Issue 01/2023

Photo: MAFRA / Michal Růžička

Dear readers, friends, and partners,

In January, the people in the Czech Republic elected their new president for the next five years. The voter turnout in the second round was little above 70% and Petr Pavel won with 58.33% of the vote, thus becoming the second Czech president elected in the direct presidential elections.The new president assumed office on 9th March 2023.

We would like to congratulate the new president on behalf of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine. In his election campaign, President Pavel promised „order and stability” for the country. When he talked about Václav Havel, the first Czechoslovak president after 1989, he uttered these words: “Václav Havel was the president who always listened to others.” We think that it might be a good idea to listen to Václav Havel too, and to see what he had to say about the role of the president.

“It would be rather foolish to ask the candidate for the office of the Czech president to present his own complete „political program” for legislative and executive leadership of the state. The Czech president will not be the head of the executive branch or majority leader in Parliament, but merely an indirectly elected official with a very specific position and mission defined in the Constitution.

Only one thing may be asked of him legitimately: a vision regarding the purpose of the office‘s constitutional and political status and the ways in which he would fulfil this purpose, and a conception of values that he would guard and pursue as the head of state through his powers and public activities.

The president is meant to be a guarantor, or intermediary, of the continuity of state power, and a representative of the country‘s identity and integrity - after all, he represents the country abroad. He should be a certain constant of the constitutional and political system, a „fixed star,” an institute of „last appeal,” and a permanent certainty in the midst of the dynamics of democratic development.

He should not be involved in everyday political disputes as a political subject fighting and competing on the political stage. For this reason, he should not identify too strongly with any of the existing political parties. The exercise of everyday politics is up to governments, or more precisely to the political parties that make up governing coalitions, not up to the president. The president clearly should not appear on the TV screen daily to solve all possible „issues of the day.” He should be felt in the background as a guarantee of the legitimacy of those solutions.

Instead of concentrating on the „technical” substance of various political disputes, he should concentrate on the way, or style, in which they are resolved. To put it simply:

instead of being a „player” himself, he should watch over the rules of the game.

The president therefore should not favour contact with political parties over contact with all other important organizations (from churches to trade unions). Through these contacts with civic society as a whole, he should permanently emphasize that only manifold and independent civic interaction leads to true democracy and creates a truly inspirational environment for political parties, which are a basic instrument of democracy, but not its purpose and goal.

Based on this general understanding of his role, I see as an important task for the president his care for the political atmosphere in the country - the climate of public life. I am convinced that overall political stability and orderly development in our country depends on this climate more than most of us want to admit.

Among the concrete matters that should intensively and permanently interest the president first and foremost are, in my opinion, human rights. This is a field where he can act directly and in individual cases, without interfering with the competencies of other constitutional institutions or inadequately intervening in daily political disputes. This task is a consequence of a duty that a head of state should definitely have: to defend and display the basic humanist values on which the country‘s existence is based.

It is not a question of whether we will be praised or reviled tomorrow in the newspapers or in opinion polls; we were not elected to our positions to please everyone all the time! We were elected to them in the hope that we would do what we know to be in the best interest of humanity as a whole, in the interest of freedom, security and dignity for all of us, in the interest of our lives in peace and prosperity.”

With best wishes to the new president and his family, Eva & Meshulam

We are grateful to Vaclav Havel Library in Prague for enabling us to use extracts from the article written by Václav Havel prior to his election President of the Czech Republic on January 26, published in Mladá fronta Dnes January 19, 1993; and Václav Havel´s speech to the Czech Parliament at the end of his second term in January 2003.

CONTENTS

interviews

7 Interview with H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan

Let’s take our friendship and cooperation to a higher level

14 Interview with Helena Langšádlová, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation

Innovation is the only way forward

18 Interview with H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India India is proud and humbled to have the Czech Republic by its side

30 Interview with H.E. Mrs. Yosra Souiden, Ambassador of Tunisia

Tunisians have chosen freedom and dignity

38 Interview with H.E. Mr. Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, Ambassador of Lithuania

Lithuania is a very good place for business

42 Interview with H.E. Mr. James Komla Nyasembi, Ambassador of Ghana

Great results are obtained with passion, persistence, and consistency

48 Interview with Pavlína Prokešová, RealLocate From New York to Prague

50 Interview with H.E. Mr. Danilo Alonso, Ambassador of Cuba

I am honored to serve my country as an ambassador – for the first time

56 Interview with Mrs. Terezie Radoměřská, Mayor of Prague 1

We want our citizens to feel at home here

59 Interview with Pavla Doležalová, Chapman Taylor Prague

Interior design trends have become very diverse

63 Interview with Alexandra Udženija, Mayor of Prague 2

The city is supposed to serve its residents

66 Interview with Martin Skokan, Neeco Global Ict Services

Global Projects Managed Locally

68 Interview with H.E. Mr. Berislav Vekić, Ambassador of Serbia

In surgery and diplomacy, mistakes can be costly

86 Interview with Simona Kalvoda, Executive Director of the Czech Green Building Council

We spend 90% of our lifetime in buildings

90 Interview with David Kvasnička, Architect Conquering Paradise

events

5 Havel, Europe and the World: The Václav Havel European Dialogues at the Czech Centres abroad

11 Japanese Emperor’s Birthday reception

22 74th Republic Day of India

34 A farewell reception to H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea

72 Hilton Christmas Concert

expert eye

26 Sanjiv Mihelić, Director of the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb

The Croatian Archaeological Heritage exhibition has arrived in Prague

53 Slovenian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša and her husband Mr. Anton Strniša

Bees are our friends, let´s appreciate them more

76 Rodrigo Schmidt, Productos Latinos

Salud! World-class wines from Argentina

80 Meshulam Zisso

Copenhagen is UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture in 2023-2026

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HAVEL, EUROPE AND THE WORLD: The Václav Havel European Dialogues at the Czech Centres abroad

One of the key projects launched by the Czech Centres to mark the 2022 Czech EU Presidency was a series of international conferences entitled „The Václav Havel European Dialogues“. Together with the Václav Havel Library – who originated the project – the Czech Centres organised the conferences in a total of 10 European countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, UK, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland), as well as the USA, Egypt and Georgia in 2022. Prominent international personalities such as Timothy Snyder, Marci Shore, Adam Michnik and Jacques Rupnik, as well as civil society activists and young audience members addressed issues such as the future development and enlargement of the EU, the impact of the war in Ukraine on the future of Europe, disinformation, fake news and the role of the media, environmental protection and climate change, the crisis of contemporary society and its values. The reference point for all the themes and reflections was the legacy of the former Czech President Václav Havel. The experiences and findings from all the events were shared by the participants and other guests in the concluding discussion which took place on

25 January 2023 at the Václav Havel Library. The guests were Mikuláš Bek, Minister for European Affairs, Ondřej Černý, Director General of the Czech Centres, Jiří Přibáň, lawyer and sociologist, Cardiff University, Jitka Pánek Jurková, Director of the Czech Centre Brussels and Jiří Hnilica, Director of the Czech Centre Paris. The event was hosted by Michael Žantovský, Executive Director of the Václav Havel Library.

