EC head will not attend a ceremony in the Czech Republic marking the liberation of Auschwitz

The head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker will not be attending a planned ceremony in Prague and Terezín marking the 70th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in neighboring Poland as previously reported. The news was revealed by Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Rudolf Jindrák on Wednesday; even so, official word has not been received yet. The event will instead be attended deputy EC head Frans Timmermans as well as the Czech European Commissioner Věra Jourová. Earlier, the presidents of the US and Russia also received invitations as did other heads-of-state; President Barack Obama has already responded saying he regretted not being able to attend.

Author: Jan Velinger