, Recreation & Leisure, and Adventure. Since 2016, we have been working on a massive investment project called The Ten New Bali to redistribute incoming tourists and reveal some of the other wonders in Indonesia that had been previously hidden for many, as opposed to other well-known destinations.

We as an embassy strive to be part of the promotion as well by organising cultural events where the public can interact with Indonesian culture, including arts and food. In the last few months, we prepared our own musical based on old Indonesian legends, and organized the screening of the only Czechoslovak-Indonesian movie with Indonesian snacks-tasting, just to give you an example. Furthermore, we regularly participate in the Holiday World exhibition, which is another event where we focus on promoting tourism.

How do you assess the Indonesia-Czech Republic relationship?

Our relations have been very friendly and lively since the very beginning. In fact, Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries in Europe to recognize Indonesian independence. Even though we are geographically two very different and distant countries, as democracies we share a lot of focus and dedication within our respective regions.

The two countries have had some intensive meetings between government officials, from Indonesia to the Czech Republic and vice versa. On the economic level, we have recently been working on increasing mutual trade by investment, as well as searching for opportunities in sharing know-how and the transfer of technologies.

On the political level, we signed a memorandum of cooperation related to environmental issues last year, and we had the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs visit her counterpart in Czechia in June 2022.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started on 1 July 2022. This is one of the most important rights and demanding tasks of EU member countries. What are you, as a representative of Indonesia, a member of ASEAN, expecting from our Presidency?

As one of the founding fathers of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Indonesia is committed to making the relations between the two regional organisations work for both countries’ prosperity. We know that the EU has been helping ASEAN establish a seamless economic integration within the region through its projects, called ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE) and ARISE-Plus. We greatly appreciate how the EU is sharing its best practices with the ASEAN on how to form a regional economic community.

Not only that, but the EU has also established another framework of the EU project for Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA), an initiative to promote regional stability in Asia. This framework may be intended for the Asian region; however, the EU has made ASEAN countries the priority for projects under ESIWA, namely Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Therefore, we greatly appreciate the EU‘s continued deep interest in ASEAN. We expect that through the deepening of ASEAN and EU relations we will be able to collaborate by creating projects aimed toward sustainable development and for the people’s prosperity.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. Would you like to convey a wish to Indonesia, and perhaps also to the Czech Republic?

Both of our countries are currently facing so many challenges in the global and domestic spheres. For Indonesia, after declaring our independence on 17 August 1945, we still had to fight against the military aggressions of the colonials. And after the external threats were settled in 1959, we had to fight not with the colonials anymore, but within ourselves. Fighting against corruption, injustice, and poverty.

Indonesia has come a long way since then. This year, we are currently holding the G20 Presidency, as one of the top 20 biggest economies in the world. We have been struggling during our 77 years of independence, yet we keep holding onto our founding fathers’ vision for this country. Soekarno and M. Hatta formulated Indonesia’s founding ideology to be a non-aligned country, a multicultural society that goes out into the world to work towards peace and prosperity, by God’s blessing.

For the Czech Republic, our wish is for the government and the people to have a productive EU Presidency. We learnt the history of the last Czech EU presidency, and sincerely hope that this time it will be a successful one, establishing regional stability and mitigating the internal and external crises. We also hope that with Czech assistance, the EU will address several pending matters regarding the Indonesia-EU relation, such as the Indonesia-EU CEPA and palm oil, particularly related to the proposed EU rules on deforestation.

“Czech people have a long historical memory”

H.E. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of North Macedonia, acknowledges the respect of the Czech people for the past and our ability to maintain a link between our past and present. He believes that “the Czech Republic, which has a long history of dealing with aggression from the USSR, is particularly significant in this moment of incredible aggression on European soil in the 21st century”. How does he describe his life journey leading to the post of ambassador in Prague? What does the EU symbolise for him? And what does he wish for his country?

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to the post of North Macedonian Ambassador in the Czech Republic, please?

At the time of my studies, the importance and status of diplomacy were at their peak! Various world crises and so-called political “hotbeds” were being solved by really magnificent diplomatic efforts and results. The dissolution of inherited international concepts, such as the Cold War or the superpowers and bipolar structure as a basic assumption, promisingly led the world into a better future. We had the privilege to witness détente and jus contra bellum (de-escalation and the right to oppose war), the OSCE and Vienna Documents, the rise of the collective legal mind in the Council of Europe and its European Human Rights Court, and many other diplomatic and international achievements, unthinkable until then. Hence, it was in some way only natural for me to see myself as part of this, particularly while studying law and being good at languages.

Maybe a fortunate coincidence was that, at that time, both the then SFR Yugoslavia and SR Macedonia were introducing very strict criteria for recruiting future diplomats. Hence, I could and did enter diplomacy on my own merits and not by means of a political (or any other) criteria. Seven years later, I had to undergo an even more demanding procedure to transfer from the Macedonian to the Yugoslavian Diplomatic House. Finally, once the dissolution of the SFR of Yugoslavia had begun, a group of Macedonian diplomats in Belgrade refused to be advocates of a failing and flailing rampant Yugoslavia (already without Slovenia and Croatia), and so we fought our way back into Macedonian, now North Macedonian diplomacy.

Can you share some of your strongest impressions from living among Czech people?

The first thing you notice in the Czech Republic is respect for the past and for nature. The Czech people have a long memory, a tumultuous history, and many witness accounts of that history. You manage to establish a link between the past and places, buildings, and even the most everyday things, creating a clear picture of continual development. The Czechs are proud of their history and build stories around it, stories about battles and everyday life, about being similar and different to other people, stories that have the power to engage any visitor to the Czech Republic.

Everywhere you go, you can see a different moment from the cultural development of this country, a continuum of people that have built the present, which is so filled with culture and art. Every monastery has a story to tell, as does every castle, street, wall, house, and secret garden, and all the extravagant art pieces that seem to be scattered throughout Prague and other cities. It is noticeable that the Czech people like to talk about their history and are very knowledgeable about their past.

As noticeable is also your relationship with nature and your green heritage. Forests, parks, and gardens are all part of the Czech Republic and are hugely respected. Every park and every forest has its own unique characteristics. You can see subtle traces of human care everywhere, a cross- generational effort to preserve the natural beauty, to enrich and expand it.

I dare to say that having a tumultuous history is not that rare in the European area. Does having NATO, which you joined in March 2020, and the EU, where you received a candidate country status in 2005, help?

To be a NATO member is, first and foremost, a question of security. With the spectre of war looming even on the European continent, and when certain old ideologies and terrifying scenarios are being revived, NATO is a structure that offers a sense of security. The EU is a symbol of unity, while respecting differences. It is a symbol of the highest-level value system that humanity has currently achieved. This value system, the basis of the EU, is the greatest possible guarantee of protecting human rights and freedoms, but also of development and change, that considers both the present and the future.

North Macedonia entered the Euro-integration processes with huge enthusiasm, and still believes that the EU is where it belongs. Unfortunately, the road to the EU turned out to be complicated and burdened by a past that some of the EU members are struggling to let go of.

There is undoubtedly support from a lot of EU members, however, it is currently insufficient to escape the trappings of history.

What do you expect from the Czech EU Council Presidency?

The Czech Republic, which has a long history of dealing with aggression from the USSR, is particularly significant in this moment of incredible aggression on European soil in the 21st century. The Czech Republic knows what it is like to fight for your independence, for the ideology of human rights and for democratic values – specifically against one of the greatest aggressors, one that is currently harking back to the past instead of being part of progress and the future. In that sense, the Czech presidency of the EU right now means that there will be a clear idea of the true values we are defending, of the lessons to be learnt from the past, and what the future should look like. The priorities set by the Czech Republic for its presidency are all in this direction, and clearly confirm the country ́s important role in the further progress of the EU.

In the case of North Macedonia, the Czech Republic has always been a friend to our country, with a great understanding of the problems that we have faced, a clear view of past injustices, and the potential traps history has laid out for us. Therefore, North Macedonia believes that the Czech Republic will be a very important partner on our journey to join the EU, supporting and easing the process.

Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of North Macedonia. What are some attractions your country can offer to its visitors?

One of the most difficult tasks in promoting touristic North Macedonia is doing justice to the variety of things on offer. Often, people have only heard of Ohrid Lake and the capital city, Skopje. In reality, North Macedonia packs quite a lot in a relatively small area, from wonderful mountains suitable for sports activities any time of year, to hidden gems of natural beauty such as the Smolen Waterfalls, Kuklice, or the lakes on the Pelister mountain top. It also offers an opportunity to explore history from antiquity, specifically the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, in rich archaeological sites.

North Macedonia is a place where the west and east meet, and you can see this through the architecture, music, food, and traditions. It is a unique experience, rarely replicated. Hopefully, next year, once the Czech EU presidency is over, there will be further opportunities for us to fully embark on our tourism promotion!

How do you rate Czechia-North Macedonia relations?

The relations between the Czech Republic and North Macedonia have always been friendly, respectful, and supportive. Currently, North Macedonia considers the Czech Republic one of its greatest friends and supporters on its journey to join the EU. There is of course always more work to be done, and improvements could be made in the areas of economic and cultural cooperation.

North Macedonia can learn so much from your country on dealing with a complicated history and developing democratic structures, and hopefully the Czech Republic can make use of our experience in building a multicultural and multi-confessional society.

This interview is taken on the occasion of the national day of North Macedonia. Would you like to wish something for your country, and maybe for the Czech Republic too?

It is a lesser-known fact that Macedonia has been an independent country from 2 August (the National Day) 1944 until the beginning of 1946, when it joined the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. It joined voluntarily and willingly, unlike the countries that joined the Warsaw Pact. In the same peaceful and voluntary way, the then Socialist Republic of Macedonia decided to exit the SFR of Yugoslavia on 8 September (the Day of International Independence), 1991. So, in a way, we have two national days, but it seems that the people still prefer the first one – 2 August.

History aside, I wish for my country to continue its progression towards the best European values, and to further develop its cultural diversity and the unique way of existence of many ethnic groups in such a small piece of this Earth. I also wish my country a speedy entry to the EU, where it belongs geographically, historically, and by the values it has chosen to follow. To Czechia, I wish for further growth, maintaining its distinctiveness, and fitting that distinctiveness into the broader tapestry of the EU.

“Brazilian history is permeated by important Czech figures”

H.E. Sônia Regina Guimarães Gomes, Ambassador of Brazil

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, about double the size of the EU, covering almost 50% of the South American continent. It is the largest country with Portuguese as its official language. The coldest month is July, and the hottest is January. It is a country of over 214 million people, with excellent football, Amazon rainforests, diversity, and coffee. It is the country of H.E. Mrs. Sônia Regina Guimarães Gomes, Ambassador of Brazil.

Please tell us about yourself and your journey to become a diplomat.

Well, this may be a bit too long to answer in detail, so I will make it brief. I must confess that becoming a diplomat was not my first career plan. As a kid I wanted to be a biologist. Later on, I fell in love with history, but it was just when I went to college that I discovered International Relations and decided that a diplomatic career was the right path for me.

I enjoy discovering what can bring people together, rather than focusing on their differences. When you exercise openness to new cultures, to a different world view, you discover that underneath we have much in common. Take Brazilians and Czechs: we share common values, and I like to think that as a diplomat I must try to emphasize these common traits.

During the hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in November, you said: “We are going to have fairs with more products, and focusing on Brazilian regions…”. Can you tell us more about your plans?

It is not only Brazilian products that I want to bring to the Czech Republic. I also want to promote Brazilian culture as well. Brazil has such a richness and diversity, but also cultural experiences that are sometimes similar to those of the Czechs. I have recently discovered that the Brazilian Cordel literature (Cordel in Portuguese means string, and these booklets are displayed hung on a string), which is popular and grassroot chapbooks sold in fairs to entertain and educate people, is like the art of storytelling known here from the medieval period. I intend to make an exposition showing both forms of art and what they have in common.

I also want to work together with our Portuguese friends to help promote the Portuguese language. We intend to have a lot of activities for people of all ages next June, when we celebrate Portuguese Language Day.

How would you describe the relationship between Czechia and Brazil?

The Czech Republic and Brazil relations go back a long way. Sometimes I joke and say that we have always been by your side, no matter what your current geographical configuration or political status was. Our countries have had political relations since 1921. Brazilian history is permeated by important Czech figures, especially from the period when Brazil was still a young empire and received Czech naturalists, painters, and artists. We have cities in Brazil created by Czechs, and, as is well known, we had a highly regarded President that was of Czech descent, Jucelino Kubitschek.

But, of course, we can always build more on top of this solid foundation. Brazil is a country that can offer opportunities to businesses and universities. It is a source of renewable energy, the third largest food producer in the world, and we also have a vibrant tech sector, so there are lots of opportunities to be explored by companies of both countries in a myriad of fields.

You have served in many countries. Can you share with us an adventure you have had?

As diplomats, we have many lives. Each country and each city give us an opportunity to discover new things, not only about the region but also about ourselves. We are touched by distinct kinds of beauty, curious ways of living, and new ideas. But for me, the Republic of Cabo Verde was where I learned more about our planet and about myself. I remember a trip to one of its islands, Fogo, a still-active volcano. I saw the most amazing night sky there, absolutely studded, as if you were near the stars there. But it was also in Cabo Verde that I thought I’d get stranded on one of those islands, when the car that we rented broke down in the middle of nowhere and we had no cell phone. Fortunately, we found someone to help our group! But you realize that some comforts are not common or given, and that we must be prepared to use our resources in curious ways.

“Diplomacy is irreplaceable for building an understanding among peoples”

H.E. Ashot Hovakimian, Ambassador of Armenia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Ambassador of Armenia to the Czech Republic, Mr. Ashot Hovakimian, joined the diplomatic service immediately after his country gained independence, meaning exactly 31 years ago. “One can never overestimate the significance of the diplomatic service for building an understanding among peoples, and this service requires 24/7 dedication,” he is still convinced of the high importance of his work for humanity. A powerful message from the representative of a country that had experienced a horrible genocide in the past, and currently suffers from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

You have many years of experience in diplomacy. Can you share some of your assignments with us, please?

I joined the diplomatic service immediately after Armenia gained independence. As a specialist in Balkan and Slavic Studies, I was invited for consultations with the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, from which I received a proposal to join the diplomatic service. Since then, I have been posted to many diplomatic missions.

Among my first assignments was Greece, where I opened the Armenian Embassy in 1993. Then followed Poland, where I served as an Ambassador for almost eight years, simultaneously covering Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Directly from Poland, I was transferred to Austria, where my mission lasted for over five years. From Vienna, I served as a non-resident Ambassador to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as Permanent Representative of Armenia to the OSCE and the international organizations based in Vienna. After Vienna, in 2011, I returned to Armenia, where I was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and served in this capacity until my appointment as the Ambassador to the Czech Republic at the beginning of 2019. I am currently a non-resident Ambassador to four other countries: Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro, and I have recently been appointed also to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How would you describe your work to future ambassadors?

One cannot overestimate the significance of the diplomatic service in the sense of building a viable statehood. It is not just meant to establish means of communication with the governments of other countries but is in actuality the most powerful tool in presenting your country, your people, and your culture to the outer world. It is a means to attaining understanding and acknowledgement on the part of others, and, in this sense, it goes way beyond the simple function of communication, becoming an irreplaceable tool for building understanding among peoples, promoting human rights and universal values.

