Outgoing ambassador to Egypt Jukl to head Czech Centres, Macinka announces

Outgoing Czech Ambassador to Egypt Ivan Jukl will become Director General of the Czech Centres from August, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) announced at a press conference on the future of the organisation today. Jukl will replace Jitka Pánek Jurková, whom Macinka dismissed with effect from today. The minister also said the Foreign Ministry does not plan to close any Czech Centres and instead sees potential to expand the network, for example through cooperation with Czech expatriate associations.

The Czech Centres are the Czech Republic's public diplomacy institute, established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their main mission is to promote the country's reputation abroad and strengthen cultural relations with other countries. The organisation currently operates 26 branches across four continents.