Press: former trade and industry minister could replace Kohout as ambassador to EU

Czech newspaper Lidove Noviny has reported that Vladimir Dlouhy - a former trade and industry minister, as well as former deputy chairman of the Civic Democratic Alliance - could replace Jan Kohout in the post of Czech ambassador to the European Union. The government said this week it wanted to replace Mr Kohout before his mandate officially expired in May. It said this was in order to give his successor more time in the job before the country takes up the six month EU presidency in January 2009. According to Lidove Noviny, Vladimir Dlouhy has already received the offer and has until the end of the week to reach a decision. By comparison, Internet server Euro on Thursday downplayed the likelihood of Mr Dlouhy getting the job, saying he was on vacation until August.