This service requires 24/7 dedication, and at times diplomats and their families are exposed to all types of extreme pressure. This pressure is multiplied in the case of Ambassadors, who not only have to act on the frontline but also take responsibility for their team. So, I advise the upcoming generation of Ambassadors to make sure they understand the whole scope of responsibility that rests on their shoulders.

You have been posted in Czechia for over three years now. How do you see our current relations?

As I mentioned, this is not the first time I am accredited as Armenia’s Ambassador to Czechia, to which I served as a non-resident Ambassador from Austria for several years before. Of course, being a resident Ambassador opens up more possibilities for enhancing the political dialogue we enjoy with the Czech Republic.

We see Czechia as a like-minded country, with which we not only share the same humanistic values but also relations, which are anchored on sustained democratic traditions, historical friendship, and mutually beneficial cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

In the bilateral dimension, we have quite active inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as an ongoing inter-governmental cooperation framework with an inter-governmental commission on economic issues, operating through regular sessions and discussions. Armenia and Czechia also have mutually beneficial cooperation within multilateral formats, including the UN, OSCE, and CoE. This is extensively complemented by the Armenia-EU cooperation framework, including the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The active role taken up by the Czech Republic in promoting the EU Eastern Partnership framework is commendable, and we stand ready to join efforts in further maintaining this cooperation platform.

Are your expectations for the future equally positive in this regard?

We see an untapped potential in further deepening our cooperation with the Czech Republic both in the bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as within the framework of the European Union, whilst the Czech presidency of the EU Council is an additional asset to this end.

Armenia is keen to work towards not only expanding the political agenda but also fostering educational and intercultural exchanges, and activating the mobility between the peoples of our countries in terms of tourism, promoting trade and mutual investments.

We are also keen to work towards joint endeavors in the spheres of IT and high-tech solutions, a field full of potential and aspirations for both of our countries.

Next year we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Czechia, and this will be a good opportunity for re-evaluating and further enhancing our dialogue in all fields of mutual interest.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Czech Republic quite recently, at the end of July. What does this visit indicate?

We have established good traditions of cooperation on the level of Foreign Ministries. The most recent visit of our Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, indicates the reciprocal willingness of both sides to further promote bilateral political dialogue and cooperation within the European dimension, amid Czechia assuming the Presidency of the EU Council.

We are thankful to the Czech Republic for its approach to humanistic issues of importance, not only for the Armenian people but also for humanity in general. Both chambers of the Parliament of the Czech Republic have officially condemned and recognized the Armenian Genocide. Czech parliamentarians were also among those who explicitly raised their voice on the issue of the Armenian prisoners of war remaining in Azerbaijani custody.

The Czech side has also been a supporter of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which plays a key role in reaching a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

You are also acting as an Ambassador to Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. How can you manage so many countries?

It is my “motto” to create a new, more comprehensive image of the status of a non-resident Ambassador. I travel to each of the non-resident countries at least 4-5 times a year, combining official meetings with cultural and economic events, organizing different receptions, and providing a chance for a better understanding of my country, its politics, its economic possibilities, alongside creating a strong bridge between our friendly states. Some state officials even sometimes joke, telling me that I meet them more frequently than some of the resident Ambassadors do. Our task is to discuss, research, find mutually beneficial areas for our cooperation, and do our best for their further development. Of course, sometimes many things overlap – you cannot be present simultaneously in the different countries, and you have to choose your priorities – but, very often, personal contacts and my knowledge of the languages of the region prove helpful.

Turkey and Azerbaijan are not among the countries where diplomatic relations were established by Armenia. Would you like to give us a picture of this situation?

Since proclaiming its independence 31 years ago, the Republic of Armenia, following the principles of universal values, has been building its statehood and active communication with the outside world. We have joined and actively participated in the work of around two-dozen international organizations, and established diplomatic relations with around 180 countries. Turkey and Azerbaijan are not among those countries due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The border between Armenia and Turkey was unilaterally closed by Turkey in the early 1990s. As you probably know, the special representatives have now been appointed for the normalization process and a few meetings have already been held where the sides decided to move forward without any preconditions, with the goal of opening the borders. To give a positive dynamic to that process, the Foreign Minister of Armenia recently accepted the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Turkey and travelled to Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, where he met with his counterpart on the margins of the Forum.

We believe that in order to achieve normalization it is necessary to have a political will and readiness to undertake concrete steps. The Armenian side has repeatedly demonstrated both, and we expect the same from the Turkish side. Despite all the risks and the fragility (of the situation), there is a chance for opening an era of peaceful development in our region, and Armenia will continue its efforts to contribute to the realization of that chance.

And in the case of Azerbaijan?

With regards to Azerbaijan, it should be noted that the waning years of the USSR were marked with the expression of the peaceful appeal of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to exercise their right to self-determination, but the lawful demands of these people were, unfortunately, responded to with violence, deportations, premeditated massacres, and, eventually, wars. Thus, it was not surprising that, instead of promoting peace in the region and committing to the resolution of the conflict through a peaceful negotiation process, on 27 September, 2020, Azerbaijan, with the direct support of Turkey, and with the participation of foreign terrorist fighters from the Middle East, unleashed a large-scale war against Artsakh.

The growing anti-Armenian hatred, xenophobia, and intolerance, which have been cultivated for decades in Azerbaijan and promoted at the highest political level, never being properly addressed, eventually found their manifestation in the war crimes perpetrated against the Armenian population and the Armenian historical- cultural heritage during and after the last war in Artsakh, where hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and residential buildings were deliberately targeted, and mass atrocities, extrajudicial killings, as well as the destruction and the illegal expropriation of churches, cemeteries, and religious symbols, became ordinary practice.

Did the trilateral statement, signed between the leaders of the Russian Federation, Armenia, and Azerbaijan on 9 November 2020, not help?

The statement put an end to the fighting, and provided for the stationing of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, creating conditions for ensuring the comprehensive security of the population of Artsakh. But this did not provide for the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Moreover, even after two years, Azerbaijan, along with other key provisions of the document, continues violating the provisions of paragraph 8 of the statement on the exchange of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons, in gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law. With false and fabricated trials against the Armenian POWs, Azerbaijan uses human lives as a political bargaining chip, whilst the xenophobic attitudes prevailing in Azerbaijan continue to pose a direct threat to our compatriots, currently under Azerbaijani custody.

The realities based on the use of force, mass violations of human rights, as well as the consistent actions of a similar nature by Azerbaijan following the war, including the infiltration by Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia, cannot create a sustainable foundation for regional peace and security. Only agreements reached within the framework of a peace process can open a new page for peace, security, and development in the region. We stand for the full- fledged launch of the peace process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework and mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship (US, France, and Russia).

H.E. Ashot Hovakimian, Ambassador of Armenia

Do you have anything else to say on this sad topic?

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan continues blocking the access of humanitarian organizations and other specialized bodies to Artsakh, which is of vital importance in the context of a comprehensive and effective solution to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war.

The settlement of humanitarian issues, including the repatriation of all prisoners of war and captured civilians, addressing the cases of enforced disappearances, as well as ensuring the protection of the Armenian historical- cultural heritage fallen under Azerbaijani control, all require an urgent solution.

Moreover, whilst Armenia is trying to engage in open discussions and negotiations on the opening of regional communications to the benefit of all countries in the region, Azerbaijan continues pursuing its expansionist agenda through the misinterpretation of a so-called “Zangezur Corridor”. The existence of any extra territorial corridor inside the territory of Armenia is ruled out. This is not even up for discussion. Our discussions are exclusively about opening and unblocking roads, transport, and economic communications.

Has the war in Ukraine had any effect on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Azerbaijan continues its policy of provocative actions and its threats of using force. After the situation in Ukraine unfolded, the Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was preceded by the constant shelling of villages and civilian infrastructure, urging the peaceful Armenian population of the neighboring villages to leave their homes under the threat of the use of force, disruption of the operation of the gas pipeline for several weeks amid the unprecedented cold weather, etc. The provocations and aggression by Azerbaijani armed forces newly intensified in the beginning of August, resulting in deaths and casualties. Currently, when the world focuses its attention on Ukraine, Azerbaijan may be tempted to launch a large-scale provocation at any moment. Hence, it is extremely important for the international community to undertake effective steps to prevent the attempts of destabilizing the situation in the South Caucasus.

Nevertheless, we think that peace, not war, is the solution, and Armenia continues its efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region. We’ve repeatedly stated that we are ready to start negotiations on comprehensive peace with Azerbaijan, which will also include the lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the protection of all rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and its final status. Nagorno-Karabakh is not only a piece of territory; it is a people, whose dignity should be respected.

During the meeting of leaders in Brussels on 22 May, it was agreed to start work towards the delimitation and security of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, to finalize talks on opening the transport infrastructure in the region, and to work on the preparation for comprehensive peace talks. If Azerbaijan demonstrates a constructive approach, and refrains from creating hurdles along the way like they have many times before, I think we can move forward. Let me repeat that Armenia is ready for a constructive dialogue on peace and collaboration, free from preconditions and threats. Only when all these issues are properly addressed, prospects for sustainable peace and development in our region will become visible.

As a Jew, I cannot ignore the historical genocide against the Armenians. How is this affecting modern Armenia?

As you know, every year on 24 April, Armenians all over the world commemorate the Armenian Genocide, known as the first genocide of the 20th century. The evil act, meant to exterminate a nation, not only failed in its mission but even strengthened the will of the Armenian people to live and create a better future.

Today’s huge Armenian Diaspora of over 7 million people is mostly comprised of the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who were not only given shelter and care in various friendly countries, but were also provided opportunities to preserve their national identity and organize their own cultural and political life whilst actively engaging in their host communities. We are grateful to all those who stood by the Armenian people during the tragic pages of our history.

Ever since, the Armenian people, both in Armenia and the Diaspora, have pledged their commitment to raising awareness of genocidal crimes and protesting against denialism.

History has shown us that inappropriate condemnation of past crimes and avoiding punishment create fertile ground for denial and justification of genocide, and, eventually, lead to recurrences of mass atrocities. Denied justice on its part pursues generations of genocide survivors and hinders genuine reconciliation.

Feel free to elaborate on this.

Unfortunately, even after a hundred years, the Armenian people see history reminding them of their painful past, with the genocidal intent demonstrated during the 44-day war in Artsakh, and the developments that followed. This includes the situation with the Armenian POWs, as well as the continuous intentional destruction by Azerbaijan of Armenian historical-cultural heritage in an attempt to eliminate all traces of Armenians from the territories that have fallen under its control.

Nevertheless, a small nation, that in just a little over 100 years has survived genocide and faced three wars waged upon its mere existence, does not give up on its fight for justice, and continues to lead international efforts towards the “Never Again”campaign by traditionally introducing the Resolution on the Prevention of Genocide at the UN Human Rights Council, where, quite recently, on 31 March, the fifth of such was once again adopted by consensus. Upon Armenia’s initiative, the UN GA has proclaimed 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, and of the Prevention of this Crime. Commemoration and respect for the dignity of the victims of genocide and genocidal crimes are not just expressions of solidarity, but are amongst the most important actions in the prevention of such crimes in the future. Year by year, Armenians are joined by the international community and their friends worldwide in not only commemorating the over 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, but also bringing together efforts in condemning and preventing such grave crimes against humanity. To this end, I would like to once again thank the Czech Republic for joining this big family – the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution condemning and recognizing the Armenian Genocide back in 2017, and the Czech Senate adopted a similar resolution quite recently in May of 2020. Each year on 24 April, when honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide here in the Czech Republic, we also pay tribute to famous Czech traveler and writer Karel Hansa, and to prominent Austrian-Bohemian novelist of Jewish origin Franz Werfel, one of the first in Europe to have documented the horrors of the Armenian Genocide.

A few months ago, you were very upset that some interviews with you were censored. Am I correct?

Unfortunately, I will have to confess that Indeed, we had such incidents, especially during the last war in Artsakh and the period that followed, when the Embassy and I as the Ambassador were on some occasions not only refused the opportunity to voice the official position of my country, but were also often deprived of the right to reply. Moreover, my authorized texts were several times subjected to censorship in the most hideous way, whilst in other cases we were prompted on what exactly should be said in order to be able to get ‘space’ in the media. Such misconduct on behalf of some media outlets has only deepened our concerns that the latter (outlets) were not merely pursuing their commercial interests, but were being guided by the political interests of third parties, and subjected to the influence of those third parties in their activity.

Traditionally, we ask the Ambassadors at this moment of an interview to voice their wishes for their country. I think Armenia is one of those where the wish is rather obvious.

So, I will describe it a little more broadly. Armenia is one of the cradles of ancient civilization, with roots going back into pre-historic times. We have millennia- old heritage, not only in terms of tangible, but also intangible, cultural and religious heritage. Armenia is the first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion, which, together with the Armenian language and traditions, has played quite an important role in preserving the Armenian identity throughout the centuries, especially in the times of the absence of Armenian statehood. 31 years ago, through the expression of the united and collective will of the Armenian people, the modern-day Armenian statehood came into existence. Our nation, which possesses a centuries-old history, having passed through many hardships and trials and having survived genocide, not only withstood all those challenges but also restored its statehood in its historical homeland. Even in this short period of time, we were still challenged to fight for the preservation of our identity and for the right to live in our homeland. The Artsakh wars and the achievements and losses of the Armenian people are once again a testament to the strong will of the Armenian people to live and create in their native homeland, and to the unbreakable faith in building a bright future for the new generations.

Do you have a wish for the Czech Republic as well, to conclude our interview?

The Czech Republic is one of the countries with which Armenia shares good traditions of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, anchored on sustained democratic traditions and universal values. A few years ago, Czechia festively celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of statehood through the democratic path. Czechia is a country which has officially taken the course of pursuing the legacy of Václav Havel, underscoring human rights, democratic development, strong civil society, and multilateral collaboration. The wave of peaceful transition that started off in the Czech Republic over three decades ago has years later found its reflection beyond its borders. In Armenia, we also pursue these values, which was reflected in the non-violent “velvet revolution” that took place in our country a few years ago, and which is currently visible in the ambitious agenda of democratic reforms and transformations that the Armenian Government is currently undertaking. The Czech Republic is a reliable partner for us in this sense, in sharing its experience and supporting Armenia on its democratic path.

I would therefore like to use this opportunity to wish the Czech Republic the utmost success in all of its endeavors, including its EU presidency, and for our countries to benefit from the flourishing friendship between our two friendly nations.

“Hard-working Vietnamese people integrate ever more successfully”

H.E. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

According to official estimates, there are now around 96,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. Mr. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam, describes the community as “industrious, tolerant, hard-working, dynamic, creative, and extraordinarily studious”, and, based on my experience as a Czech person, I fully agree with him. In this interview, Mr. Dung offers an insight into his positive feelings about our country, the local Vietnamese community’s support for people in need, the development of the tourism industry in Vietnam, and the bilateral trade opportunities for businesses of both countries.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic? Can you please share some of your impressions?

