News

Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová has written to the European Commission in connection with Czech government plans to change the system under which Czech Television and Czech Radio are financed.

Ms. Nerudová said on Wednesday that a move to end a license fee system and fund the broadcasters from the state budget may be in violation of EU rules. This could lead to Czechia facing fines and a freeze on European funds, she told Czech Television.

Critics say the change in the system of financing could ultimately undermine the independence of the broadcasters, though this is rejected by the government parties.

According to plans made public on Tuesday, legislation in this regard could come into effect next year.

Azerbaijan was the largest exporter of oil to Czechia last year, accounting for more than 42 percent of the latter’s total oil imports, according to data released by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade on Wednesday.

Russia’s long-standing position as the leading oil supplier to the Czech Republic came to an end; its share fell to 7.7 percent, with more oil also coming from countries such as Norway, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

The change was mainly due to an increase in the capacity of the TAL pipeline and the suspension of deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline in the spring.

Czech castles, stately homes and other historical landmarks are preparing special events this weekend in connection with the International Day for Monuments and Sites on Saturday.

Selected sites throughout the country will host themed events, open areas normally off-limits to the public and offer programmes for both families and professionals, a spokesperson for the National Heritage Institute told the Czech News Agency.

Israel’s security must not be pursued at the expense of the security of other countries in the Middle East; it is about stability across the entire region, President Petr Pavel said in an interview for the Czech Army. It is necessary to be active in all initiatives that lead to ending the conflict, he added in a video produced by the Czech Army and published late Tuesday evening on Facebook by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists). The Czech government has long expressed support for Israel.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) for the strong support that the Czech Republic provides to Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, after meeting Macinka during his visit to Israel, described the Czech minister as a friend and the Czech Republic as one of Israel’s greatest friends in the world.