„The motto of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU was Havel‘s ‚Europe as a Task‘. In this framework, together with the Czech Centres, we undertook to bring Václav Havel‘s legacy and its urgency for solving contemporary problems to young audiences in a wide range of both European and non-European cities. It was challenging –as all Havel tasks are – but the response we have received from the audiences at all our events proves that this is a much-needed activity in the midst of the most serious crisis Europe has faced since the end of the Cold War. If we overcome the crisis, we will overcome it as Europe. If we succumb, we will succumb individually,“ summed up Michael Žantovský.

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The iconic portrait of Václav Havel taken by Miloš Fikejz

The Czech Centres

The Czech Centres (CC), a contributory organisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, are a key public diplomacy tool of the Czech Republic‘s foreign policy. As a cultural institute, they aim to develop cultural relations between countries. The CC are a member of the EUNIC network (EU National Institutes for Culture). They present the Czech Republic in a wide range of cultural and social fields: from art and creative industries to the promotion of the achievements of Czech science and innovation. They provide Czech language courses abroad. The CC are involved in international projects and provide a platform for the development of international cultural dialogue. Currently, there are 26 Czech Centres across 4 continents. In addition to the Czech Centres’ network, they also manage the Czech House in Jerusalem and Bratislava.

www.czechcentres.cz

Opening of the Václav Havel European Dialogues conference debate

Eliška Tomalová, Head of the Department of European Studies, The Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University

From left: Jiří Hnilica, Director of the Czech Centre Paris, Jiří Přibáň, sociologist and lawyer, Cardiff University, Mikuláš Bek, Minister for European Affairs, Michael Žantovský, Director of the Václav Havel Library, Ondřej Černý, Director General of the Czech Centres

Conference participants from left to right: Jiří Přibáň, sociologist and lawyer, Cardiff University, Jiří Hnilica, Director of The Czech Centre Paris, Mikuláš Bek, Minister for European Affairs, Ondřej Černý, Director General of The Czech Centres, Michael Žantovský, Executive Director of The Václav Havel Library, Jitka Pánek Jurková, Director of The Czech Centre Brussels

Let’s take our friendship and cooperation to a HIGHER LEVEL

“2023 is the year of the rabbit in the traditional Asian calendar. It symbolizes a great leap forward, and prosperity. I wish that, for Czechia and Japan, it will be a year that takes our friendship and cooperation to an even higher level,” desires H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador, who first visited Prague in 1990 during the Velvet revolution, and arrived as ambassador in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What brought you to a diplomatic career, and eventually made you an ambassador?

Well, it goes back to the early 70s, and my three years of experience as a child in Paris. Back then, Japan remained mostly unknown to the world, and all that my small French friends knew about us was that we lost WWII. A bit of a discouraging first encounter with international realpolitik. However, there was a turning point: the visit of Emperor Showa to Paris. Japanese children, including myself, were sent by the embassy to the airport to welcome His Majesty. That day, I was taken in by the magic of our unique tradition. I hazily foresaw the pride and joy of working for Him and serving the country. The mission was set: to elevate the standing of my country to an honourable and proud member of the international community. I can say that this sense of honour has animated my entire diplomatic life, wherever I was assigned to and whatever dossier I oversaw – be it Europe, the US, Asia, national security, development assistance, global issues, etc.

Fifty years after that decisive moment in my life, I was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary by His grandson, the current Emperor of Japan, and assigned to the Czech Republic.

You have been in the Czech Republic for over 2 years. Can you share some impressions of that time?

I already visited Prague in January 1990, during the Velvet Revolution. The heated atmosphere of the revolution was present everywhere, especially in Wenceslas Square, but you could still find some kind of reminiscence of the past. Today’s Prague has metamorphosed into a modern European city. The streets are vibrant with shoppers and tourists. Creative cultural activities are flourishing at every corner of the city. However, the beautiful historical cityscape and the flow of the Vltava River have not changed at all.

Prague was in the midst of the pandemic when we arrived at the embassy two years ago. The lockdown had been decreed, and we did not see much for the first few months. Over the past year though, we have had many opportunities to discover the jewels of the Czech historical, cultural, and natural heritage all over the country.

Everywhere in the Czech Republic, we meet people with great interest in Japanese culture. Events representing martial arts, calligraphy, tea ceremony, ikebana, and comical theatre production called kyogen are practisced at a very high level of proficiency, not only in Prague but also in the (other) regions. It is also a pleasant surprise to find exquisite Japanese gardens in several cities. I could not be more grateful to all the people who are passionately devoting themselves to promoting these activities.

Which countries did you serve in before coming to Prague?

This is my fifth country. I served twice in France where I started my career, including studies at the Ecole National d’Administration (ENA), the second assignment being the Japanese Delegation to the OECD. Then, it was the United States, where I travelled all around from Denali, Alaska, down to Key West, Florida, with my family to discover its diversity. Vietnam, a very dynamic and young country with which we have a full range of cooperation, including a maritime security program. The Republic of Korea, our closest neighbour, and an important partner for security in the Indo-Pacific. And now, the Czech Republic, a trustworthy partner sharing our fundamental values, and enjoying 100 years of friendship together.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

Good question. Constantly standing at the forefront

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

WITH H.E. MR. HIDEO SUZUKI, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN

requires experience. We are expected to have the right answer to any kind of topic, ranging from military issues to modern art, science and technology to cybersecurity. You need to know every detail of not only foreign policy but also the socioeconomic challenges of your country, and explain things in a convincing way. This requires everyday learning and a solid backbone, conviction, and skill based on your wide-ranging past experience. A lot to do, but I enjoy it. It could be completely different from working at headquarters, where you oversee a specific portfolio. Ambassadors are also the leaders of their own nationals in times of crisis. That was my case during the COVID-19 pandemic. Securing the rights of vaccination for foreigners in the Czech Republic, and making sure that the Japanese can safely return to the country when needed was of primordial importance. With the generous cooperation of the Czech government, I was able to fulfil my duty.

An ambassador could never perform only by himself. Garnering the understanding and cooperation of the host country and fellow ambassadors, as well as uniting the staff as one team, are also important missions for an ambassador.

How do you spend your free time?

Almost every weekend, together with my wife, I enjoy searching for beautiful new places in the Czech Republic. We often go to Průhonice Park, where we enjoy the seasonal change of sceneries and the refreshing sound of the streams. It is also a delight for us to be invited to openings of cultural events and local festivals, not only in Prague but also in the provinces. It was a wonderful memory to parade in Kunovice on a horse cart for the Ride of the Kings festival, classified as a UNESCO heritage event, or to take part in a costume play at the Animefest in Brno, to name just a few examples. Never do I consider these as “duties”. It is full of surprises and discoveries. I wonder if there is a distinction between “work time” and “free time” for ambassadors. Maybe not.

Can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of ambassadors?

As the world becomes more diverse and complex, the mission required from ambassadors will become even more difficult. I believe that ambassadors should, at all times and in all places, continue to cultivate a broad perspective and a flexible mindset. This is to enable them to assess the situation precisely, in order

H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan with his wife

to find the best strategy to enhance cooperation and promote the common interest of their own country, their host country, and the international community. Most importantly, ambassadors need to have the courage and determination to implement these strategies with conviction. To make the world a better place to live.