I am a diplomat with over 35 years of experience working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Czech Republic in July 2020. The first impression I noticed is that Prague is an ancient, beautiful capital, filled with so many spectacular monuments and stunning architecture like Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge. Besides Prague, I also visited some other cities in the Czech Republic such as Karlovy Vary, Brno, and Ostrava. The more I learn in terms of history, architecture, culture, and cuisine, the more I am amazed by the cultural and historical landscapes and friendly people here. After spending over two years in the Czech Republic, it goes without saying that it is one of the safest and most beautiful countries I ever had the chance to live in. Czech people are modest, pleasant, friendly… and also very enthusiastic when it comes to festivals. In summary, the Czech Republic is a country worth living in and has many aspects to explore.

There is a big Vietnamese community in our country. How do you evaluate their situation here?

I can say that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is one of solidarity and responsibility, complying with local laws, gradually overcoming language barriers and thus integrating more deeply, widely, and sustainably.

In 2013, the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic was recognized by the Czech government as an ethnic minority in the Czech Republic. The community ́s willingness to share local difficulties and contribute to Czech society is highly appreciated by common Czechs as well as the local authorities, and the Vietnamese are being recognized as a community that brings many benefits to the Czech Republic. Most of the Vietnamese here have jobs and stable incomes, their children are well educated, and many have been very successful in the business environment.

Can you give some concrete examples of how the Vietnamese in the Czech Republic benefit our society?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, from the very beginning, the Vietnamese community across the Czech Republic has shown solidarity and actively supported the local authorities and people as a response to the pandemic.

Let me mention things like donating face masks, medical supplies, cash, and providing free meals and drinks for the pandemic prevention and control forces. Another example is donating essential consumer goods and cash to the people of Southern Moravia, who suffered serious damage from a tornado at the end of June 2021.

Since the war in Ukraine broke out in February of this year, which led to the humanitarian crisis with millions of refugees from Ukraine escaping to Europe, the Vietnamese community has promptly implemented several activities to support the refugees, both Vietnamese and Ukrainian. A committee has been established by the Embassy of Vietnam and the Association of the Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic to help evacuate Vietnamese fleeing war zones in Ukraine. The committee has regularly updated the latest regulations and instructions set out by the governments of Czechia, Ukraine’s neighboring countries, and the EU on the entry of those from Ukraine. Announcements have been published by the committee on the official website of the Vietnamese Embassy and on social media in order to help them better understand local rules.

The committee has raised nearly 20,000 EUR, which was spent on food, medicine, and other necessities for those fleeing to Poland and Romania. Additionally, it has collected donations of food, drinking water, blankets, clothes, and medicine from local people for the needy people from Ukraine. Many expats have voluntarily driven the Ukrainian Vietnamese from the borders with Ukraine to temporary shelters in Czechia, while others have given accommodation and food.

Vietnam is gaining more and more attention from the Czech people as a holiday destination. How do you promote your country?

Firstly, I would like to appreciate the fact that Czech people choose Vietnam as one of their holiday destinations. Recently, Vietnam‘s tourism industry has been putting all of its efforts into restoring its operations after a long struggle of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam is one of the six countries that achieved the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates in the world.

Back in time, 20 years ago, Vietnam was not a popular destination for tourists. The situation has changed significantly in recent years. At the moment, besides the big known cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, other provinces have also gradually renovated their landscapes, infrastructures, and customer services to become a favorite holiday destination for tourists from across the globe.

The campaign “Live fully in Vietnam” was created to help promote Vietnam’s outstanding values of culture, heritage, and landscapes, as well as the premium services of Vietnam tourism, offering international visitors a full experience in Vietnam. Besides, we also focus on implementing digital technology to improve the efficiency of our promotion activities and ensure safe tourism. In particular, we will continue promoting tourism in Vietnam via digital platforms such as websites and social networks. In addition to online activities, in 2022, Vietnam’s tourism industry will organize and participate in international industry events and fairs to reconnect with international tourist markets and target key markets in Europe, such as the Czech Republic. At the same time, programs will be deployed to promote Vietnam‘s tourism on major international media channels such as CNN and CNBC. We are ready to welcome the wave of tourism recovery and all Czech friends in Vietnam now, in 2022.

What is the status of Czechia-Vietnam relations?

The Czech Republic and Vietnam enjoy a traditional and long-lasting relationship, established over the past 70 years, that is constantly being consolidated and developed in all fields. The Czech Republic is one of Vietnam’s priority partners in Central Eastern Europe. The two sides have maintained regular exchanges through hundreds of delegations at all levels, and a variety of other means. Our countries have maintained regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation to implement economic cooperation activities since 2006. The most recent one was successfully held in Prague on 29-30 June 2022, with the signing of a protocol of the 7th meeting. Those exchanges and meetings have contributed to further promoting political and diplomatic relations, expanding economic trade and investment relations, and also promoting cooperation in the field of security, defense, education-training, and encouraging discussions on international and regional issues of mutual concern. Figures presented at the seventh meeting show that bilateral trade between Czechia and Vietnam has reached the record value of 2.0 billion USD in 2021, a major increase of 37.9% in comparison to 2020. The Czech Republic currently has 41 investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of more than $92 million, ranking 49 among 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, focusing on the fields of real estate, beer, electrical equipment, building materials, etc. Recently, Czech businesses have been very interested in the Vietnamese market in the fields of traffic and its supporting industries, production of automobiles and spare parts, electric railway cars, beer and wine, cyber security, defense industry, etc. In addition, Vietnamese businessmen in the Czech Republic are also quite successful, and make a significant contribution to promoting trade and investment cooperation between our countries, thereby promoting economic relations between Vietnam and the European Union.

I assume the cooperation with the EU as a whole and the Czech Republic as a member country go hand in hand, am I right?

Sure, the implementation of the EVFTA (EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) has brought many benefits to Vietnamese-EU businesses and people, including the Czech Republic. The EVFTA and EVIPA (Investment Protection Agreement), approved by the Czech parliament, are of strategic importance to economic, trade, and investment cooperation, not only between Vietnam and the EU but also between Vietnam and the Czech Republic. The agreements will help Czech and EU businesses access the market of nearly 100 million people – a young market with 65% of people under 35 years of age, very dynamic, creative, and knowledgeable. Besides, Vietnam will be the door for Czech enterprises to access ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asian markets in the near future.

We can see that the mutual relations of our countries are friendly and on the right track. What else can we wish for?

You are right. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 2 February 1950, the relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic have been cultivated by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, and have continuously flourished, becoming traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation relations. Although I am more than 10,000 kilometers away from Vietnam now, I still feel close and cozy like at home because we have such a strong and close relationship. Now, I am very proud to call the Czech Republic my second homeland.

And for that friendship and strong foundation, may I wish the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic to continue to strengthen, develop, and achieve greater heights; and also prosperity and happiness for the citizens of both countries.

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How to holiday in Vietnam

Frequently visited and highly recommended by international tourists are, for example, these locations:

Ha Long Bay – for its emerald waters and more than 1,600 limestone towers and islands topped by rainforests. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. The place is ranked fifth among the ten most beautiful places around the world in 2022, according to Canadian travel site The Travel.

Quang Binh – for its natural caves and mountainous interior, with Son Doong Cave – the world’s largest natural cave settled deep within the remote and well-preserved jungles of central Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. The New York Times listed Son Doong Cave as the 8th among 52 must-go destinations in 2014. In 2019, the cave ranked 3rd in the 11 amazing attractions by the leading tourism magazine Telegraph.

Hue – for its royal mausoleums, imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas, Sapa – for its towering peaks, steep rice terraces, and picturesque villages, Nha Trang – for its picturesque beaches, which offer a backdrop of towering rock cliffs and are stunningly beautiful, Mekong Delta – for its vast rice fields and innumerable waterways, Phu Quoc – for its white powder beaches, turquoise waters, palm tree forests, mountains, and waterfalls,

On top of that, the Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive, with a unique fusion of ingredients, and it is very affordable and easy to buy. Tourists can choose from a wide variety of food like Phở – a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup cooked in chicken, beef, or even vegetarian broth, Bánh Cuốn – a scrumptious roll made from rice flour with a hearty filling of pork, mushrooms and shrimp, topped with some crunchy onions, Bún Chả – a combination of sliced pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh garden herbs, and fish sauce, Bún Bò – a symphony of textures prepared with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, bean sprouts, fried shallots, and chilli peppers.

“We can handle everything because we stick together”

Luboš Drobík, Owner and President of the Prague Business Club

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Prague Business Club

It is a natural need of a human being to have a safe, supportive place where you can relax, express yourself freely, and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Many Czech entrepreneurs have found such an inspiring oasis at Prague’s Wenceslas Square, on the premises of the Prague Business Club, which was founded 20 years ago by Luboš Drobík. How did it all start? What is the mission of the Club and its founder? And is it still possible to improve the club after 20 years of its successful existence?

Nowadays, the Prague Business Club hosts over 100 club discussion dinners a year. Is this what you were planning at the beginning?

I didn’t really plan anything about the club that much at the beginning, I did not even plan to start it in the first place. The best things in life seem to come to you by accident. Just as a woman enters your life and becomes your destiny, so did the club enter my life and become mine. It happened twenty years ago, when, as a family, we rented a beautiful villa in Bubeneč, Prague, and realized that some great events could be held there. Talking about it, I feel like it was only yesterday, but looking at my own face in the mirror proves me wrong.

So, you had a great place for meetings, waiting for the first guests to arrive. Who did you invite?

Good question because I can tell you that, at the very beginning, this wasn’t an easy part at all.

I didn’t have any personal contact with famous people, and I didn’t really know whom to invite. Then I remembered that I used to play football as a student for Tatran Střešovice sports club, and a certain Pavel Bém, the mayor of Prague 6 at the time, played with me. So, I invited him as the main guest. But still, I didn’t know whom to invite as participants in the meeting. I decided to open the Yellow Pages, because the Internet wasn’t quite there yet, and started with the letter A. I mean, I simply started inviting all the business owners who ran a business activity starting with A, e.g. automobile repair shops and antenna manufacturers, and the (hall) capacity for our event quickly filled up. And it was great fun when they found out at the meeting that almost everyone was doing the same thing. (laughter)

Luboš Drobík with Petr Kolář and Petr Pavel

Twenty years of the club have passed. How are you doing today?

We gradually became more professional and started inviting representatives from other fields of business, and much more interesting main guests. I remember my audacity when I decided to invite a government minister for the first time. I found an email for the minister, and, then and there, sent an invitation saying that “a top prestigious club invites you to a debate”. And it went well, the meetings got better and better, and we finally started selling memberships. Today, I think we are really the most prestigious club in the Czech Republic. Since the beginning, we have organized more than two thousand meetings. I personally know almost everyone in this country, and I am extremely happy to be at our club meetings and to soak up the wisdom of all the main guests who come here with their topics.

Can you tell us who your members are, and what benefits they gain by joining the club?

They are primarily owners of Czech companies. They are great people who have achieved something and find their equals in the club. You know, it is not easy at all to be the owner of a successful company. You immediately become the center of attention, people cling to you who want to take a piece of your success and money, and others envy you and do not wish you success. You feel quite alone, and develop a desire to connect with someone who is going through similar things in their life. And our club is the place where you can find such people. Here, no one envies anything, no one bothers anyone, and no one pushes their products and services on others. You feel that you are in a place with others like you. It’s like you’re coming home, among your own kind of people. You belong here and feel the friendship and support of others.

Václav Havel

There certainly is great value in meeting like-minded people in person. How did you survive the online COVID era?

You’re right. It is proven that the more social connections you have, the happier your life is. With the Prague Business Club, I create space for these ties to develop, and I am really happy when members come to me and say that, thanks to the club, they got to know this or that person, and together they did this or that. I can see how important the club is to them and that is the best reward for me. COVID has disrupted our personal meetings a lot. We couldn’t be together for almost seven months, and only met online once a week, always with a guest. However, the members are very loyal and have supported their club financially, so today we are back at full strength, and going full throttle with almost 150 events in one year.

We gained the important experience that this is not something that should be taken for granted. We value our meetings more, and are grateful that we can meet. Everything is so fragile, and the COVID crisis showed us that. Now, there are other challenges again, like the war in Ukraine or the energy crisis, but now I know that we can handle it all. We stick together.

Is it possible to find new ways to further develop the club’s activities, even after twenty years?

Of course. I am a person who is constantly full of new ideas and challenges. During these past twenty years I have always felt that I am at the beginning, and that there are many things ahead waiting to be realized. Twenty years were added to the book of my life, the club gave me a lot, and, of course, took something away. But I have learnt that my mission is to connect people. Right now, we are creating club sections for members based on their interests. So, we are launching a gourmet section for wine and good food lovers, an investment section for investors, a golf club section for golfers, etc. Everyone has the opportunity to further develop and enjoy their hobbies and their own interests. There is still a lot of room to explore.

I think we are unique, and we want to be even better.

It looks like you have found your calling in life. Do you have a message for Czech entrepreneurs?

If I can tell them something, I would say: Please, do your business consciously, as a service not only to your family and ego but also to your employees and the whole of our beautiful Czech country. Remember to give a large part of your profit to non-profit projects that cultivate society and help others achieve a better and happier life. It is always advisable to be aware of our finite existence, and the fact that we cannot take our success to the afterlife. Always conduct business honestly and ethically. Don’t be afraid to lose, and put up with a little (difficulty) sometimes. We are not here to fight and destroy others, but to cooperate as much as possible and work for a higher cause – not only for money, which is always fleeting anyway.

“Moldova is a European country with European values”

H.E. Alexandru Codreanu, Ambassador of Moldova

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Alexandru Codreanu started his mandate as Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Czech Republic two years ago. Among many other assignments, including positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, he has represented his country in Hungary, to the Holy See, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and worked with the OSCE Mission in Tajikistan.

The major achievement of which Moldova takes pride in was attained this year on 23 June: the European Council granted Moldova the EU candidate status. “The Republic of Moldova is firmly determined to remain part of the free world. International support for the European future of Moldova is, and will be, highly appreciated,” the Ambassador expresses in gratitude.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your diplomatic career?

I joined the diplomatic service of my country three decades ago, soon after the independence of the Republic of Moldova was proclaimed. On my part, this required further graduation studies in the field of international relations, as well as additional diplomatic training during my first years at the Foreign Ministry. Over the years, I have had many opportunities to promote the interests of the Republic of Moldova in the multilateral and bilateral cooperation settings, including on various assignments at the Ministry ́s headquarters in Chișinău, the capital city of Moldova, and in diplomatic missions abroad.

For my diplomatic mission in Prague I am accompanied by my wife Svetlana, since my adult son, Dinu is already settled down with his own family.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic and what is your impression of it?

I presented my letters of credence to the President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Miloš Zeman, in October 2020, two years ago. Since then, I have enjoyed the welcoming attitude and cooperation of the Czech officials and people. I have had several opportunities to discover the rich heritage of the country, both in Prague and in other regions. Since the entire world has been struggling with the pandemic over the last two years, I appreciated the solidarity and supportive approach of the Czech partners towards Moldova in these challenging times, when humanitarian aid was provided for the healthcare sector in my country. However, my current mission is not my first encounter with beautiful Czechia. Several years ago, I already had the opportunity to visit here, though briefly, as part of the Moldovan governmental delegation. I also attended the spring OSCE Forum at the Czernin Palace, and, on a different occasion, as a tourist, had spent a wonderful Christmas holiday in Prague with my family.

