Czech ambassadors discuss future of Czech foreign policy in Prague
The regular annual meeting of Czech ambassadors began in Prague’s Czernin Palace, the seat of the Czech Foreign Ministry, on Monday. The ambassadors will spend a week discussing foreign policy, economic diplomacy, security, and other issues.
“The West naturally defends the existing international order. It is an order that may not be ideal, but it guarantees us what is essential to us, it guarantees us our freedom, the geopolitical balance on which we depend. So let us not stop supporting the natural authority of the West. That is the natural value to which we must subscribe.”
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Fiala reiterated Czechia’s support for Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine receives tens of thousands of munitions per month from Czechia.
In total, since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Czechia, through its own ammunition initiatives and other projects, has supplied Ukraine with two million large-calibre and 22 million medium-calibre ammunition. Czechia alone has contributed almost CZK 866 million. On top of this, 15 other countries have contributed to the Czech initiative.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský discussed six foreign policy interests of Czechia:
“If I should say what interests we are talking about, then we are talking about the victory of Ukraine, holding off Russia, and preserving the validity of the principles of the UN Charter. It is about solidifying the position of Czechia in the European Union and NATO; it is a Czechia that is active globally; it is a Czechia that supports its companies abroad; and it is a diplomacy that signals a clear sign to the world that Czechia is a modern, self-aware, and developed nation. And the last interest is that we are building strong roots for Czech diplomacy.
“These six interests are guidelines for myself personally, for the Czech government, and for us, you, and for Czech diplomacy.”
Mr. Lipavský further reflected on the growing political polarization within Europe, a trend highlighted by recent European Parliament elections. He expressed concern over the increasing difficulty in reaching consensus on critical national and regional issues, particularly in central Europe, where he said that polarization is most pronounced.
The foreign minister noted that Czechia is actively targeted by secret services and various agencies from several authoritarian regimes. As a result, Mr. Lipavský underscored the severe risks associated with compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty:
“It’s important to emphasize still that sacrificing Ukraine to Russia, will not guarantee peace. On the contrary, we endanger our security. And the economic impacts will indisputably be more dramatic.”
In light of both the domestic and international pressures facing Czechia, both the foreign minister and prime minister emphasized that maintaining a clear, principled approach in accordance with the guidelines they outlined will be crucial in shaping a secure and prosperous future for Czechia and its allies.
