Pavel urges Czech diplomats to present united front abroad

The Czech Republic must present a united front abroad rather than appear as a country sending conflicting signals or embroiled in endless domestic political disputes, President Petr Pavel said on Tuesday in his traditional address to Czech ambassadors.

“There is only one Czech Republic abroad. There is no government team or presidential team, there is only the Czech team. And all of you are part of this great Czech team,” he told the ambassadors.

Mr. Pavel was referring to friction between the Office of the President and the government at the NATO summit in July. He stressed the importance of meeting the country’s defense commitments and being a  reliable partner.

Pavel said he would seek to overcome domestic divisions over security and other issues.