Your country has made long-term efforts to join the European Union. How do you evaluate the process so far?

Moldova is firmly determined to remain part of the free world. The freedom and the dignity of our people make us a country with a strong European identity, which we deeply value. Moldova is a European country, with a European language, a European history, and a European political system.

The Republic of Moldova has had European aspirations since its independence was declared on 27 August 1991. Three years later, the EU-Moldova Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was signed. In 2014, the EU- Moldova Association Agreement, including a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, strengthened Moldova’s political and economic ties with the European Union even more. By signing this agreement, Moldova committed to reforming its domestic policies based on EU laws and practices. In April 2014, Moldova became the first country in the Eastern Partnership to benefit from a visa- free regime. Since then, more than 2.5 million Moldovan citizens with a biometric passport have travelled to the Schengen Area without a visa, which has fostered tourism, business relations, and people-to-people contacts.

…and the most important advancement took place this year…

Certainly. In March, the Republic of Moldova submitted the application for membership of the European Union, and on 23 June 2022 the European Council granted us the candidate status. The Council will decide on further steps, including opening of accession negotiations, once all conditions specified in the Commission‘s opinion on the membership application are fully met.

The fact that the Moldova candidate status decision was taken quite soon after its application clearly reveals the support of all EU member states for the European perspective of my country.

I believe the Czech Republic belongs among these supporting EU countries. Can you explain some benefits resulting from Moldova’s integration into the EU?

Indeed, the Czech support for Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union was clearly stated during the official visit of the Moldovan Minister of Foreign affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, to Prague in May 2022. The Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, also emphasized that Moldova’s European aspirations will be supported during the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022.

By carrying out this ambitious EU integration agenda, the Republic of Moldova benefits from substantial EU support. The European Union supports Moldova on its democratic path, the aspirations of our people to live in peace and prosperity, integrating the country into the EU single market, and enhancing sectoral cooperation. Some important effects refer to the increased diversification of markets for Moldova’s exports, with access to the enormous EU market. The EU is by far Moldova’s main trading partner, and accounts for 56% of its total trade – around 63% of Moldovan exports are destined for the EU market. It is also the largest investor in the country. Moldovan citizens are enjoying the visa liberalization for short-term stays.

How would you describe the status of Czechia-Moldova relations?

Diplomatic relations between our states were established 30 years ago, on 1 June 1992. We have enjoyed an excellent development of our mutual relations over the past three decades. The recent visits to Prague and to Chișinău by the two foreign ministers, Nicu Popescu and Jan Lipavský, highlighted the existing relations of friendship and very good cooperation. The interparliamentary dialogue is advancing as well, including planned visits at the level of the Speaker of the Parliament. As I have already mentioned, another significant area of cooperation is the Czech support for Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union. In this regard, Prague will be visited by several Moldovan high-level delegations during the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022. Indeed, an important aspect of my mandate as Ambassador in Prague is to enhance the Czech support for the European future of Moldova. Bilateral trade and investment have increased over the years. The volume of Moldovan-Czech trade reached 194 million USD in 2021. The biggest Czech investment in the Republic of Moldova is a major company in the energy sector.

The Republic of Moldova is one of the priority countries for the Czech development assistance, focused on the sustainable management of natural resources, good governance, inclusive social development, agriculture, and rural development. The Moldovan authorities appreciated also the valuable Czech aid to meet challenges of the large inflow of Ukrainian refugees in our country in recent months.

On this occasion, let me reiterate that the Republic of Moldova has condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, is providing help to the refugees from the neighboring Ukraine and will continue with humanitarian support.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started on 1 July 2022. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

We appreciate the continuing Czech support for Moldova’s European aspirations. Following the recent decision to grant Moldova the EU candidate status, there will be a more active participation of Moldovan officials at the Czech presidency events. In July, Moldovan officials attended the informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs (EU JHA) ministers, the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union, and the Eastern Partnership Youth Conference. A major result was the launch of the “EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova” by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs, in the margins of the informal EU JHA. The Embassy is anticipating the participation of the Foreign Minister and other Moldovan officials and experts at the EU meetings hosted by the Czech Republic during the forthcoming months of 2022.

This interview is taken on the occasion of the National Day of Moldova. Can you share your wishes for both Moldova and Czechia?

The Republic of Moldova declared its independence on 27 August 1991. Since then, Moldova has consolidated its democratic political system, developed its international relations, and made significant advances towards its European future. The June 2022 European Council decision to grant the candidate status to Moldova is the most important progress of the year.

I wish the Republic of Moldova and its citizens much success on our European path and the fulfillment of our aspirations to live in peace and prosperity. I wish for the Czech Republic to accomplish its EU Presidency objectives, and also wish peace and wellbeing for its citizens.

“A true media professional has only one master – the reader”

Veselin Vačkov, Managing Editor at LIDOVÉ NOVINY

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Not many people know Czech media better than Veselin Vačkov, the managing editor of the country’s oldest daily LIDOVÉ NOVINY. A quarter of a century ago, he started writing for the paper as a foreign correspondent from the Balkans and the UK. Later, he went through several editorial positions to end up at the very top one in 1999. Surprisingly, he made a career in Czech media without being Czech himself. Born in Bulgaria, he came to Prague in the late eighties to study at Charles University. He continued his studies at Oxford University, and achieved a PhD degree in computational linguistics. Today, he does not regret his decision to substitute academia for the newsroom. He believes strict professionalism is the answer to the challenges and pressures the media faces today: “A media pro has only one master – the reader, viewer, or listener.”

You started a career in academia but then changed direction. What made you become a journalist and editor?

I feel a huge respect towards scholars and scientists. Both my parents were university professors. However, working in academia seemed to my younger self in the nineties a bit too solitary and lacking clear perspective. Journalism – especially back then – offered much more dopamine. Yet, my academic training influenced my approach to journalism. I have always been interested in the power of language. As a scholar I studied the way it is structured and generated, while as a journalist I use its potential to influence people’s thinking. Especially in Europe, languages are absolutely central to our culture and identities. Working in journalism for me is an experiment in applied sociolinguistics. I really enjoy it.

You run the oldest Czech newspaper, but you are not Czech. How did you master the language?

I came to Prague in 1988 to study at Charles University.

I was almost 20 years old then, and did not speak a word of Czech. In theory, it was too late to achieve native speaker’s proficiency at this age. It took a lot of hard work, and apparently a grain of talent. I spent one whole prep year at a Czech language academy run by the university. After school, I regularly bought the evening newspaper “Večerní Praha” and read the whole of it, including the sports and crime sections. This helped me a lot. Socializing with my Czech schoolmates was also crucial.

With his wife Blanka on this year’s Karlovy Vary film festival

You started working for LIDOVÉ NOVINY in the nineties. How much have the newspaper and the mass media as a whole changed since then? Do you feel it was a change for the better?

When I started working in the newsroom, the paper was black and white, and the internet was something only geeks were interested in. Under my watch, LIDOVÉ NOVINY moved into full colour print, launched several supplements, magazines, and most importantly the news site Lidovky.cz. The internet and the digital distribution of news content were game changers in the industry. Unfortunately, old media embraced the internet without any clear business plans, giving away valuable content for free and not investing in technology. Tech giants invaded the media market and rewrote the rules. Old media houses lost revenue and influence. At first, it was heralded by many as a process of democratization of the media landscape. Today we know that it had a downside – fake news, atomization of the society, political discord.

You don’t sound very optimistic.

Not at all. Many consumers rediscover the value of quality journalism done in newsrooms with rules, standards, and responsibility. Yes, it is costly and not all content can be offered for free. More and more readers are willing to pay for good content on the internet. We offer a subscription on our website Lidovky.cz as part of the iDNES Premium paid service. The total number of its subscribers surpassed one hundred thousand in April. This makes me optimistic about the future of traditional media brands.

What is your role as managing editor?

I have one foot in the editorial office and the other in the publishing house. Together with the chief editor, I set the agenda on a weekly and daily basis: which main stories we are going to pursue or who we are going to interview, what will end up on the front page, or what should be the paper’s position on important issues. Sometimes I even choose front-page photos and the main headline. This is the part of my job I still immensely enjoy after so many years.

The rest of my responsibilities concern the bottom line of all the media, under the brand of LIDOVÉ NOVINY: the printed newspaper, the website Lidovky.cz, and our magazines Pátek and Esprit. It means taking care of hiring and firing, marketing plans, events, important advertising clients, etc. As LIDOVÉ NOVINY is part of MAFRA, one of the biggest media groups in the country, many of these activities are shared between brands. This makes coordination even more important.

During your long career, the owners of the newspaper have changed several times. How difficult is it to resist the owners’ pressure and defend journalistic integrity? Do you sometimes feel like you are in Carlo Goldoni’s comedy “The Servant of Two Masters“?

A true media professional has only one master – the reader. Owners and editors come and go, media brands remain. LIDOVÉ NOVINY is a strong legacy brand, and our readers have very clear expectations. If we do not meet them, the readers will simply leave us. No owner or editor wants this.

In your opinion, will print survive? Will there be printed media 25 years from now?

The future is digital. In the last 25 years, I have observed the rise of digital media and it is unstoppable. This doesn’t necessarily mean that print will totally disappear. For example, well-profiled niche magazines like yours will be around for many years to come. Printed daily newspapers are in a more difficult situation. For them, digital transformation is the key. 25 years from now, there may not be a printed LIDOVÉ NOVINY anymore, but I’m positive that its media brand will exist in different form.

Can you give some advice to the next generation of journalists?

I would prefer not to. I was given no advice myself and learned the craft by experience. This is the best way for anyone who really wants to be a journalist.

The Czech Republic took over the presidency of the EU Council in July. It is an important and demanding task for the Czech government. How do you expect it will be handled?

The EU presidency could be a white elephant for any national government – it is big and prestigious, but the maintenance costs are rather high. I do not mean the financial costs, but the political ones. If the government becomes too preoccupied with European matters, the voters may gain the impression that it does not care enough for domestic issues. Especially in dire economic times as the ones we live in. To answer your question, I believe the Czech government, and especially the Czech diplomats, will handle the presidency well. The more interesting question for me is – what will the political costs be?

What do you do in your free time?

I am a long-distance runner – figuratively and literally. I run almost every morning, five or six times per week to be more precise. I used to run marathons and half marathons in the past, but later on I adapted my routine to my age and time constraints. Now, I run shorter tracks but on a regular basis. The body and mind benefits are immense. In addition, my wife and I are frequent opera and cinemagoers.

“I represent the people of Afghanistan in a difficult time”

H.E. Shahzad Gul Aryobee, Ambassador of Afghanistan

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Shahzad Gul Aryobee has been the Ambassador of Afghanistan to the Czech Republic since September 2019, and it was his decision to serve the suffering Afghan people right here. Before his current assignment, he was the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Afghanistan, and also worked with Afghanistan ́s World Bank, USAID, and UN systems for 14 years. This interview is not an easy one, however, the Ambassador does not give up. “The Embassy of Afghanistan in Prague still represents the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, flies a three-color national flag, and I am an accredited Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Czech Government,” he says.

I have already introduced you briefly in the opening paragraph – can you add some more details about yourself, please?

Well, I am from the remote area of Zazi Aryob of the Paktia province, and I am currently stationed in your country.

I am here representing the people of Afghanistan in this difficult time, trying to maintain and promote friendly economic, commercial, and cultural relations among nations.

Before that, I served as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and as the Executive Chairman of the Afghan Telecom board in Kabul, Afghanistan.

I am also the founder of the Asan Khedmat project, a one-stop shop for public services that I led under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance. In addition, I served for about 14 years with Afghanistan’s WB, USAID, and UN systems. I have an advanced degree in Business Administration and IT. Along with my responsibilities as head of the diplomatic mission, I have obtained a Master of Art (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics – PPE) from CEVRO Institute Prague. I have a Language Proficiency Certification in English, speak my native Pashto, am fluent in Dari, speak Urdu, and understand Arabic.

Can you describe the situation that brought you from the Kabul government to the Prague embassy?

As I mentioned earlier, I was the minister for two years… and during that time, I had difficulties aligning with some major issues. I therefore submitted my resignation from the minister position. Our former President, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, nominated me as Ambassador and as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; however, it was I who selected the Czech Republic as the country of my tenure. I began my mission on 26 September 2019, and presented my credentials to Mr. Miloš Zeman, His Excellency President of the Czech Republic.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years. What ties can you see that connect our two countries?

In the past, Afghanistan and former Czechoslovakia’s historical political and trade relations from 1928 laid the groundwork for the signing of a friendship agreement between the two countries. Czechoslovakia opened its political representation in Afghanistan in 1949, and on 24 July 1960 it upgraded these political representations to the level of embassies.

Recently, both countries had intensive cooperation in the air force and military sphere. I was pleased to see that both the Czech government and the private sector perceived Afghanistan positively. We were working on many economic and defense cooperation projects. Economic contact was already a long-standing tradition, with increased interest among Afghan officials and private entities to strengthen the positive trend in trade exchange. We envisioned that the trade could develop more robust and better relations. We found the Czech Republic to be a good market for dry fruits, organic crops, unique handicrafts, and the mineral resources of Afghanistan.

A high-level delegation visited Prague, and Afghan traders were ready to export products that meet the highest world and EU standards. Vice versa, Afghanistan could be an ideal place for technology, machinery, and investment from the Czech Republic.

I would also like to mention the fact that the Czech Republic trained 420 Afghan pilots in Pardubice, and that the Czech Army was a part of the ISAF forces and Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The Czech police forces had also been training their Afghan counterparts. Unfortunately, in August 2021, Afghanistan’s republican system dramatically collapsed, and our planned economic and defense cooperation and activities stopped.

What exactly is the current status of Czechia-Afghanistan relations?

For the last two decades, the Czech Republic has been actively involved in Afghanistan, both at the bilateral level and as a NATO member, contributing to development and security cooperation. Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan last year, no country in the world has recognized its government, including the Czech Republic. However, so far, the Czech Republic still has its Ambassador for Afghanistan based in Prague and has a humanitarian aid package for the people of Afghanistan. Sad to say though, Afghanistan is no longer among the Czech foreign-policy priorities. The Embassy of Afghanistan in Prague still represents the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, flies a three-color national flag, and I am the accredited Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Czech Government.

It has been almost a year since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. How do you analyze the existing economic, security, and political situation in your country?

After one year, there is still no clarification on the country’s fundamental issues, such as the constitution, internal legitimacy, international recognition, and state structure. There is concern about the security situation, including the latest threats and attacks. The resurgence of ISIS-K and the resumption of the bloody war and blasts in Afghanistan are major concerns. Another concern is that the so-called second wave of resistance has already announced the activities of its anti-Taliban fighters. Another highly prominent issue is the economy. Afghanistan faces a development crisis. There is no basic plan for economic development that would allow for economic growth, employment, eradication of hunger, and provision of basic public services. Unemployment has risen, and people are frustrated. If we analyze the political situation, the fact is that the Taliban has made no effort for good governance and mutual accountability. They have not taken any steps to involve the people in decision-making, and have not provided a dignified life and environment for all individuals. The Taliban government has not yet gained internal legitimacy nor taken any concrete steps (towards one). They do not try integrating the available water management, mining, and trade resources. Some embassies opened in Kabul, the Taliban had engaged with the international community, and still has an office in Doha, Qatar, for dialogue.