Japan is a very interesting destination for the Czech people. How do you promote your country?

Let me say that Japan is an incredibly multidimensional country. In fact, two-thirds of the country is mountains. The north-to-south stretched Japanese archipelago is a treasure trove of varied and rich nature. From cherry blossoms in spring to fresh summer greenery, autumn leaves to snowy winter landscapes, the four seasons are so enchanting you can never get tired of them. The microclimate varies from region to region. From winter skiing in Hokkaido to diving in subtropical Okinawa, the choice is yours.

The vibrant urban culture well represented by Tokyo is world-renowned. But we also take pride in the historical wooden architecture in our regional cities, not to mention the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, as well as the epic shrines and temples throughout the country. These should be fresh in the Czech eyes. But it is not only about seeing but also about experiencing – let yourself get initiated into traditional agriculture, temple life, or the world of ceramics. A different side of Japan, a different side of you.

Up until 160 years ago, Japan was a decentralized state, divided into 300 fiefs of regional lords (daimyo). This led to the development of a number of competing cultures, unique to each different part of Japan, symbolized by its castles, schools, cityscapes, and crafts, which are boasted as ‚local pride‘. They are multifaceted marvels.

We must also not forget the Japanese food culture. Sushi is now widely popular around the world, but of course we have more. In the countryside, you could find a wealth of local delicacies and specialities. Every time you visit a new place, I could assure you that you will encounter a different taste.

What is the current status of Czechia - Japan relations?

Japan and the Czech Republic are strategic partners who share fundamental values, and our long-time friendship is steadily developing. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the bilateral exchanges in 2020, and this year (2023) marks the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

We have a long tradition of economic cooperation,

driven by over 270 Japanese companies operating in the Czech Republic that play an active role in the Czech economy and contribute to its export, creating more than 52,000 jobs. The Japan-EU EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement), entered into force in 2019, has quickly boosted bilateral trade from 3.4 billion Euros in 2018 to 5 billion in 2022. Noteworthy is the sharp increase in Moravian wine export to Japan. The cultural exchanges in various fields such as architecture, literature, painting, and music have also been the spiritual backbone of our friendship.

What about the political and security areas?

We must step up our cooperation in the political and security areas. The two countries today share each other’s visions, and tackle various agendas on the world stage.

First, the response to the war in Ukraine. Together, along with other like-minded countries, Japan and the Czech Republic are leading in imposing tough sanctions against Russia, and strongly supporting Ukraine. Japan is also assisting Ukrainian refugees who fled to the Czech Republic, by providing over 2 million USD to international organizations operating here. A strong bond of solidarity. Realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific is another common goal. The Czech Republic formulated its IndoPacific Strategy last September, while Japan adopted a new National Defence Strategy in December. Both documents mention each other’s country as a trustworthy partner for deepening cooperation. Our relationship is stepping forward into a new phase. Third, achieving a carbon-neutral sustainable society. We share the common goal of “realizing carbon neutrality by 2050”. This is highly challenging, but it is also a great opportunity for new business cooperation, and for innovation with the aim of enhancing energy security.

To achieve this goal, we have many options: renewables, nuclear, hydrogen, CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) or CO2 Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies, etc. I firmly believe that Japan and the Czech Republic, with their traditional excellence in science and technology, have great potential for future cooperation in these areas.

To conclude this interview, do you have a wish for both countries?

2023 is the year of the rabbit in the traditional Asian calendar. It symbolizes a great leap forward, and prosperity. I wish that 2023 will be a year that takes our friendship and cooperation to another higher level, and brings blessing to the people of our two countries and of the world.

Japanese Emperor’s Birthday

reception

On the occasion of Japanese Emperor’s 63rd birthday and also his 30th wedding anniversary, the Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki and Mrs. Suzuki held a reception at Hilton Hotel Prague.

In front of Mr. Jiří Drahoš, First Vice President of the Senate; Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and many Ambassadors, government officials, members of the Czech Parliament and Senate, and distinguished guests, H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki greeted the guests.

Here are selected sections of the Ambassador´s speech at the event.

It is an honor and privilege to welcome you at this Emperor’s Birthday reception. It is also a great joy for me to see you all here, after three years hiatus due to the pandemic. Thank you very much for coming. And I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate the Czech

guests for the election of the new President, General Petr Pavel.

His Majesty will celebrate his 63rd birthday on 23rd of February and also the 30 years of his marriage in June this year.

Since last fall, Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress have resumed their visits all over Japan and have come into direct contact with people to share their joys and sorrows.

His Majesty also appeared in front of the massive wellwishers who gathered for the traditional New-Year’s congratulatory visit to the Imperial Palace that

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; prof. Ing. Jiří Drahoš, First Vice President of the Senate of the Parliament; Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mrs. Suzuki, wife of the Japanese Ambassador

was paused during the pandemic, and expressed his wishes of happiness for our country and the people of the world.

Thus, His Majesty, as symbol of Japan and the unity of the Japanese people, a status conferred by the Constitution, has expressed the aspiration of all Japanese to stand up to recover the pandemic disaster, and to contribute actively to world peace. You can count on Japan and on the Japanese people.

This year shall mark the 30th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Czech Republic. We have long nurtured strong economic and cultural ties, and now we are stepping up forward also in the political and security areas. As evidence of this, both in the Czech IndoPacific Strategy and in Japan’s new National Defense

Strategy, each other’s names are clearly enshrined as trustworthy partners.

It will soon be one year since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. One year of cooperation between Japan and the Czech Republic in supporting Ukraine. Japan has so far provided 600 million USD in financial assistance, 200 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees including those in the Czech Republic. Last December we decided to provide another 500 million for the same purpose. We know how much the Czech Republic is doing for those people in need, so we want to bring together our solidarity. Also, together, we are sending more than one thousand generators into Ukraine including Buca to provide warmth to Ukrainians struggling to get through the harsh winter. We would like to further promote concrete

H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan with Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at his speech

H.E. Mr. Alexandru Codreanu, Ambassador of Moldova; H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; Mrs. Suzuki, wife of the Japanese Ambassador; and Mrs. Codreanu, wife of the Moldavian Ambassador

H.E. Mr. Matt Field, Ambassador of the United Kingdom; H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; and H.E. Mr. Daan Feddo Huisinga, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

From left: prof. Ing. Jiří Drahoš, First Vice President of the Senate of the Parliament; H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; and Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

cooperation between our two countries, which share common values, in order to preserve and restore international rule-based order. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Czech people, the Czech parliament and government for their continued friendship.

Now, to cooperate, we need to know each other even more.

We have here today, the cream of the Japanese community in Czech Republic coming up from all fields. Industry, academia, arts, pop culture etc. I invite you to meet them and discover the diversity of Japan. You will also find the latest dream products and services by Toyota, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, Toray and Japan Airlines in the lobby and foyer on the first floor. Thank you for your participation. But we also say in Japan “fine manners need full stomach”. So we prepared bunch of Japanese delicacies to fill your bodies and hearts. Asahi has

provided us with ‘Super Dry’, one of the most popular Japanese draught beer brands. Tako Foods is ready for the tasting of Wakaze, a new type of Japanese sake, and JAPE (Japan Agri Products Europe) has provided frozen sushi served in airline business class. We also have sushi made of new rice crop 2022 prepared by my chef, who stayed up all night for this, and traditional sake for your enjoyment.

