• 05/31/2024

    NATO's doors must remain open to new members, including and especially Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said at the start of Friday’s meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague.

    He added that the July NATO summit in Washington, which this week's two-day informal discussions are in preparation for, would demonstrate the strength of the alliance and transatlantic ties.

    The second day of the conference began with a speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in which he thanked the Czech government for hosting the meeting and restated that the meeting agenda topics were Ukraine, defence, and partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    Author: Anna Fodor
  • 05/31/2024

    Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský will ask for a joint NATO strategy to contain Russian aggression at Friday’s NATO meeting of foreign ministers in Prague, he told reporters before the start of the meeting. He said the main topic of the discussions will be ways to help Ukraine.

    Mr. Lipavský again thanked the countries that decided to join the Czech ammunition initiative, saying the first shipment would reach Ukraine within a few weeks. The ministers will also discuss the possible outcomes of the July NATO summit in Washington.

    The meeting, which got underway on Thursday, is the biggest NATO event in Czechia in over two decades and marks the 25th anniversary of Czech accession and the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the alliance.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/31/2024

    The Czech Chamber of Deputies has supported the government's proposal for broader changes to pensions, which aims to address the pension system’s growth deficit. It envisages, for example, raising the retirement age above 65, reducing new pension calculations and setting a minimum pension at one-fifth of the average wage.

    The initial debate on the controversial pension reforms went on for 14 hours of net time and filled three sessions. It was dominated by criticism from the opposition parties ANO and Freedom and Direct Democracy. The bill will now head to the Senate’s Social Affairs Committee for consideration.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    President Petr Pavel awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Prague Castle on Thursday. This high state distinction is awarded by the president  to people who have made outstanding contributions to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.

    Mr. Stoltenberg, who is in Prague for a two-day informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers, also held talks with Prime Minister Petr Fiala.  Speaking after the meeting, he said Czechia was NATO’s reliable and valued partner. He also praised the activities of Czech soldiers abroad and the Czech munitions initiative for Ukraine.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    More than 1,750 Czech churches will be accessible to the public during the 16th edition of the Night of the Open Churches due to take place next Friday, the organizers have announced. In Prague alone, it will be possible to visit 159 churches, temples and chapels.

    Among the newly opened sites will be the chapel at the Chamber of Deputies in Sternberg Palace or the church in Nesvačily, the former site of a rare Gothic statue, which is now on display at Prague’s National Gallery.

    The event, organised by Prague Archbishopric, is accompanied by musical performances, workshops for children, exhibitions, lectures and discussions. Last year, it attracted over 450,000 visitors.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    The 64th International Film Festival for Children and Youth got underway in the town of Zlín on Thursday with the screening of a Norwegian film Lars is LOL.

    The event, which runs until June 5th, will screen nearly 300 films from 55 countries of which 18 will have their world premiere in Zlín. It is the oldest cinema showcase of its kind in the world.

    Some 126 films are competing for the main festival prize The Golden Slipper, the Europe Award and the Zlín Dog, among others.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    Friday will be overcast with occasional rain showers and storms. Day temperatures are expected to range between 17 and 22 degrees Celsius.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    Relations between the United States and Czechia are exceptional, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said after a meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken on Thursday. The US secretary of state praised Czech support for Ukraine, specifically the training of soldiers and the provision of important military support to the country.

    During their meeting, which took place on the sidelines of a two-day informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague, the two politicians discussed security, defence and the economy. They also signed a memorandum on cooperation with US government agency the Global Engagement Centre in the fight against disinformation.

    It is the 17th such memorandum the US has signed with allied countries. Mr. Blinken said such partnerships are important for the development of capabilities, technical means, human resources and organizational structure to fight disinformation.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    President Petr Pavel welcomed the Czech national hockey team at Prague Castle on Thursday, following their victory at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague over the weekend. The Czech head of state thanked them for the fighting spirit they showed at the tournament. The Czech head of state was presented with a medal, a signed Czech team jersey and a hockey stick.

    Czechia won the Ice Hockey World Championship with a 2:0 defeat of Switzerland in the final on Sunday night. The Czechs, led by star David Pastrňák, secured the title for the first time in 14 years.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 05/30/2024

    Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský met with his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly on Thursday ahead of a two-day informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague.

    The two heads of diplomacy agreed on clear support for Ukraine and its reconstruction, including the return of abducted Ukrainian children, Mr. Lipavský wrote on the social network X.

    Mr. Lipavský also said he was looking forward to further cooperation between the two countries and a visit to Canada.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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