What do you expect from the future and the world?

We have so many lessons learned in the last four decades; therefore, we must avoid repeating past mistakes. I believe that, through dialogue, there is a way for reconciliation and political settlement to reach a lasting peace and stability. At the same time, there is also an opportunity to prevent the country’s economy from collapsing, and from more violence occurring. If the government goes into isolation it will be impossible to save the country from civil war, and the country will once again become a center of terrorism and extremism.

To end the current crisis, establish a legitimate government at the national and international level, use the vast potential of human energy, and prevent the loss of economic opportunities for Afghanistan and the region, the international community must meditate to open a new chapter of dialogue with the Taliban’s caretaker government. The Afghans are tired of war and terrorism. War, resistance, and internal conflict do not solve the country’s current problems and challenges but will once again pave the way to civil war, terrorism, and extremism. Therefore, we can see the only way out being through a dialogue addressing the current crisis, issues, and conflict in Afghanistan. The inter-Afghan negotiations require mediation, strong support, and coordination of Afghanistan’s neighbors, regional and international partners, the UN, OIC, and other relevant organizations. Only then will we be able to reach a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

On top of all this, a few weeks ago, Afghanistan suffered from a large magnitude earthquake that caused many casualties. What is the humanitarian situation now?

Afghanistan already faces negative development, and the humanitarian crisis has affected a large percentage of the population. The latest devastating earthquake and its strong tremors in June struck mainly the Paktika and Khost provinces. In these areas, people had already suffered from a series of natural disasters, severe droughts, and a severe lack of critical infrastructure. As a result, the earthquake killed over 1,000 people, 1,600 were injured, and 2,600 homes were reportedly destroyed and damaged. Yes, most countries and some international organizations announced their humanitarian aid, some of which were delivered and some of which are still on the way. The Czech NGO People in Need pledged five million CZK, and at the same time we have officially requested (assistance from) the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but have not received their response yet.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. Please, use this opportunity and make a wish.

On 19 August 1919, King Ghazi Amanullah Khan made great history and officially achieved independence from the then British government, recognizing Afghanistan as an independent country. I can’t forget that, despite the country’s insecurity and wars, the government and civilians have always proudly celebrated this day with great respect, grand ceremony, and national traditions. I have no idea whether or not there will be any national day celebrations this year, but the day certainly is in everyone’s hearts. Everyone knows the value of the country’s freedom and will always keep it fresh by passing it on to future generations. Regarding my wish, well, I wish to live in a free, peaceful, stable Afghanistan, and have our three-color national flag be raised in ceremonies throughout the country again.

I wish to organize the national Attan dance, and host a special reception at the Embassy. Right now, the Czech Republic is holding the presidency of the EU Council, which means that it can play an important role by supporting Afghanistan during its humanitarian crisis, finding the way towards economic cooperation, and mediating for political resettlement.

“We have to adopt dozens of European directives – swiftly”

Michal Šalomoun, Minister of Legislation of the Czech Republic

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Governments do not usually start from scratch, since a “gift” in the form of a list of inherited pressing problems awaits them in office, left behind by their predecessors. The same applies to the Minister of Legislation, Michal Šalomoun, who is now tackling the issue of European directives not being implemented into Czech law by the set deadline. Why is this problem so alarming, you may ask? As it is so often, the answer can be answered with only one word – money. Or, as the minister explains in more detail: “If we do nothing, it may cost the Czech Republic several hundred million to two billion CZK in fines.”

“Diverse perspectives and diverse networks are key to finding innovative, durable solutions to global problems”

H.E. Ayesha P. Rekhi, Ambassador of Canada

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Canadians are widely known for their tolerant, fair play, and peace-loving attitude. Living mostly in modern urban areas, they are used to open-minded interaction with people of different ethnic and social backgrounds on daily basis. Mrs. Ayesha P. Rekhi, Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, shows in our interview the very essence of this approach. She herself comes from an immigrant Indian family with a history of human rights activities, assures us of Canada’s strong support of Ukrainian independence, and appreciates the warm feelings that Czechs have for Canada and for Canadians.

Can you tell us a few words about yourself, please?

Mine is a very Canadian story – my parents immigrated to Canada from India for the freedom to marry, and Canada gave them that. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and have lived, worked, and studied all over the world. I am a career diplomat and have served as Canada’s ambassador to the Czech Republic since 2019. And like many of the readers of your magazine, aside from my professional role, I am also a parent and a spouse.

Was becoming ambassador your dream profession?

I have always been passionate about the human dimensions of international affairs, and knew early on that I wanted to work on issues around peace, security, equality, and human rights. As a child of immigrants, studying the world was also a way to connect to my family’s culture and history. My specific interest in human rights is, I think, in my DNA. My grandmother was organizing peace meetings for Mahatma Gandhi in 1940s India, and well into her 70s she was still active in areas around disability rights and other issues. And so, my role models from a young age demonstrated a value in public service and equality.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve Canada at this level, and an opportunity for me to contribute to a country that has given me and my family so much opportunity. That being said, when I joined the Canadian foreign service over 20 years ago I did not think about becoming an ambassador. In practical terms, “you cannot be what you cannot see”, and at that time there frankly weren’t many role models for me – women with children with my ethnic background, doing this work at this level. That has changed. Today, fifty per cent of Canada’s ambassadors are women – experienced, skilled diplomats who are also women.

You have been serving in our country for three years now. What common points between the Czechs and Canadians do you see?

There are so many highlights to my time here, underscored by our strong people-to-people links and shared priorities in areas like defense and security. I could speak about our shared love of hockey, or the many impressive leaders I have met across sectors, including in business, NGOs, culture, and academia. Most of my posting has been during the challenging periods of the pandemic, followed by the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During these times I have been reminded over and over again how lucky I am to be serving as Canada’s ambassador to the Czech Republic. When I arrived in 2019, I was struck by the genuine friendship and warm feelings that Czechs have for Canada and for Canadians. Those demonstrations of friendship and support, big and small, continued during the pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic, I remember our Czech colleague arriving at the embassy with hand-sewn masks for all of us. Like so many Czechs he and his family wanted to ensure that friends and neighbors stayed healthy and safe. More recently, I have been genuinely moved by the generosity of thousands of Czechs who opened their homes to Ukrainians. Canada of course joins the Czech Republic in its strong support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. At the embassy, we have also tried to do our part – from volunteering our time to fix furniture and clean a garden space to help Ukrainian families feel a bit more comfortable and at home, to supporting Canada’s special visa program for Ukrainians, which allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe to return home.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

Among the most difficult parts of diplomatic life is being far from home. While this life offers amazing professional and personal opportunities, including the chance to really be immersed in different cultures, languages, and traditions, it is tough to be away from family. This is something that I know many of us have felt during the pandemic, when we were unable to travel for health and safety reasons.

As an experienced diplomat, what advice do you have for the next generation of ambassadors?

My advice would be to remain curious. Expose yourself to new people and ideas that challenge you and may even make you uncomfortable. I learned early on in my career the value of including diverse voices in analysis and decision-making. Among my first jobs in Ottawa was working in the area of Women, Peace, and Security. Through early work with Afghan women peacebuilders, I learned concretely how insights from those who were generally not part of formal decision-making tables could benefit communities and help me do my job better. Now, more than ever, diverse perspectives and diverse networks are key to finding innovative, durable solutions to the global problems we all confront.

Can you evaluate the status of Czechia-Canada relations?

Canada and the Czech Republic are friends, partners, and allies with vibrant political, trade, investment, security, academic, and cultural relations. We have a strong, positive, and productive bilateral relationship, based on shared values, as well as on our people-to-people ties, including the more than 100,000 Canadians with some Czech heritage. The warm welcome offered by Canada to Czechoslovak political refugees in 1948 and 1968, steadfast support for dissidents throughout the Communist period, as well as the support provided by Canada in the early 1990s when the Czech Republic was quickly modernizing, all bolster the bilateral relationship. Canada and the Czech Republic regularly cooperate in multilateral organizations, we are strong NATO allies, and we share many common values including support for human rights and democracy. To give two concrete examples, the Czech Republic is a member of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) intergovernmental network, which works to promote the human rights of LGBTI persons globally, and which Canada co-chaired from 2017 to 2019. The Czech Republic is also a member of the 50-member Media Freedom Coalition, which is co-chaired by Canada and advocates for media freedom and the protection of journalists.

On defense and security, Canada was one of the first countries to support the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO in 1999, which led to closer defense cooperation. Today, our soldiers serve shoulder-to-shoulder in the Canada-led multinational NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. And both our countries are among the leading supporters of Ukraine as it continues to face Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack. Canada, alongside the Czech Republic, is steadfast and strong in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council began on 1 July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, which is a G7 and NATO member, expecting?

Canada and the EU enjoy long-standing friendship and cooperation rooted in a shared commitment to stand up for the ideals of democracy, international security, and prosperity. The EU is a strategic partner for Canada, and we are keen to cooperate with the Czech Republic during the Czech EU Council Presidency on various files of common interest. Thanks to the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), we are now working more closely with the EU than ever across the whole policy spectrum, including of course working together on supporting Ukraine.

In the fall we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the CETA provisional application. Since CETA came into provisional force, we have seen a renaissance in the Canadian-Czech bilateral commercial relationship, with real mutual benefit. COVID slowed down the exchange significantly, but we already see an important uptick. In 2021, bilateral trade increased by 24.7% to reach the highest level of the past decade. In the January-May 2022 period, bilateral trade in- creased by a further 21% compared to the same period of time in 2021. This is a shared success that we will continue to grow.

Can we conclude with your wish for our countries, Canada and Czechia?

The months ahead will continue to have their challenges for both of our countries, and my hope is that we continue to strengthen our partnership and cooperation so that we come closer to our shared goal of a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful future for us all.

“With our current political leadership the Czech Republic is in a good position”

Radek Špicar, Vice President of the Czech Confederation of Industry

Text: Martina Hošková and M.Zisso; Photo: Archive

“The Czech EU Presidency is clearly the top class priority”

Radka Wildová, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports

Text: Martina Hošková and Eva Anderová; Photo: Archive

“We are the largest Czech embassy in the world”

H.E. Edita Hrdá, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“I seek the points of common interest”

H.E. Juan Francisco Facetti, Ambassador of Paraguay

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Among all the ambassadors featured in this issue, the Ambassador of Paraguay, Juan Francisco Facetti, is the only one based not in Prague but in Vienna. However, he does also express the same admiration for our capital city of Prague, in his case accompanied by the same admiration towards the contribution of Czech researchers to science. He is a former Paraguayan minister of environment, and in Vienna he also serves as a permanent representative of Paraguay to the United Nations and other international organisations. Like many other educated and experienced personalities, he is quite modest to say: “I am no one to give any advice or counsel. I can only show our good and bad experiences.”

You are based in Vienna. Do you remember your first visit to the Czech Republic, and the impression you got from it?

I first visited Prague as a tourist in 2014. My wife and I came with a couple of friends to see the city and we fell in love with its life, history, and culture. In addition, for many years I had already known about and admired the contribution of Czech researchers to science, particularly organic chemistry with Loschmidt, biochemistry of carbohydrates with the Cori husband and wife team who won the Nobel in 1947, and analytical chemistry with Heyrovský, who developed an instrument that allowed us to detect adulterations in food.

To change the subject a bit, my first hunting gun was a CZ Brno bolt rifle, which I still have to this day because of its reliability and accuracy. I have always followed the technological development of defence production in the Czech Republic, and I admire how it remains on the frontier of innovation.

What was your path to becoming an ambassador and has it influenced your priorities?

What allowed me to develop skills in this matter was the combination of my education in environmental chemistry, being a researcher in this field, and having experience in foreign affairs – science diplomacy in particular. Of course, the communion with the vision of the government regarding multilateral issues dealt with from Vienna, alongside the bilateral agenda to be promoted with the concurrent countries (also from Vienna) is necessary.

There are areas that require more effort than others, however. I have given high priority to the promotion and development of bilateral relations in terms of strengthening ties between public and private research and innovation institutions, as well as the academy. It is something very natural for me and I can see, thanks to the experience I have had working with European universities, what the points of common interest are between European and Paraguayan universities in terms of mobility of scholars, researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students.

Which step of your career do you perceive as being the most adventurous?

For me, the greatest and best adventure in life is to pursue personal and professional achievements. In that sense, I have had several very positive and enriching adventures or experiences in each country I have lived and worked in. In Belgium, consolidating my marriage, since I arrived there to do my postgraduate studies having just gotten married to my wife. In Paraguay, developing laws, tools, and institutions that made it possible to stop the deforestation of the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest and conducting research on environmental pollutants that affect aquifers, which enabled us to ban their use. In El Salvador, living so comfortably among people who have such a great love for God and family. In Haiti, meeting very humble people with a deep love for themselves, with a very rich culture. In Ecuador, discovering a country so rich in culture and biodiversity – the same can be said of Bolivia.

Should I point out the single weirdest thing I have ever experienced, it would be the human mind. It is a challenge to understand the positions and interests of rulers and negotiators of states in order to, from there, take the necessary steps to favour decision-making and also defend the interests of my country.

How would you describe the status of Czech – Paraguay relations?

The diplomatic ties between the Czech Republic and Paraguay date back to 1936, when the Central-Eastern European country was still known as Czechoslovakia. Since 1991, and with the signing of a joint communiqué, Paraguay and the Czech Republic have been deepening their relations and expanding cooperation in all areas such as commerce, culture, education, sciences, sports, and tourism.

Since 2016, our countries have been working on further consolidating our commercial and cooperation ties. There is huge interest in accessing unexplored areas of each country‘s markets and becoming stronger partners in the existing ones. In this regard, Paraguay‘s policies have been evolving to facilitate foreign investment, which has sparked the interest of Czech companies.

We are also working on expanding cooperation with the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding in order to allow scientific and technical cooperation, as well as educational and professional exchanges, between renowned Czech and Paraguayan institutions.

You are a former minister of environment and an expert on environmental issues. What advice would you give the Czech Republic in this regard?

I am really sorry, but I am no one to give any advice or counsel (on this topic). I can only show our good and bad experiences and lessons learned on several issues, related in particular to our wealth, which is linked to the four pillars of competitiveness. In this matter, Paraguay has three pillars of abundance: rich natural resources, clean energy, and an ideal climate for agricultural production and cattle raising. The fourth pillar is having social capital that will allow us to develop knowledge, while maintaining and exercising principles, values, and ethics. From this emerges the importance of the Czech Republic’s model of education and productivity.

You are also the author of the Paraguay national nuclear law, and between 2012 and 2013 were the National Defence Council’s director general for science and technology. Do you see any hazards in this area due to the war in Ukraine?

Of course, we are living in challenging times. Paraguay has expressed its concern regarding the serious risk posed by the lack of control over nuclear and radioactive materials from the Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl nuclear power plants by the Ukrainian regulatory authorities. My country has advocated, and will continue doing so, for the peaceful re- solution of the crisis and for the involved parties to choose the path of diplomacy, following the current internationally recognized mechanisms. In the multilateral fora, Paraguay co-sponsored the UNGA Resolutions ES-11/1 and ES-11/2, and has also supported the resolution regarding the suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council.