Last but not the least, the Czech Republic has signed the contract for the participation in the 2025 OsakaKansai Expo. Today marks exactly 800 days until the Expo. This will be the most exciting post-pandemic event which will boost further our friendship and our common interest. Please take a look at the panel exhibition. And much more important: please take that opportunity to come to Japan and experience the amazing potential of sustainable future.

H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey and H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan

H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; Mr. Hayato Josef Okamura, Member of the Czech Parliament; and his wife

Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan; Mrs. Suzuki, wife of the Japa nese Ambassador; and Mr. Vitalii Usatyi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Ukraine

Innovation is the only way forward

Helena Langšádlová became the Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation in December 2021. She has been a Member of the Czech Parliament since 2010, representing the TOP 09 political party. She lives in Černošice, Central Bohemia, where she once served as deputy mayor and mayor. Among other things, we spoke about her responsibilities in the government, how she perceives the concept of innovation, and the limitations of the state’s budget.

What does it mean to be the Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation? What are you in charge of?

First and foremost, the existence of my position is a message from this government that it takes science, research, and innovation seriously. The Czech system of this field’s management is extremely fragmented. Up until now, the coordinating role has been primarily performed by the Government Council for Research, Development, and Innovation, which the Prime Minister most often chaired. However, even with the best effort, the Prime Minister cannot delve deeply into the problems of this area. I have the time and space to do so.

Regarding the day-to-day responsibilities, I would divide them into two parts. The first reflects the government’s agenda. As a member of the government, I naturally have to work on all the substantial issues that we are dealing with – and there are quite a few of them these days. At the same time, my responsibility is to add the perspective of science and research. If we are dealing with the climate and energy crisis, then my natural input is on how science and research can help us, and what we need to do in order to mobilize the capacities (for it); if we are dealing with security issues as a result of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, I aim to also address the security implications of science and research in relation to authoritarian

regimes. The second area of my day-to-day agenda relates to science and research directly: from evaluating research organisations, negotiating the science and research budget, and setting up public support programmes, to preparing legislative changes and communicating those changes within the system.

Can you tell us about your approach to innovation, and how you drive it forwards?

Innovation is a broad concept. On the one hand, there are crucial technological innovations in private companies, where today digitalisation plays an important role. On the other hand, there are for instance innovations in public administration, in its organisation and procedures. We are trying to consider this entire broad area. Innovation in business is the absolute key to the competitiveness of our economy. Today, in the Czech Republic, 60% of all research and innovation funding comes from private sources. It is not bad, but if we want to keep up with the most advanced countries then we need to increase this ratio even further. We often take Israel as an example of one of the most innovative countries in the world. It should be noted, however, that they spend less on science, research, and innovation from public sources in terms of the GDP ratio than we do. It is far more driven by business.

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW WITH HELENA LANGŠÁDLOVÁ, MINISTER FOR SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Photo: Veronika Rejmanová

We are working on instruments that should motivate a larger reinvestment in research and innovation, such as tax deductions. We also strive to provide bigger support for start-ups and improve the conditions for knowledge and technology transfer between academia and the corporate world.

Why should we innovate?

Innovation generally means adding value, either through efficiency gains or by creating new value. This in itself is a good reason to innovate. However, the importance of truly significant innovations is

elsewhere: they are not isolated improvements. Innovation spills over. If you manage to break through in an area, it can have far-reaching consequences in other areas as well. This is how a competitive economy focused on high-added value is created.

Technology and innovation – are they the same thing?

Innovation is a much wider concept. It can be about processes, and not just in the technological sense. For instance, we can speak about innovative educational

Photo: Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

methods. I believe education must follow the fundamental changes society is going through, including digitalization. If we do not want to proceed via trial and error, then we need to engage in pedagogical research. This has two essential conditions: that researchers come up with concrete answers to fundamental societal questions, and that policymakers base their policies on these findings. We have reserves in both steps.

How important is innovation in our current situation?

Innovation is important in every situation – it is about the general mindset. Society must tend to move forward. But of course, the challenges we are facing now emphasize the need for new solutions in many areas. We face serious multiple crises. The combination of long-term and unfortunately largely underestimated problems, such as climate change and population ageing, alongside the current sudden crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its consequences, brings really significant uncertainty for the future. Our society needs to pull out all the stops to meet these challenges. I strongly believe that science, research, and innovation have a key role to play in this. There are many important decisions to be made – not only at the national level, but also at the European and global ones. These decisions are not to be subject to ideologies and pressures from various interest groups: all policies must be consistently based on scientific insights. It sounds simple, but we all know that this is a big task for a public administration, as well as for researchers.

Do you feel you have a sufficient budget to do what is needed?

For one, we should definitely spend more money on science and research. The other thing is that we should spend our resources more efficiently. And we should add a third perspective, which is fiscal consolidation – unfortunately, an inherited huge structural deficit is one of the challenges this current government is facing.

Regarding spending efficiency, we plan to run a project in cooperation with the European Commission and the OECD, aimed at strengthening capacities for deep evaluation and impact assessment of public R&D funding programmes.

What are the biggest challenges you are currently tackling?

We have started a broad discussion on a new set of research priorities. This is important because priorities,

to some extent, influence the funding opportunities of research organisations. The beginning of these discussions, however, has already shown how difficult it will be to reach a consensus on these issues. At the moment, we have 170 research priorities, and they are so broad that it is almost impossible to find a topic that does not fit (within them). Our aim is to make sure that those priorities really are priorities. What I see as a huge challenge is some of the, shall we say, ‘cultural barriers’. We are trying to promote a knowledge transfer in order to assure that academic research does not end up only with publications, but that discoveries are transferred, for instance, through licences into practice, possibly in the form of university spin-off companies. However, we are facing resistance from a significant part of the research community, which sees the publication as the only pure scientific outcome. This is a cultural problem that is difficult to change. But we urgently need to get over it.

The Czech Republic´s second presidency of the EU Council finished in December last year. How was the Ministry involved?

We were actively involved in the negotiations of the new European Chips Act, which we facilitated at the European level with our colleagues from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. We successfully reached an agreement on a general approach. The development and production of (electronic) chips is, of course, a crucial topic, and one of the areas in which we need to fundamentally increase our strategic independence. There are more areas like this, but I believe that if we can make significant progress in one area then it can set up processes for others. In this field, we are also negotiating specific projects to increase chip development capacity in the Czech Republic, whether it is through cooperation with Taiwan or through establishing a chip cluster, linking manufacturing companies with research organisations.

Where do you think the Czech Republic is headed in the next four years?

Let me be optimistic: I see a country with highly inovated companies, an active start-up environment, and strong university-business linkages. A country where policy decisions are based on scientific knowledge. At least, this is the vision I am working towards.

India is PROUD and HUMBLED to have the Czech Republic by its side

Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar came to Prague in September 2020, just in time for the Czech government’s announcement of a complete COVID-19 lockdown. It didn’t stop him, and he immediately started exploring the vacant streets of Prague’s old town, followed later on by more regions of the Czech Republic. Do you want to know what he considers the weirdest thing he encountered while exploring our country? We have the answer to that... and much more.

