Czech EU presidency to cost 1.7 billion crowns

Czech EU presidency in the first half of next year will require about 1.7 billion crowns from the state budget, according to the government draft budget for next year. Most money will be used for financing events organised by the office of the Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexander Vondra, as well as by the foreign and interior ministers. Some 15 million crowns will be used for security measures. The EU presidency is expected to cost the state budget altogether 3.3 billion crowns.