This interview was done on the occasion of Paraguay’s National Day. What would you wish your country? And for the Czech Republic?

My wish for both countries is that we continue with the same resolve to build, safeguard, and develop our counries in the spirit of the sanctity of human dignity and freedom. I wish that we remain free societies enjoying equal rights, and that we remain conscious of our duties towards each other and our responsibility towards the community and future generations, based on respect for human rights and the principles of civility.

“Times are even busier than we expected”

Lukáš Dolanský, EU Correspondent at Česká televize

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“Welcome to the crossroad of large market transformations”

David Pátek, Founder and CEO of NEECO

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“We are the ministry of values and the future”

Václav Velčovský, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“Diplomats are experts in many fields”

H.E. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Zuzana Hubinková

I have chosen Croatia as my summer holiday destination quite a few times, which obviously makes me a typical Czech. I sure did enjoy the sea and atmosphere in Poreč, Pula, Omiš, and elsewhere.

It is my pleasure to give space to the Croatian ambassador Ljiljana Pancirov on the pages of our magazine so that we can learn about her diplomatic experience in our country, think about her advice to the new generation of ambassadors, and feel flattered when she appreciates our care of Czech cultural heritage. The ambassador herself feels that “it was my destiny to come to this very country as an ambassador”.

Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and the rich professional background you have developed so far?

I was born in Zagreb and have lived in that wonderful city all my life, except when I accepted my diplomatic duties. I have had experiences in Den Haag, the Netherlands; Helsinki, Finland (while also covering Estonia); then Pécs, Hungary; and I am now placed in Prague. My main education is in humanities, literature, and languages, with an additional flavour of economics, which I took as my postgraduate choice for some time.

Should I go into more detail about my rich professional background, as you say, I can mention several assignments. For years, I worked in the international science project management during the wartime as a personal secretary to the President of the Republic. I then became a director of international relations at Zagreb University, and finally entered the diplomatic service in the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs. Our state was young in the 1990s and we were creating our own, modern, Croatian diploma- tic service. In the ministry I was heading a Department for Northern and Western Countries, a Department for Diplomatic Education at the Diplomatic Academy, and a Department for Analytics and Policy Planning – a varity of different topics, all being an excellent basis for the work abroad that followed. In diplomacy, one has to be an expert not only in politics and economy, but also in education, culture, security, the IT sector, and many other very specific fields.

I am also a proud mother to my daughter Željana and my son in law Rutger, who, as a Dutchman, brought an intercultural environment to our family. My biggest love and creatures that adore me most are my grandchildren, Mara and Tigo. Whoever read Babička by Božena Němcová would understand our relationship and the importance of a granny’s love.

How do you perceive your long diplomatic work experience? Has it changed you as a person?

Let me start deep back in history. As I have already mentioned, I was born in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where the first Bishop in the 11th century was Duh, the first known Czech in Zagreb. We might say that in his personality we have the beginning of Croatian and Czech ties and a friendship between the two nations that has lasted for centuries, even today. Indisputably, my destiny was to come to this very country, Czechia, and be a Croatian representative on the level of ambassador.

Since I come from the continental part of Croatia under the influence of the Central European cultural circle, it is no wonder that living in Prague made my life comfortable and nice, and that I have felt at home since the very first days of my mandate. When you are an ambassador in a country with which there are no open political issues then you have an easy job to keep the relations going smoothly and in a friendly mood. During my long career I have been a high ranked diplomat, then Chargé d’Affaires for over a year, a Consul General, and finally an ambassador. I call it the crown of my diplomatic achievements, and highly appreciate the position. My personality is the same as it was before, I like to keep it unchanged, but the feeling that you can make the final decision, even take the responsibility for it, makes you proud of your accumulated experience leading you in the right direction and to the final positive results. When everything is finished, when all the titles go and the red carpet vanishes, what is left behind is the judgement of you, the memories you created with your collaborators, colleagues, and friends, and yes, if positive, this is the most precious feeling that overwhelms you.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you share some of your impressions?

As I have already said, Czechia is deep in my heart and is very familiar to me and my mentality. The Coronavirus prevented me from travelling around more than I really wanted, but I still saw various parts of this beautiful country. I am impressed with how all the castles and fortresses are well kept, and I have a feeling that every town has one. Prague is beyond any imagination. I read legends about its secret places; I like to wander through its narrow streets, to enjoy the sound of the Vltava, and to mingle through the parks and green areas. My special love is South Moravia. Our autochthonous minority (Moravian Croats live around Mikulov and Břeclav and came to this area in 1533) live in this beautiful and vivid area, which is very similar to their primary homeland.

Relations between the two countries are excellent, stable, and unburdened with open issues, based on common cultural heritage, historical experience, and respect for common European values. The economic cooperation has intensified in recent years, including big investment projects, but the economic field always gives space for further enhancement. We have very active minorities who are among many bonds that bring us closer. Czechs in Croatia are the most active Czech minority outside the Czech Republic..

H.E. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia

Croatia is the biggest holiday destination for Czech people. How do you, as an ambassador, help promote your country?

Czech people actually established tourism in Croatia at the end of the 19th century. Have a look at the short Jiří Menzel’s documentary Vaše moře, naše moře and you will learn a lot about the history of the tourist industry. What I am saying by this is that the Czechs know Croatia, Croatian people, and basically our tourist potential. Anyway, I still give a lot of interviews in various media outlets, talk at tourist presentations, and use every opportunity to inform people about how beautiful, safe and reliable we as a tourist destination are. War operations in the 1990s, Coronavirus lockdown – nothing could have prevented our Czech friends from coming and enjoying summers at the Adriatic. Nowadays, you are becoming exclusive tourists. We want the Czechs to be present more and more throughout the whole year, not only at the seaside but also the inland of the country. We welcome the fact that many Czechs decided to become investors in Croatia.

We go on holiday to Croatia, what do you do during your free time in our country?

Being an ambassador does not give you a lot of free time, even during weekends. Surrounded by people all the time, in the office, at social gatherings, gives you little time for yourself. These precious personal moments I keep for my closest friends and for me, myself. I believe I am a good cook. I like various kinds of music, getting emotional peace by reading books, and enjoying natural beauty. Nordic walking is a welcome activity and reminds me of my Finnish times.

Can you give some advice to the next generations of ambassadors?

My piece of advice follows my lifeline behaviour, and it says: “Be human, remain what you really are, study all your life because knowledge is upgraded every minute and you have to be in. Do not think that you are above others, you are just first among equals. Do not look at other people von oben, every person is a value by itself, which might at some time be valuable to you too. Ambassadors are a kind of managers, but in order to be good and successful ones they have to have the right information and a wide knowledge. The richness of personality is of utmost importance. And above all, they have to be respectable. Just a pose, does not count”.

The EU presidency of the Czech Republic starts on 1 July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

Croatia, as the youngest European Union state (since 2013) started presiding over the EU Council in the first part of 2020 and succeeded in solving European issues in the best possible way. It was a very complicated time burdened with the start of the Covid pandemic and its consequences worldwide, and at the same time Croatia was struck by an earthquake. Czechia is preparing very seriously for the presidency, and I believe that the results will be the best possible. War in Ukraine and the energy crises will be among the main topics for sure. Croatia is always open to sharing its presidential experiences with its Czech friends.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. What are your wishes in this regard?

On 30th May 1990 the first democratically elected multiparty state parliament was constituted and therefore this date we celebrate as a Croatian National Day. The year 2022 has an additional meaning as we also celebrate 30 years of the international recognition of the Republic of Croatia, starting on 12th January when the European Community recognized Croatia, and many other countries followed. It has been very important to us because Croatia had a difficult path to freedom and suffered irreparable losses during the war. My wish for peace, stable democracy and security, economic prosperity, and peoples’ wellbeing goes to my own country, but also to all of the likeminded states.

“The accommodation market is not saturated”

Zdeněk Kovařík, Head of Hospitality, Julius Meinl Living

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

When I moved to Prague more than twenty years ago, my first apartment was at Senovážné náměstí square, just a few buildings from the new Julius. Now, in these turbulent times we all are going through, they are introducing a new serviced residence concept in Prague, which I instantly became very curious about. The best way to find out was to speak with Zdeněk Kovařík, head of hospitality at Julius Meinl Living.

How has the last two years impacted the tourism sector and the plans for The Julius?

The last two years have been full of challenges for the tourism sector. The arrival of Covid, the “Stay Safe” initiative from the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Czech Republic, the joy of summer 2020, the reduction in travel again, and now finally launching The Julius; the last two years have involved lots of ups and downs but also lots of opportunity for us to further develop our concept. We now have more faith than ever and strongly believe in a customer desire for an experience that offers the best of hotel and apartment living in one. We are launching a unique project that we are truly proud of.

During this challenging period, you personally were busy and preoccupied with a a new project, introducing a fresh concept to the market…

During the Coronavirus pandemic I agreed to implement a unique serviced residence project with the representatives of House of Julius Meinl. Their project ‘The Julius’ really appealed to me because it is exclusive both in terms of implementation and design, as well as in operation with the aim to maximize the guest ́s satisfaction. The choice of location, the fusion of technology and tradition, the emphasis on first-class personified service, and cooperation with world-famous architects and designers from the Matteo Thun studio in Milan, all were the reason for me to start this collaboration.

Isn‘t the market already saturated? Is The Julius really coming up with a brand new vision?

Yes, we are introducing the next generation in the accommodation services sector. We are offering a new standard based on a history of tradition in service and quality. The Julius won’t be just another place for sleepovers, but a place for being and living instead. At The Julius, wherever you visit it, you experience a mix of accessible luxury, location, and service.

To answer your question though, I do not think the accommodation market is saturated. For the past two years, many providers were tested for stability. The market got partially cleaned up, and this season, affected by the crisis in Ukraine, will further refine the market. Only concepts with added value will remain. The second apartment rented out in the Airbnb scheme will not be such a golden-egg laying goose as it used to be before 2020.

The guests keep demanding more and more. What is the added value in The Julius?

We are in the 21st century, so it is an elegant and natural combination of technological amenities with a human approach. Now, the guest can arrange a number of things online during the time of stay search, the booking itself, before the check-in, or during the stay. Still, it is the attentive staff that makes the stay an unforgettable experience. If preferred, guests can do the obligatory administrative tasks separately. Our staff is keen to assist them, but our staff is there to provide the best possible service with a personal attitude to all guests. The Julius guests should “feel home away from home“. Feel comfortable, safe, and among people who understand them. In The Julius, technology does not represent the workforce; on the contrary, it underscores the capabilities and experiences of our team and the ceturies-proven services of House of Julius Meinl. The guest has the opportunity to choose the level, from the range of services provided, that is best, most suitable, and most natural for them.

What’s unique is The Julius’s location. In Prague, we believe in the potential of the area between The Main and Masaryk railway stations. The architectural and interior design and completion of our house are simply breathtaking. Matteo Thun‘s studio did an incredible job – combining old with new, technology with tradition. We wanted to encourage and highlight the local craft tradition. Another unique feature is the crystal chandelier from Czech glass producer Preciosa, which hangs across all floors in the main staircase.

Your professional story, one could say, is connected to the lands of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Well, you are right. During the last 20 years, I have had the opportunity to be part of or lead hospitality teams not only in the Czech Republic, but also in Croatia and Bulgaria. Business development is my favourite discipline, and I managed a portfolio of accommodation locations across six towns in five countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, and the Czech Republic. The locations are just spots on the map. Wherever you are, hospitality always depends on the team that you assemble. The team is a key component. People are essential and I really enjoy setting the teams for The Julius Prague and our other operations. My colleagues have real passion and enthusiasm for their work and a common shared vision. I am sure that the guests will positively experience this passion, enthusiasm, and commitment. That is the irreplaceable human factor. We all believe in it. And the Julius Meinl family has been proving it for over 160 years.

160 years… what a commitment!

Yes, their guest attitude fulfils the motto „How may I serve you?” The projects and businesses of the entire House of Julius Meinl are still synonymous with refinement, tradition, and quality. We want to continue that. Respectively, transfer the family motto to residential apartment housing – a guest will not find just another ordinary anonymous apartment in The Julius. On the contrary – guests will enjoy accessible luxury in modern inviting suites, meeting rooms, design shared space, a restaurant, a bar, or a top-class gym. And of course, parking with charging stations is available. If a guest prefers a contactless stay, we will comply. Our app will guide the guest through the entire stay. And a guest who wants to enjoy their stay being offline will appreciate our professional and helpful staff.

Will technology really guide a guest through their entire stay?

Exploiting the possibilities of modern technology should be common in new and innovative projects. The same way technology permeates our personal lives, it similarly does in hospitality. At The Julius, we are trying to be a step ahead. Set the direction and standard, simply giving the very best to the guests. As a matter of fact, we were the first to apply for the international certification of the quality of accommodation services in our residential housing segment. We, at The Julius, have the ambition to become the first certified serviced residence with a guaranteed range of services in the Czech Republic.

Being a trendsetter is not easy, aren‘t you afraid of the competition?

Definitely not, I see competition as something beneficial. And that is for both sides. It is always good to have something to learn from someone, take on those good practices and also learn from setbacks. There are still many areas to be developed in the hospitality sector. There is, for example, the concept of a circular and sustainable economy, support of local and regional producers, coexistence, and support of the local community. There are countless projects we can participate in and cooperate on. And we keep on searching for new projects. Our younger colleagues in particular have original and novel ideas.

So, your inspiration comes from the college students whom you lecture?

Actually, yes. They rarely come up with a coherent functioning concept, but their individual ideas, comments, and inquiries encourage me to further develop and move forward. I am constantly learning and gaining experience.

I humbly try to pass on my own experiences, encourage the students’ curiosity, and at the same time perceive the business environment in a broader context. There are many variables for a successful business. It always depends on an individual‘s ability, but it also depends on the support of their surroundings. Few world-famous entrepreneurs have done it all on their own. Mostly they had a team of colleagues or a family around them. A stable and supportive team (be it colleagues or a family) are essential to successful projects.

A family is not temporary, like most other things. Do you rely on family support too?

Without the cooperation, support and understanding of my wife and two wonderful daughters, I could not have imagined my current work commitment. We can support each other, but also be each other’s first critics. It goes for everyone, especially the children – they really do speak their mind. Coping with work and family life has been a major challenge for me over the past two years. Fortunately, with my family, we can enjoy our time together whether it’s doing sports, travelling, or spending time outdoors.

I must admit I really do spend a lot of time working on The Julius project. Just like in my family, at work we also experience perfect teamwork coordination, as well as misunderstandings, backing ups, and sometimes also disappointments. But that is exactly our team ́s strength. We can support each other, focus on the essentials, and move towards a common goal – to create an unforgettable guest experience at The Julius.

“Lawyer by training, Ambassador by fate”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands, the average yearly temperature is 26.6 °C, and its list of spoken languages reaches the number of 182. Sounds quite different from what we are used to in the Czech Republic, so how does a Filipino perceive our country when they arrive? “My first impression of the Czech Republic was one of a prosperous, industrialised country. Of course, I was not mistaken – for indeed, it is,” says the Philippine ambassador Ombra T. Jainal and goes on to explain how he became a diplomat, what the current state of the Czech-Philippine relations is, and what significant milestone awaits our two countries next year.