You have been in the Czech Republic for two years. What was your first impression of it?

I came to Prague just when the Czech government announced a complete lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The silver lining was that I got to explore this stunning city without the usual throngs of tourists. I got to fully immerse myself in the rich history and beauty of the historic district. The people of Prague were incredibly friendly and hospitable, which made my stay even more enjoyable. Thanks to the efforts of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I had a comfortable experience despite the COVID restrictions. Over the past two years, I had the opportunity to interact with the Czechs living in different parts of this beautiful country. Every meeting had something to offer, helping me further strengthen the bonds between India and the Czech Republic. I am not only impressed by the country’s rich history and culture, but also by its technological strengths.

Is that what you do in your free time – wander the streets of Prague?

Yes, quite so. When I have some free time, one of my go-to activities is exploring the charming streets of the old town of Prague. The city is absolutely mesmerizing, and no matter how many times I visit, I am always left in awe of its stunning architecture and rich history. I am particularly fascinated by the history of this region, and love spending my time reading about it. Do your interests fit a diplomat’s lifestyle?

Talking to people is a delight for me. Whether it is exchanging ideas or simply sharing a laugh, I relish the opportunity to connect with others, and to delve into the depths of their unique perspectives. My role as a diplomat thus provides me with an

excellent opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life, from politicians to bureaucrats, from businessmen to industrialists, and from professors to students. In addition, interacting with the Indian community that is dispersed across the country remains a source of constant encouragement.

How did you become an ambassador?

I started my career as an electronics engineer, but after just three years I knew that my true calling was in diplomacy. I joined the Indian diplomatic service in 1996, and since then I had the opportunity of serving in several world capitals like Brussels, Algiers, and Riyadh. I also worked at the Indian Mission, attached to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

Joining the diplomatic service is a dream for many, and I am no exception. My aspirations are driven by the desire to reach the summit of success in my profession, the prestigious position of an ambassador. This role is not only a privilege, but also a symbol of the highest level of diplomatic representation. It is indeed an honour to be posted to a significant European nation like the Czech Republic, with its rich history and strong ties to my home country. I am grateful to my government for entrusting me with such a prestigious role, and I look forward to serving with distinction.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador, in your opinion?

As an ambassador, navigating the delicate dance between two nations is a Herculean feat. On one hand, we are tasked with promoting our country and forging stronger ties with the host country, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. On the other hand, we must delicately convey the nuanced perspectives of

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The essence of the Greek cuisine

each other in order to foster effective communication and mutual understanding. To top it off, adjusting to a new culture and environment adds an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging day-to-day of diplomacy.

What is the weirdest thing you have encountered in our country?

Visiting the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora, a Roman Catholic chapel filled with bones, was a bizarre yet enlightening experience. It left me with a newfound admiration for the Czech’s imaginative ingenuity. Another highlight, not weird but quite adventurous, was organizing a visit of a group of over 100 members of the Indian community to Bohemian Switzerland. Furthermore, the participation of senior citizens in this adventure was inspirational.

Is there a large Indian community in Czechia?

Over recent years, the Indian community in the Czech Republic has seen a substantial increase in numbers. From tech-savvy IT professionals to entrepreneurial business owners, the Indian community has made its mark in the Czech Republic. At present, there are over 8,500 Indians residing in the country, with around 1,500 students studying at various universities. While a small number of Indians have been living in the Czech Republic since the 1980s, the majority have arrived in the last few years.

India is among the popular holiday destinations for Czech people. How do you promote your country?

India has been an important tourist destination over the past several decades, with temples and yoga, the Himalayas and beaches, all holding an attraction to the Czechs. The electronic visa scheme for EU nationals has been a major success. In the post-COVID world, we are looking at several initiatives through tourism road shows, publicity campaigns, participating in tourism-

specific exhibitions etc. Around 20,000 Czech tourists visit India annually.

What is the status of Czechia - India relations?

The India-Czechia bilateral relationship is characterized by warmth, friendship, and a strong history of cooperation. Over the past several years, the relations have further deepened, with high-level visits from both sides. The visits of former President of India

Mr Ramnath Kovind to the Czech Republic in 2018, and that of former Czech Prime Minister Mr Andrej Babiš to India in 2019, have indeed elevated the relationship to new heights. The two Foreign Ministers met in Prague in June 2022, and in Vienna in January 2023. We are looking forward to the visit of Czech Foreign Minister H.E. Mr Jan Lipavský, accompanied by a business delegation, to India very soon.

Bilateral trade and investment relations are also improving significantly. Defence and Science & Technology cooperation constitute important pillars of our relationship. Over the past several years, the Czech Republic has become an important centre for higher learning for Indian students – especially in the in fields of medicine, engineering, and the humanities.

This year, India is celebrating its Republic Day and 75th independence anniversary. Would you like to say a word on this occasion?

Representing my country abroad is an honour, and occasions to celebrate Republic Day abroad are always a matter of great pride. This Republic Day comes at a time when we Indians are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an occasion to celebrate 75 years of India’s independence. As India enters into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long leadup to India@100, India is proud and humbled to have the Czech Republic by its side, a country with whom it has had a strong friendly relationship since historical times.

74th Republic Day of India

On the occasion of India´s 74th Republic Day, the Ambassador of India H.E. Mr.

along with his wife Mrs. Seema

held a reception at the

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Michael Bohm and Rahul Singh

Hemant Kotalwar

Kotalwar

Prague Congress Center.

The Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar and his wife Mrs. Seema Kotalwar

Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty, Counselor at India Embassy and his wife Seemanti; the Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar along with his wife Mrs. Seema Kotalwar; Mr. Meshulam Zisso and Mrs. Eva Anderová, Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine

New Time Orchestra from Brno

In front of many Ambassadors, government officials, members of the Czech Parliament and Senate, and distinguished guests, H.E. Mr. Hermant Kotalwar greeted the guests.

Here are selected sections of H.E. Mr. Hermant Kotalwar‘s speech at the event.

Welcome everyone, to this reception in honor of our 74th Republic Day. Today is a day of immense pride for all Indians as we commemorate the adoption of our Constitution. On this day in 1950, our nation embarked on a journey to create a society built on the pillars of democracy, secularism, and federalism. This Constitution is not just a set of laws, but a promise to every citizen of India to secure justice, liberty, equality, and the inalienable right to dignity.

Last year, we commemorated a milestone of 75 years of our independence. This was a proud moment for a diverse country like India. We have come a long

way, from being a third-world agrarian economy to a bustling, industrialized and service-based economy. We now stand tall as the fifth-largest economy in the world. But India‘s successes do not end there; we have also earned a name for ourselves on the global scene. We are valued members of the global community for our contributions and leadership. A true testament to the resilience and determination of our people.

On December 1, 2022, India assumed the Presidency of G20, taking the reins of leadership in these uncertain times. The G20 theme of „One Earth, One Family, One Future“ serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to care for our planet, to come together as one family, and to work towards a brighter future for all. As India takes the helm of the G20, we are honored to carry this message of oneness and unity to the world.

