Closing embassies and consuls would threaten exports, says opposition foreign affairs spokesman

Plans to close some Czech embassies and consuls would spell the end of the country’s traditional diplomatic network and threaten exports to Africa, Asia and South America, the opposition Social Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesman Lubomír Zaorálek said on Friday. He said Foreign Affairs Minister Karel Schwarzenberg ought to discuss the planned closures with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Mr Schwarzenberg said this week that around Czech 10 embassies and consuls would be shut down, mainly in South America and Africa, as part of cost-cutting measures.