Can you tell us about yourself and your path to being an ambassador?

I am the eldest child of a lowly farmer and fisherman in the southernmost island municipality of the province of Sulu where education, including basic education, is very hard to avail of. Married to Elsie Escandar Jainal, a nurse, who also comes from the same island municipality, we have nine grown-up and professional children, six of whom are already married. We have four grandchildren. So, you can imagine that in my free time, aside from exercising and reading, I often talk to my children and grandchildren by video call.

I became an ambassador by a stroke of fate. I am a lawyer by training, and never did I dream of becoming an ambassador. However, in 2016, when our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office, he made it known that he needed well-meaning people to join him in government. The rest is history.

When I hear “the Philippines”, an image appears in my mind of long beautiful beaches combined with an ongoing economic boom. What about your impression of the Czech Republic?

This is now my 4th year in the Czech Republic, and I will be ending my tour of duty on June 30th this year. My first impression of the Czech Republic was one of a prosperous, industrialised country. Of course, I was not mistaken – for indeed, it is.

It is also a beautiful country; with Prague as its capital, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

My children and grandchildren simply love the place, and travelling to some of the most beautiful places in the country is certainly a good adventure that I shall always remember. Aside from trade and commerce, tourism is one industry that has a big potential between the two countries.

With family

What is the strangest or the most difficult issue you have faced here?

Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic can be weird. Despite my age, in order to minimize the risk of infection, I climb the stairs instead of using the elevator. At 73, I am not supposed to climb the stairs, right?

Besides that, and modesty aside, I did not really find any difficulty to deal with. In fact, I have truly enjoyed doing my job as an ambassador, serving my country, helping the Filipinos in the Czech Republic, and in the process, meeting so many good people and making friends. It is my hope that bilateral meetings in various fields, e.g., political, defence, and economic, which were temporarily held off due to the pandemic, would finally resume this year and continue to be held in the upcoming years.

What is the current state of the Czech-Philippine relations?

The current state of the Philippine-Czech relations, I believe, is on a high note. Despite the physical distance between the two countries, and the challenges brought about to all of us by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still managed to enhance bilateral relations. When I started my tour of duty as an ambassador in July 2018, there were just a little more than a thousand Filipinos in the Czech Republic, but, today, despite the pandemic, there are already more than 3,500 Filipinos in the country. Czech companies value the contribution of Filipino workers towards their high productivity rates, which in turn contribute to the growth of the Czech economy.

There is also a steady number of Filipino students in the Czech Republic as a result of the academic cooperation agreements between Philippine and Czech universities.

This interview is on your national day. What do you wish your country on this special day? And what to the Czech Republic?

The Philippines obtained its independence on 12th June 1898; thus, we will be celebrating 124 years of independence this year. We have many reasons to celebrate, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic. First, we are close to attaining the 70% target of fully vaccinating our population; second, our economy is back on track and is expected to grow by 6% to 7% this year; and third, we just held our national and local elections – a free and democratic exercise that allowed Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad, to select our new leaders for the next six years.

As they are to reach an important milestone next year, that is, 50 years of diplomatic relations, I wish the Philippines and the Czech Republic will continue to enhance their economic relations, putting more emphasis on the complementarity of their available resource endowments that both could benefit from in terms of trade and investments. For example, the Czech Republic is a landlocked country while the Philippines, being an archipelago, is surrounded by large bodies of water. We recognize the strengths of the Czech Republic in natural sciences, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technical sciences. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to explore aside from the traditional trade in goods and services, such as in- vestments in marine science, technology, and innovation; research and educational exchange on conservation and preservation of water and marine resources; infrastructure related to connectivity; and maritime security.

“The situation requires extensive coordination”

Text: Martina Hošková and Eva Anderová; Photo: Archive

In the position of Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Aleš Chmelař oversees the relevant section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He earned a Master’s degree in EU economic and monetary policy, an EMU in London, and prior to his current position served as a former Czech state secretary for European affairs. He speaks English, French, and German.

What balance does he think the Czech Presidency has to ensure? How does he evaluate the trio program? And does he consider the Eastern Partnership Policy effective?

Regarding the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council, what do you foresee as its biggest challenges?

With war raging just behind the EU‘s border and with no clear-cut end in sight, we will have to work intensively on mitigating the consequences of the conflict. The EU as a whole needs to tackle (the war’s) effects on Ukraine and the wider Eastern neighbourhood, as well as on itself. Necessary assistance to Ukraine and continuous pressure on Russia require extensive EU Council coordination. The Presidency will have to ensure a good balance between crisis management connected to the war and work on long-term policy issues such as green and digital transition, deepening trade relations, and building up the EU‘s economic and security resilience in various domains.

Which councils, working groups, and committees will be chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Czech presidency?

The ministry will chair fewer working groups than during the previous Czech presidency, which took place before the Lisbon Treaty. We will be responsible for around fifteen working groups dealing with the EU ́s external policies, including enlargement, relations with Britain, EFTA and African countries, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation, as well as communitarian law and consular coordination. Many other Council‘s working groups covering foreign affairs are currently chaired by the External Action Service.

The EU member states supported a joint 18-month program of the upcoming presidency trio in December 2021. What are the key pillars of this program?

The trio is relatively unique in its divergence. It displays a wide range of interests covering the traditional geographical and historical cleavages of Europe. Despite the seeming heterogeneity of the trio, we managed to agree on an ambitious program. Its general structure follows the logic and content of the European Council‘s Strategic Agenda for 2019-24. It also reflects the latest Commission‘s Working Program. The key pillars of the program are based on the EU‘s economic recovery efforts, green and digital transition, fighting the COVID pandemic, and deepening relations with strategic partners. After the aggression of Russia against Ukraine the program would certainly merit some updates. Our aim is to contribute substantially to the EU‘s efforts in supporting Ukraine and other associated countries of Eastern Europe. We also need to increase the pace of the EU integration of the Western Balkans countries. We must engage more strategically with Indo-Pacific and Sahel countries. We want to use the opportunity of the Council presidency to deepen the transatlantic partnership.

What are the areas where the trio has made the biggest progress in deepening relations with strategic partners so far?

We have all agreed on the need to provide a new impulse to relations with strategic partners considering our values, principles, and interests. That’s our departure point. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined the vital importance of the Union‘s relations with the United States and Canada. We have to proceed with implementing the Joint Transatlantic Agenda, agreed upon in the summer of 2021, and develop the activities of the Trade and Technology Council. We should also strengthen our economic ties with Canada and keep the EU united against its rivals.

How will the war in Ukraine affect the Czech EU Presidency regarding the multilateral Eastern Partnership Policy?

Three out of six Eastern Partnership countries are closely associated with the EU. It proves that EaP as a policy has been quite effective as an association, and further economic cooperation have been its objective since its creation in 2009. We should now think about its future and concentrate on the most pressing issues. We have to continue our support to Ukraine while providing necessary assistance to Moldova and Georgia, keeping inclusivity as an important principle. As the Council Presidency, we will also want to focus on building resilience in these countries by transforming the concept into concrete projects.

The Association Agreement with Ukraine entered into force on 1st September 2017. What is the state of play of this agreement?

Since 2017, a number of reforms, previously thought to be difficult to enforce, were passed, such as political decentralisation, a change in electoral processes, and the creation of several new institutions that have become responsible for the fight against corruption and clientelism.

As part of the Agreement, a so-called Deep and Comprehensive FTA was also passed with Ukraine, which has been provisionally applied since 2016. These initiatives have become two main vehicles for bringing the EU and Ukraine closer together by deepening political ties and fostering mutual trade. Any party may request a revision of a treaty five years past the start of its implementation. In February 2021, both the EU and Ukraine expressed interest in revising the part of the agreement concerning trade in goods. In the context of the current conflict, the European Commission submitted in April a legislative proposal to drop all remaining tariffs for a period of one year, with the possibility of an extension. This proposal is currently being discussed within the EU Council and we hope for a positive decision soon.

What would you welcome as the Czech EU Presidency ́s greatest achievement? Do you have a personal goal in this regard?

In current circumstances, the most important achievement of the Czech presidency would be to keep the EU united against the backdrop of the Russian invasion, and progress in the economic integration of its Eastern neighbourhood. Further developing our economic and security resilience will also be key, and the Council Presidency will contribute to this. The diversification of our energy resources, as well as the decreasing of our overall dependence on Russia, should see a tangible, swift, and realistic action, as well as a further plan. The biggest achievement of many people working on the presidency, including myself, would be to have, at the end of our presidency, a peaceful, more resilient, and prosperous Europe than we have today.

“Czechia is a favourable destination for every diplomat”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: adam-costey studio

Mariam Rakviashvili is a Georgian career diplomat, serving as the ambassador of Georgia to the Czech Republic since 2019. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in 2003, where she served in various diplomatic positions. Until recently, she was a deputy state minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Mariam Rakviashvili has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in European law and international relations. What does she appreciate about our country? And how does she perceive European integration?

“Zoomers search for meaningful innovation”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Being one of Samsung’s top managers means still being a Korean at heart, but with the company’s enormous growth and global ambitions, it also means being a real world citizen.

Introducing Ki Young Yun, President of Samsung Electronics Czech and Slovak. The distinguished 48-year-old professional has worked in the Czech Republic for more than two years, and he recently sat down with us to talk about his 20 years of experience in various world markets.

Samsung is a real giant in consumer electronics, but times are changing fast. Is there a danger that you could miss an important trend?

We constantly focus our efforts on understanding and connecting with younger generations and those setting the new trends. As a company, we also invest heavily in R&D in order to lead the changes in consumer electronics. Rather than missing trends, we are the ones that drive them forward.

So, what are the trends? What do zoomers and millennials long for?

Recent reports by several global market researchers indicate that especially younger generations are more likely to be belief-driven buyers. This means that they make purchase decisions based on brands that they believe improve society. They also prefer a personalized experience that provides meaning and purpose.

At Samsung, creating a one-of-a-kind customer value and customized experience is one of our top priorities.

What do meaningful consumer electronics look like today?

Above all, they should be sustainable. We all want fewer batteries and unnecessary chargers in our drawers. We want products made from recycled or recyclable materials, and we want to help reduce the energy consumption of household appliances. Another trend is customization, where we want things tailored to us and our needs. The third thing is inter- connectivity. For example, people want their cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and TVs to connect seamlessly and effortlessly. In other words, it means giving users a holistic experience that is customized and connected across every product touchpoint, delivering meaningful and high-value experiences that enrich users’ lives.

You talked about Samsung as a keen innovator. What innovations can we look forward to in the near future?

You know, it’s quite difficult to pinpoint one particular area of innovation. Samsung sells 500 million devices a year. That’s half a billion mobile phones, tablets, wearables, TVs, monitors, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and so on. We have ground-breaking solutions in virtually every product segment. But I’d like to emphasize that the biggest innovation awaiting us will be in the way that all these devices interconnect. We can look forward to a much more immersive ecosystem, a truly multi-device experience.

At Samsung, we also research and develop various robots that can help consumers in their daily lives. We look forward to announcing exciting new experiences to our customers in the near future.

However, if you still had to choose a specific innovation, a product with the greatest potential to change our lives?

Let me give you a few examples of Samsung’s product innovations that have already changed consumers’ lives. For smartphones, we were the first to introduce foldable phones to the market at full scale, and now we have the third generation with Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, which are a real blockbuster with thousands of them sold each month in the Czech Republic alone. Our lifestyle TVs are unlike anything else in the market. These include the smart portable LED projector The Freestyle and the super-successful The Frame, which looks like a picture on the wall and will be even thinner this year and will feature an all-new display surface. As far as televisions are concerned, we’ve been number one in the world market for 16 years, and in order to maintain that status, we’ll continue to invest in development. Recently we’ve been putting a lot of focus on the revolutionary Neo QLED technology. Then there are our The Bespoke refrigerators, which you can assemble like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to get the right colours and fridge/freezer configuration for you. I talked about customization, and it’s our Bespoke concept, where you can configure the product to suit your lifestyle. The Bespoke concept has permeated to other categories, from vacuum cleaners and washing machines to mobile phones.

During your career, you have overseen different markets, such as Latin America and Spain, and now you are here. Is the Czech market exceptional in any way?

The Czech Republic has an extremely developed e-commerce market. So, when we develop our local e-stores with colleagues from other European countries, we always look to the experience of the Czech Republic for best practices. The Czech people love technology and love to look for the best products to enrich their lives.

The past two years have been marked by the pandemic. What effect did it have on your business?

“Europe is our common destiny”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Jitka Tomečková

Luís de Almeida Sampaio studied law at the Coimbra University, the oldest Portuguese university and one of the oldest in the world. His first diplomatic post was NATO, back in 1987, and after many positions abroad and in Lisbon he came full circle to become ambassador to NATO, immediately prior to his appointment as the ambassador to the Czech Republic in December 2019. He has an abundance of intriguing stories to share, which he is planning to do in his books when the time comes. Until then, enjoy our interview.

Can you tell us about yourself, please?

Let me start by telling you how pleased I am to have the opportunity to reach out to the wide and very knowledgeable audience of the Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine. I feel privileged to be the ambassador of Portugal to the Czech Republic. I always repeat that I am not the ambassador of Portugal to Prague only, but to the Czech Republic as a whole.

I really mean it. That is the reason why I travel extensively in the Czech lands, visiting not only the main cities, but also never missing the opportunity to get acquainted with the many cultural heritage landmarks, meet Czechs from very different walks of life, and to enjoy Czech traditions.

I also enjoy tasting the variety of Czech gastronomies, wines and beers, and, of course, I am always amazed by the vast natural beauties of this country.

I think that this is already very telling about myself. I am a curious observer and a relentless analyser of cultures and societies. I was always like that, and I believe that a diplomatic life is the best possible life for any true curious observer.

It sure feels great to hear that being an ambassador to our country is a privilege. Would you like to elaborate on this statement?

Being the ambassador of Portugal to the Czech Republic is extremely rewarding personally and professionally, as our bilateral relations are excellent. Indeed, there are no problems between our two countries, and that makes the life of any ambassador especially easy.

It is also very rewarding to serve in such a beautiful capital as Prague, and being in daily contact with my Czech interlocutors, official and private, who are always the kindest persons on Earth, adds to that feeling.

However, the agenda of any ambassador is quite hectic and filled with many meetings, conferences, and reports to write. Fortunately, I have excellent staff working with me, both at the embassy and the residence, and I count on, as I always could throughout my life, the full support and enthusiasm of my wife and daughters, without whom it would have been absolutely impossible to have led
a successful diplomatic career.

If you were to mention but one interesting moment in your career, what would it be?

Diplomatic lives are very often rather adventurous lives. I could tell you many stories, but I believe the following is a good example. In 2007, during the then Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, in the context of which I was the Middle East Peace Process envoy, I was in Gaza at the time of the take-over of that territory by the Hamas movement.

One day I will write a detailed account of that experience, also to prove that diplomatic lives are not only about receptions and cocktails, meeting ministers and heads of state, and exchanging with diplomatic colleagues.