In this journey India is proud and humbled to have the Czech Republic by its side, a country with whom it has a strong friendly relationship since historical times.

Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at his speech

Mr. Pavel Fischer, Member of the Czech Senate; Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India

The Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar welcomes the quests

Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty, Counselor at Indian Embassy; Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar and his wife Mrs. Seema Kotalwar; and Mrs. Seemanti Chakraborty

H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey; Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar and his wife Mrs. Seema Kotalwar; and Blanka and Veselin Vackov, Managing Editor of Lidove noviny

Mr. Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic with his wife Livia; and H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India

Fusion of Indian and western dance by Kathak dancers Neha Seshadrinath and Betka Ruskova.The lyrics of the song highlighted the monsoon season

H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India with Dr Martin and Kateřina Bursík

H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India and Mr. Libor Sečka, Special Envoy of the Czech Republic for the Indo-Pacific

The CROATIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE exhibition has arrived in Prague

Croatia has always been an intersection of various cultures

From the earliest prehistory, through antiquity and the Middle Ages, and until the Modern Age and present day, the territory of Croatia has always been an intersection of various cultures and traditions. This is on top of often diverse worldviews, whose interplay through the ages has helped lay the foundations and build the edifice of a modern European country, proud of its rich and diverse origins.

Only a year after the first 12 properties were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978, three Croatian sites also made it onto there – the Historical Core of Split with the Palace of Emperor Diocletian, the Old City of Dubrovnik, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Since then, the Croatian segment of the list has grown, with a few other outstanding sites: Euphrasius’ basilica in Poreč, the Historical City of Trogir, Saint James’ Cathedral in Šibenik, and Starigrad Plain on the island of Hvar, in addition to three other transnational sites.

While one cannot overstate the beauty, importance, and cultural significance of these sites, they represent only the tip of the iceberg of countless archaeological and historical cultural monuments, which together make Croatia a unique cultural and historical landscape.

An exhibition is touring European capitals

The incredibly rich Croatian legacy has been explored and synthesised by the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb in an exhibition titled ‘Croatian Archaeological Heritage’, which was developed in cooperation with the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The exhibition first opened in Brussels in 2011, and then began a tour of European capitals.

After London, Dublin, Budapest, Helsinki, Vilnius, and a number of other cities, the exhibition arrived in Prague, where it will remain on display at Skleňák Gallery until March, with the prospect of also visiting other Czech cities during the year. The exhibition in Prague was organized by the Croatian Embassy to the Czech Republic and Prague 6 District, on the initiative of the

Text: Sanjin Mihelić; Photo: Archive

Croatian Ambassador H.E. Ljiljana Pancirov, to mark the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of the Republic of Croatia. The exhibition was opened by Mr Jakub Stárek, Mayor of Prague 6, at a well-attended public ceremony on 11th January.

Two dozen large-size posters, visible at all times as window displays at the Skleňák Gallery, lead the viewers through a journey of the most remarkable archaeological sites and monuments of this unique country. Throughout its history, continental Croatia generally belonged to Central European cultural, social, and political currents, unlike Adriatic Croatia, where the events and influences from the wider Mediterranean area often played a decisive role.

Learn about the particular features of different Ages

The ancient period in Croatia first started with the advance of the Greek colonists into the Adriatic during the mid-1st millennium BC, and reached its heyday with the establishment of Roman rule at the turn of the Common Era. Monuments of Greek architecture and culture are still visible today in several places on the Adriatic, most notably on the islands of Hvar (Pharos) and Vis (Issa), and in the surroundings of Split and Metković. A cultural property deserving particular attention is the Starigrad Field on Hvar island, an authentic cultural landscape, with a preserved system of land parcellation dating from the time of the first

settlers from Greece. The most important Roman city in Croatia was Salona, the capital of the province of Dalmatia, originally an indigenous settlement and later a Greek and Roman colony. An important provincial centre at first, Salona rose to prominence in Late Antiquity as an important centre of the new religion –Christianity, which is corroborated by the attractively presented architectural remains in the Salona Archaeological Park, primarily the Christian complex at Manastirine.

Among the high points of the Croatian Early Middle Ages, one can underline the time of the flourishing of the medieval Early Croatian Kingdom under the native rulers between the 9th and 11th centuries. The core of this kingdom lay in the coastal part of the state, in the hinterland of the ancient Dalmatian centres of Zadar, Trogir, and Split. The towns of Nin, Solin, Knin, Šibenik, and Biograd were the most significant seats of the early Croatian monarchs. The many small pre-Romanesque churches are the most remarkable and best-preserved archaeological monuments of this period. From the 9th century onwards, a specific angular variety of the Glagolitic script (or Glagolitsa) developed on the eastern Adriatic coast, known, for example, from the Baška tablet dating from 1100 – one of the earliest stone inscriptions in the Croatian language.

In the late medieval and early modern periods, Croatian lands were divided once again, with the Venetian

THE CROATIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE EXHIBITION

Republic exerting political and cultural influence over most of the Adriatic coast, the Kingdom of Croatia in union with the Kingdom of Hungary, and later with the House of Habsburg dominating the continent. The preserved archaeological and cultural heritage clearly demonstrates this dichotomy, as can easily be seen in the Gothic and Renaissance architectural features still prominent in many coastal and island towns such as Hvar, Trogir, Rab, and Dubrovnik, as well as in the corresponding monuments and urban complexes on the continent, such as a number of fortified towns and fortresses, of which Veliki Tabor, Medvedgrad, and Karlovac are the most notable examples.

Sanjin Mihelić is an archaeologist and heritage professional with over twenty years of experience in cultural heritage and project management, currently the Director of the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb and the President of the Iron Age Danube Route Association. He is the author of numerous exhibitions, such as The Neanderthal Trail and Trade and Exchange in Prehistory. A regular speaker at archaeological, heritage, and tourism conferences; author of dozens of scientific and professional papers; project manager; main organizer of the Sense and Sustainability Conference on archaeological tourism; organizer of the Festival of EU Archaeology. He is also a member of several cultural institutions’ management boards, and a member of a number of national and international archaeological and heritage organizations and associations.

From left: Sanjin Mihelić, Director of the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb; H.E. Mrs Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia ; and Mr Jakub Stárek, Mayor of Prague 6

Tunisians have chosen FREEDOM and DIGNITY

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“A career diplomat with 26 years of experience, a pure product of the Tunisian public schooling system”, is how Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mrs. Yosra Souiden, describes herself. How does she see her home country? What does she love about her job? And does she think that Czech people know Tunisia well?

What made you become an ambassador?

Many reasons! But let me tell you that I love this job because it always knows how to keep its mysteries and charms; it’s a continuous adventure. Being a diplomat means being versatile and multi-skilled at work, and always willing to learn and adapt to all situations. In fact, the different missions we have can go from organising a visit of a high dignitary and participating in a meeting on disarmament or bioethics, to leading an economic delegation or organising a concert. After experiencing the work of a diplomat in several levels and positions, further serving my country as an ambassador seemed natural.

Can you tell us more about your rich diplomatic career?

I am a career diplomat with 26 years of experience, a pure product of the Tunisian public schooling system. After my legal and political studies in Tunis, I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997 and had an opportunity to represent my country in Paris, first as a cultural and scientific counsellor at the embassy, and then in our delegation at UNESCO. I also represented Tunisia in several instances at regional and international conferences.

At the beginning of my diplomatic career, I was in charge of political affairs regarding the Arab region, and then of those on multilateral relations and the UN, before joining the Presidency of the Republic as Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs Advisor to the President of the Republic in 2017 in charge of European, American, and multilateral affairs. That position had a great impact on my diplomatic career, and allowed me to top off my career with my nomination as ambassador. As an advocate for women’s rights in Tunisia and everywhere

else, I fought with my peers so that women could access decisional positions. I am really proud to be a female ambassador and to share all these values with many other colleagues and partners, especially here in Prague, where the dynamic diplomatic community is reinforced by around 20 female ambassadors and chargés d’affaires.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador? As a woman ambassador in a very friendly country with a long tradition of bilateral cooperation, I am very honoured and pleased to fulfil my mandate in such conditions. But as much as being an ambassador is a really exciting job, it has its downsides when it comes to family life. Finding a balance in this area can get complicated;

WITH H.E. MRS . YOSRA SOUIDEN, AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA

to me this might be the most difficult part of being an ambassador, or a diplomat in general.

Can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of ambassadors?

I am not 100% sure that we will need ambassadors in the classical sense of the word in the future. Anyway, younger generations are going to need a lot of flexibility and wit to adapt to the new requirements of the job, particularly new technologies and the new international challenges.

What was your first impression of the Czech Republic after your arrival?

I first came to the Czech Republic in January 2020, and Prague looked like a winter wonderland with its numerous Christmas markets and weather that is so different from the Tunisian one I got used to. I was struck by the uniqueness of Prague; the city was incomparable to any other place I had been to. Then, throughout the three years I spent in Czechia, I had the opportunity to build many friendships, and to discover the richness and refinement of Czech culture. I also had a chance to visit many cities in the Czech Republic, amongst which were the most famous cities of Brno, Karlovy Vary, and Český Krumlov. I must admit that this country has some of the most inspiring landscapes I have ever laid eyes on, making me understand why so many artists were inspired by the Czech Republic in their works.

It is a pleasure to hear that your first impression of Prague was so magical. Can you share more of your three-year experience in the country?

Time goes by very fast! Almost two years of this period were taken by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its related measures and restrictions. I think that this difficult episode of our lives will be unforgettable, especially for us diplomats. Indeed, direct contact is an indispensable tool in our work.

Despite that, I can say that during my stay in Prague I have had the chance and pleasure of representing the country of the Jasmine Revolution in the country of the Velvet Revolution. I met remarkable interlocutors, understanding and attentive to see peace and stability reign in Tunisia, which remains a close partner of Europe.

The strongest moment for me remains the gesture of friendship and solidarity that the Czech authorities expressed towards my country in July 2021, by offering Tunisia medical protective equipment at a time when the health crisis reached a critical level in my country.

Tell us about Tunisia, please.

Tunisia is an ambitious country known for its cultural diversity and the 3,000 year-old civilisation of Carthage. My country’s position is a real geo-strategic asset for Tunisia, and has been for centuries: located at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, it is a perfect pathway between the north and south of the

Mediterranean Sea, as well as between Europe and Africa. Moreover, Tunisia is a country with a young promising population that is qualified in several fields (such as medicine, engineering, law, etc.), and I believe that it is the result of the great choices Tunisia has made since its first years of independence. In fact, Tunisia has invested all of its resources in building a modern and liberal society, where education has been accessible to all citizens, serving as a social elevator, and where women’s rights have always been guaranteed by the Personal Status Code of 1956.

A group of four Tunisian civil society organisations were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015. What did they win the prize for?

As we just talked about, and it‘s important to remind it, Tunisia is a young, educated, and liberal nation that spoke out in 2011, demanding freedom, dignity, and employment, hence igniting the sparks of the Jasmine Revolution and embarking the country on a political, economic, and social transition. Since the process was not always easy from a political and economic point of view, and did not respond to the initial aspirations of the Tunisian people for a prosperous and stable democracy, Tunisia is now, after only a decade of transition, trying to rectify the process in order to consolidate its position as a lasting democratic experience in our region. In fact, the consecration of the democratic process, the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms are irrevocable and guaranteed as the foundation of social peace – for which Tunisia won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2015.

You represented your country in many multilateral conferences and forums, and you served as a representative of your country to UNESCO. Are such organisations still relevant today?

More than ever. The international system is, nowadays, an essential tool for diplomacy and international cooperation (whether bilateral, regional, or global).

Since the pandemic, it has been proven that not a single country can survive on its own. Climate-related issues are also a global concern, as well as globalisation as a whole, and the ongoing economic crisis we are facing.

Moreover, the fight against all forms of organised crime (such as the trafficking of weapons and human beings) and terrorist groups requires a combination of efforts and the exchange of expertise, making these international organisations relevant bodies.

What is the current status of Czechia - Tunisia relations?

I am pleased to tell you that the relations of friendship and cooperation between Tunisia and the Czech Republic, based since their creation on sincerity, mutual respect and trust, have been characterised during the past three years by a newfound dynamism. This especially resulted in the holding of a session of political consultations at the level of the Secretaries of State

WITH H.E. MRS . YOSRA SOUIDEN, AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA

of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, as well as many official contacts such as the visit of our Minister of Tourism. On the other hand, Czech people know Tunisia mainly as a tourist destination, and we would like to translate these friendship bonds into tight economic relations, reflecting the potential of both countries. Thus, we are organising a mixed economic commission this year, which will allow us to discuss together the means of strengthening and diversifying trade volume. Our trade in 2022 reached over 469,862,000 Euros, making Tunisia represent 11% of the Czech Republic’s trade with Africa, its 3rd biggest African supplier, and 4th biggest customer on the continent.

In this regard, the embassy makes every effort to promote Tunisia as a hub in Africa, and an open gate to many regional markets. Furthermore, we are working on connecting the economic operators of both countries in Prague, as well as in other dynamic regions of Czechia such as Brno and Zlín. A delegation of Tunisian businessmen visited Prague and Brno last November, and I hope that we could open up to various areas such as digital, mechanical, electrical, agrifood, and pharmaceutical industries, in which Tunisia is becoming a confirmed destination of foreign direct investments. In this context, I should also mention that we are benefiting from Czech expertise in the field of water treatment and management.

The prospects are promising, and, with my team, we will try to develop these exchanges.

You mentioned Czech tourists in Tunisia. Are you promoting your country to see tourist numbers rise even more?

Yes, it is part of our mission at the embassy to further increase this number, and to make my country, which is only a twohour flight away from Prague, better known to Czech tourists. Although known as a seaside tourism destination, Tunisia attracts tourists all year round as it has plenty to offer in winter too. In fact, it is the most popular season for thalasso centres and spas, with visitors from all around the world. It is also in winter that Tunisian and European golfers flock to our golf courses.