With his wife

What is the weirdest thing you had to deal with?

When it comes to the weirdest thing I had to deal with, one episode immediately crosses my mind. It happened a long time ago, in a country that I am not going to mention by name. I was meeting a minister who did not speak any other language except his mother tongue, and we had no interpretation whatsoever.

As I had to convey some urgent messages, I resorted to drawings on a paper napkin. I can guarantee you that I am not a good artist. Extraordinarily enough, I discharged myself honourably of my instructions as the results of my démarche proved to be to the satisfaction of my authorities, as I later learned.

From then on, I have recommended that one of the requirements for future diplomats be basic drawing skills.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic? Do you see any space for the development of Czech-Portuguese relations?

My wife and I came directly from Brussels to Prague by car in December 2019, but we had already visited the Czech Republic before so we knew what to expect about the majestic beauty of this country. Our first impression was of amazement and respect, but the most important thing is that all our impressions after that very first one always just added to that initial feeling. We now understand much better why Czechs are very proud of their country.

The current status of Czech-Portuguese relations is excellent. From a political and diplomatic standpoint, they could not be better. The same applies to our cultural relations. We have hundreds of Portuguese students in the Czech Republic, and the number of Czech students of Portuguese language at the main Czech universities is growing every year.

The domain where there is still a lot of room for improvement is our economic and business relations. I am deter- mined to improve them, and to promote the indispensable synergies that would pave the way for joint ventures of high-tech Czech and Portuguese companies that could together explore markets in regions that complement the interests of both countries. In this vein, we are preparing a roadshow of Portuguese companies, businessmen, and businesswomen to the Czech Republic, scheduled to take place during the EU Czech presidency.

The Czech presidency over the EU Council starts on 1 July this year. This is one of the most important and demanding tasks taken as part of being an EU member country. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

I have no doubt that the Czech Republic will manage to conduct a very successful presidency, in spite of the extremely challenging international circumstances we are living through. I am also convinced that the Czech presidency will contribute to the betterment of the European project.

As Portugal recently held the same kind of responsibility, I always make myself available to my Czech interlocutors to share the Portuguese experience and its lessons learned. In this context, I am regularly invited to talk about the Portuguese European integration process and its results. We, Portuguese and Czechs, are partners in Europe; we know that we both belong to the European family, and that Europe is our common destiny.

You were a permanent representative of Portugal to the NATO Council, the principal political decision-making body within NATO. What is your opinion about the way NATO is currently acting regarding the war in Ukraine?

Indeed, I was the permanent representative of Portugal to the NATO Council between 2015 and 2019. Because of that, as well as due to my extensive prior NATO experience, I have been following with great concern the tragedy that is unfolding because of the unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. That aggression represents an unacceptable gross violation of the international rules-based order and poses a threat to our common security and to our democracies.

We are all with Ukraine and with the suffering of the Ukrainian nation, and I am convinced that the resistance of the Ukrainian people will represent a lighthouse for liberty for many years to come. The cohesion of NATO, the reinforcement of the transatlantic link, and the solidity of the European Union ́s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine are all the best demonstration that freedom and justice will prevail.

This interview is done on the occasion of your national day. What are you wishing your country? And for the Czech Republic?

The Portuguese national day, June 10th, is a very special date. We do not celebrate a major battle or a major victory, not even a major political personality or achievement. It is a date unrelated to a king or a president. It is simply, in a very moving way, the date of the death of our greatest poet.

Luís Vaz de Camões wrote about the Portuguese discoveries and adventures, and his poem “Os Lusíadas” became the embodiment of the beauty of the Portuguese language, a language that we share today with more than 250 million people on planet Earth. Indeed, the Portuguese language is one of the very few languages that has the vocation to be a global language, adding a strategic value to the international importance of my country.

What would I like for Portugal? I wish my country the same thing that I wish the Czech Republic: peace and prosperity, especially at this point in time when dark clouds are again unjustifiably hovering over our common horizon, and when we need to deal together, and defeat together, the ghosts from the past that insist on troubling our common present.

Nevertheless, I am convinced that freedom and democracy will prevail and that once again we will be able to de- vote all our efforts to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.

“We are facing tremendous external challenges”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Jiří Georgiev is a lawyer and an experienced professional in the field of European policy. Simultaneously, he also lectures externally at the Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague. Previously in his career, he was an inter alia adviser to the Senate Committee on EU Affairs, the deputy director-general of the European Affairs Section at the Office of the Government, and director of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Agriculture. Due to his long-term experience with EU policy, he was appointed Deputy Minister responsible for International Relations and the Financial Markets Section at the Ministry of Finance, as of 1st April 2022. In this position, his pivotal task is to participate in the preparation of the Czech presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022.

The presidency of the Czech Republic over the EU Council starts on 1st July 2022. Which issues do you believe we will be able to make the biggest impact on?

During our presidency over the EU Council we will have to face the crucial external consequences of the Ukraine crisis. The war in Ukraine and its humanitarian and economic impacts are, without any doubt, the biggest challenge we have to deal with, not only in Central and Eastern European member states.

On the other hand, we should not forget about efforts for economic recovery after the pandemic, caused by Covid-19. Although there were some obstacles and bottlenecks, the economic recovery in the EU was well on track before the 24th of February. Now, one of the main tasks for the EU during our presidency will be to provide maximum support to Ukraine and its citizens, and, at the same time, to foster and protect the economic growth in the EU.

Last but not least, we also have to keep in mind that the pivotal role of the Council Presidency is to keep the everyday agenda running. The Presidency is responsible for the day-to-day work of the Council and all its preparatory bodies. Despite the tremendous external challenges that I have mentioned, we would like to move the legislative files on the table forward.

Which aspects and areas of the war in Ukraine will affect the Czech EU presidency the most?

As I have already mentioned, this war will have an enormous impact on the course of our presidency. We will have to reflect on the current situation in our presidency priorities, and the Czech government has decided to overhaul its previous plans.

To be more specific, we will have to deal with the economic consequences of the war, the influx of refugees, and the implications for the energy sector and the EU budget. In a broader context, we will have to solve soaring energy prices, stability of energy supplies, and problems with supply chains. It is obvious that neither the national government nor the EU can solve everything. Our task, however, is to create the best conditions for allowing households and businesses to adapt. Simultaneously, we should avoid tensions – the pivotal task for the presidency is to keep the unity of the member states in substantial affairs.

What in particular do the people of the Czech Republic expect from this presidency?

This is a difficult question. Most people are rather busy with their own private issues, and they do not have time to study the nuances of the presidency and its implications. Certainly, it is a very relevant topic to professionals and pundits. However, I guess that people expect the EU to devote enough attention to economic and security issues, as there are many of those in these difficult days. And I suppose that people may expect from our presidency that we focus on the economic situation, energy prices, availability of energy, and many other issues. Hence, the Czech government decided to substantively review its priorities in order for the presidency to reflect the current situation.

The second aspect of the presidency is that EU and European policy will be more in the spotlight. In this respect, I believe that there is a unique opportunity to show what the EU can do for the people. On the other hand, although we have reached an unprecedented level of integration, there are still areas where the role of member states is essential.

So, to conclude, I am convinced that citizens expect that their problems and worries will be heard and reflected. Therefore, we have an opportunity to bring the EU, its role, and its competencies close to the citizens.

Which councils, working groups, and committees of the Council will be chaired by the Ministry of Finance?

The most important and challenging task will be to prepare for regular ministerial meetings. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) is the platform where the major decisions in areas of economic policy, taxation, financial services, or EU annual budgets are taken. Therefore, proper preparation is crucial. Moreover, there will be a regular informal meeting of ministers of finance and governors of central banks in September. This so-called Informal ECOFIN is one of the most significant events in Prague during the entire presidency.

Apart from that, my colleagues at the ministry will be responsible for chairing the tens of committees and working parties responsible for technical works at the expert level before the files are ready for adoption by the Council. These so-called Council preparatory bodies cover a broad area, ranging from economic and financial policy to taxation and budget issues. And of course, the better the preparation at
the working level, the better the outcomes at the level of the Council.

You are an expert in the field of European, constitutional and administrative law. Can the Czech Republic lead any major changes in this regard during the presidency?

Of course, the Presidency does not exist in a vacuum, and it is not established on a „greenfield“. You are always working in a broader context and continuity is a relevant aspect of your work. You start where the previous Presidency finished. And you have to keep in mind that after six months, your work will, hopefully, be assumed by the next Presidency. Nevertheless, our previous historical experience influences our presidency, not only in economic terms, but in the attitude to the Ukraine crisis as well. Therefore, some Czech tracks could be subsequently visible.

What steps will the Czech Republic take towards adopting the Euro during the EU presidency?

Firstly, I would like to underline that the presidency does not play any special role in the process of Euro adoption. You are correct that the Czech Republic is legally committed to adopting a single currency. However, there is no specific date for doing so in regards to timing. We are not in a hurry, and it is entirely up to the government to consider how to set up a timetable for Euro adoption. The key factor in this regard is the level of economic convergence and the degree of economic alignment of the Czech economy with the Eurozone.

Therefore, every two years, the Ministry of Finance and the Czech National Bank prepare a document titled „Assesment of the Fulfilment of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria and the Degree of Economic Alignment of the Czech Republic with the Euro Area“. Given the current situation and high level of uncertainty, the latest report‘s outcome, which recommends that the Czech government should not set a target date for Euro area entry, for the time being, is still valid.

What do you consider would be the biggest Czech EU presidency achievement, for both the country and you personally?

Under this exceptional level of uncertainty that we are now facing, it is not easy to make a plan with clear goals for the next six months. You can do your best in the planning and preparation, but over one night the stage can inevitably change by an incident out of your control. Therefore, I will be satisfied when the Czech presidency will have fulfilled everything that is expected of it in terms of the day-to-day work and keeping the Union moving forward. Personally, I hope to confirm the reputation of the Czech Republic as a respected and solid partner in the community of EU member states.

“The sky is the limit”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso, Photo: Jakub Přecechtěl and Zuzana Bönisch

The National Gallery Prague has the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic, presented in eleven different buildings in the city and beyond. The most interesting works are available online too, thus contributing to the ever-growing accessibility of the collections. Since 2021, the prestigious position of the Gallery’s general director belongs to Alicja Knast, a culture manager from Poland. She told us about her professional dreams, interdisciplinary approach in culture, and National Gallery investment plans for the next five years. As she puts it, “In terms of inventing or reinventing an institution, the sky is the limit.”

“We always continue to try”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

When you hear these words from a career diplomat with a 40-year-long working experience, it sure means a lot. And you can understand the message even better when Roberto Alejandro Salafia goes into more detail: “Diplomats don’t usually have ‘adventures’. My professional memories are more related to long negotiations and to the satisfaction of reaching a final agreement”. What challenges has he faced in our country? And what happened in Zimbabwe?

You are completing your four years as ambassador to the Czech Republic in June. How do you feel about our country?

Obviously, I believe that most people are struck by the beauty of Prague at first sight, and then, when you can travel around the country, the combination of nature, history and culture is unbeatable. Czechs are very proud of their country, and I quickly understood why.

I am a social person by nature and quite active too. I like having a full agenda that allows me to meet interesting people, get to know new places, or learn new information. But, of course, these activities are related to my responsibility to look for new horizons in the bilateral relations between my country and the Czech Republic.

How many countries have you been posted to so far?

I have been working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina for 40 years. Prague is my first post as ambassador. Before, I was posted in Brasilia (twice), Pretoria, and Washington DC. Besides that, as a diplomat, I have had the opportunity to visit many other places on official missions. The opportunity (to experience different countries) is one of the most interesting aspects of our profession.

From left: Facundo Herrera, Laura Fracassa, Ambassador Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Verónica Skerianz and Eduardo Cavallero.

What is the most remarkable adventure you have had?

I don’t think that ambassadors’ lives are as exciting as those of journalists or explorers. We don‘t usually have ‘adventures’. My professional memories are more related to long negotiations and the satisfaction of reaching a final agreement. Or to the participation in high-level visits, when it is essential to be very attentive to the smallest details. However, now I remember that once in Zimbabwe, the hotel managers were supposed to pick me and my family up in the middle of a nature reserve but they did not show up. We got lost in the jungle and had to spend the night in the vehicle, without any water or food, surrounded by hyenas and other animals. But we survived.

Well, I believe the challenges you are facing in the Czech Republic are of a different kind?

The beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic was quite complicated. Many Argentinian tourists were stranded in the Czech Republic due to the cancellation of flights and the uncertainty of the changing regulations. Fortunately, we had a lot of support from the local authorities and finally, little by little, we were able to help them reach airports in other countries, since there are no direct flights between the Czech Republic and Argentina or South America. We even rented buses to transport people to Frankfurt.

What is the current status of Czech Republic – Argentina relations?

Bilateral relations are excellent. There is great interest in Argentina due to its size and variety of landscapes, as well as its high-quality food products; like beef and wine; and cultural activities, including tango, literature, and cinema. And soccer, of course!

Furthermore, around 70,000 people of Czech and Moravian descent live in Argentina, the second-largest community in the Americas after the USA. The Argentine is, to a large extent, the result of immigration and we are very proud of the contribution made by the Czech people to our identity.

What is generally the most difficult part of being an ambassador, no matter what country you might go to?

Without a doubt – carrying forward and trying to achieve all the projects that we have in our minds. We, ambassadors, can have many ideas, even good ones (ha-ha!). But international relations, like other sectors, are full of unforeseen events. We can work hard on a project, an agreement, or a meeting, which can then be cancelled at the last minute. It is quite complex to integrate the wills of so many players involved. But we always continue trying.

In my case, my work-life balance situation represents a challenge too, I must say. I have three children and my wife of more than 30 years is a Brazilian diplomat herself, which is quite unique as it is not easy to reconcile both careers.

With family

Can you give some advice to the next generations of diplomats?

The diplomatic profession has changed dramatically in recent decades due to the IT revolution. When I started working, back in the 80s, it was quite a challenge to get access to information. On the other hand, today the challenge is to identify the most accurate information amongst hundreds of sources.

Also, diplomats were traditionally expected to be discreet in their activities, but today we are asked to use social media to showcase our work.

Therefore, my recommendation is to incorporate the new tools that technology offers but also maintain a balance, respecting the ‘good old traditions’ of our profession.

This interview is taken on the occasion of the National Day of Argentina. What are you wishing for your country? And for the Czech Republic?

Clearly, we are living in an unforeseen time period. We thought that we were on the path to a world with greater stability, peace, and development, with possibilities to allocate more resources for health, education, the environment, and technological transformation. However, in recent weeks we have gone back a hundred years and have instead faced a horizon of military confrontation and mistrust. Therefore, my first wish is for peace and dialogue, and to return to a path of understanding.

With regard to the bilateral relations between Argentina and the Czech Republic, my wish is to succeed in developing the full potential of our complementarities. Despite the geographical distance, (my wish is that) new technologies will allow us to develop further links in areas such as software, biotechnology, genetics, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, new materials, alternative energy sources, and peaceful use of nuclear energy, among other things. In short, a whole constellation of sectors in which Argentina and the Czech Republic have much to do jointly and to offer to the rest of the world.