You can explore the country’s cultural richness, with Carthage of course, but also Dougga, Bulla Regia, and the Roman amphitheatre of El Djem. There are also many other amazing sites and gorgeous museums like the Bardo in Tunis and the archeological museum in Sousse, well known for their

exceptional collections of mosaics. The Tunisian Sahara is also becoming a popular destination for adventurers who enjoy racing and motorbike, 4x4, and quad bike adventures. Fortunately, after two years of the pandemic, the Czech tourist market is recovering, and even exceeds the levels witnessed before the health crisis. The figures of the Tunisian National Tourist Office recorded, in 2022, the entry of 111,243 Czech tourists (the 4th ranking nationality of tourists), against 12,692 in 2021 (an increase of +776.5%), and 107, 584 in 2019 (which was the reference year).

Tunisian officials certainly see this as a sign of the Czech people’s trust in our country. Perhaps it is also a sign of rapprochement, and we highly appreciate the cooperation between the two countries in the times of the pandemic, when Prague and Tunis put the two destinations on their list of safe countries and mutually recognized each other’s vaccination certificates.

There is no doubt that tourists can certainly enjoy their holidays in Tunisia. What about you – what do you do in your free time?

I love reading and music. During the numerous lockdowns we went through, I tried to do every activity I wanted to experience before, and I discovered the plastic arts, and, my favourite activity now, painting. Lately, I have been trying to go sightseeing in the Czech Republic, and enjoy the beauty and cultural richesses of the country (my favourite city being Český Krumlov).

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. What are you wishing for your country? And for the Czech Republic?

There are many similarities between our two countries and people, whose histories are affectionately linked to the Velvet Revolution and the Jasmine Revolution. In my country, we can consider that we have succeeded in making great strides since 2010, and the political transition is underway, despite all the difficulties it has encountered. The most important challenge to win is to achieve great economic reforms, and the process has already begun. The same thing happened in the Czech Republic, and the results are impressive. Your model can only be an inspiration to us.

So, as we celebrate one of the most important events of sovereign, free, open, and modern Tunisia, the 67th anniversary of its independence, I believe that Tunisia can count on its national assets, its dynamic and ambitious youth, as well as on the support and understanding of its partners, to find the path of economic prosperity to which the Tunisian people aspire.

I wish for both Tunisia and Czechia to stay prosperous and stable. To my fellow citizens here in the Czech Republic, and to all Tunisians, I also extend my best wishes for prosperity and personal accomplishments.

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MRS . YOSRA SOUIDEN, AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA

A farewell reception to H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Vatican Apostolic Nunciature; and H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea and his wife Mrs. Kim

H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Vatican Apostolic Nunciature giving a farewell present to H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambas sador of Korea and his wife from Ambassadors and spouses organization

H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim and his wife hosted a farewell reception at the great hall, New Embassy building of the Republic of Korea. H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, who is ending his role as Ambassador to the Czech Republic, was appointed as the Korean Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. We hope to see him again soon in Prague, acting in his new role.

We are bringing you the speech of H.E. Tae-jin Kim at the event.

„Distinguished guests and Excellencies, my dear fellow Koreans,

It is with mixed emotions that I stand before you today, as I bid farewell to this beautiful country and its gracious people. My three years in Prague out of 32 years of diplomatic career has been an unforgettable time of dream. I have had the privilege of calling this place my second home and working alongside many dedicated and talented people.

The Czech Republic has left a lasting impression on me, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and warm-hearted people. It is no wonder that countless people from all corners of the world are drawn to this place. In fact, I am now half Czech, usually saying that „there is no place like Prague“ wherever I go. Except for maybe Korean cuisine – yes, I will never give up my Kimchi!

One of the highlights of my time here was the opportunity to learn from the Dean and my fellow ambassadors. Each one represented their own country and brought a unique perspective to our circle. Your exceptional dedication and professionalism have made a profound impact on me, and I will always cherish the joyful memories we shared together.

As the Korean Ambassador, I could witness the deep and abiding friendship between Korea and Czechia. Despite the relatively short diplomatic relationship of just over 30 years and the geographical distance, our bond has grown at a remarkable pace. I am proud to have played a small role in this.

Of course, there were times when diplomacy was challenging, particularly in working with a European country that is so closely tied to the EU and European identity. But I never doubted the strength of our relationship. The trust that Czechia has placed in us, combined with our passion for this country, have

H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea and his wife Mrs. Kim

Mr. Petr Ocko, Director General, Ministry of Industry and Trade; H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea; and Gaeun Lee, 2nd Secretary, Embassy of Korea

always been the key to our successful partnership. The future holds many exciting opportunities to bring us even closer, with nuclear cooperation, further business investments and joint projects. While the economy has been the main driving force between us thus far, it is up to both our countries to ensure that this partnership extends into other areas as well. I have a firm belief that Czechia will continue to trust Korea, and that together, we can create a brighter future for us and the whole world.

Next week, I will be returning to Korea, but my heart will always remain here. I am committed to continuing my support for Czechia and to further strengthening our relationship. I thank you all for what we did together, and may our paths cross again soon. If any of you find yourselves in Seoul, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Děkuju and Na shledanou.“

PKF (string quartet) music band

H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea and his wife Mrs. Kim with Ms. Indhira Banares, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Phillipines; and Phone Lin Kyaing, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Myanmar with his wife

H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea; Mr. Meshulam Zisso, Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine; Mrs. Svetlana Codreanu, wife of Moldovan Ambassador; Mrs. Kim, wife of Korean Ambassador; H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša, Ambassador of Slovenia and her husband Mr. Toni Strni ša; and H.E. Mr. Grégoire Nicolas A. Cuvelier, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium

H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea and his wife Mrs. Kim with H.E. Mr. Nestor Francisco Popolizio Bardales, Ambassador of Peru

H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Vatican Apostolic Nunciature and H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Ambassador of Korea

LITHUANIA is a very good place for BUSINESS

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

When speaking about Czechia and Lithuania, H.E. Mr. Laimonas Talat-Kelpša, Ambassador of Lithuania, talks about a “relationship free of any trouble”. He supports his statement with the fact that “our trade hit an all-time record in 2022”, and that both countries have “a shared understanding of the past, a shared perception of contemporary challenges, and a shared vision of the future of Europe”.

Let’s get right to the point - what is the current status of Czechia–Lithuania relations?

How do you call a relationship free of any trouble?

They’d call it ‘clear skies’ in satellite imagery. We have a perfect relationship that is based on a shared understanding of the past, a shared perception of contemporary challenges, and a shared vision of the future of Europe. The Czech troops have been deployed in Lithuania as part of NATO’s collective security mission, and our trade relations are soaring. Obviously, there still are areas to explore and expand, but the general outlook is extremely positive.

You are among the ambassadors who arrived in Prague two years ago, during the height of COVID-19. What were your first impressions?

I arrived in Prague in September 2020, just a few days before the second lockdown. I remember my wife and I going to the opening concert of the new season at the Rudolfinum, the fantastic performance and the staggering picture of a thousand people, all covered in facemasks… A few days later, the emergency was declared. That indeed was a weird moment. Imagine: we had just arrived and checked in at our hotel. And we discover a few days later that the hotel will stop even serving breakfast. All public life in the city came to a standstill. So, as a foreigner, you don’t even know where to get your food and other essentials from, not to mention the social contacts you are expected to build as a diplomat. This moment is vividly stuck in my memory as the emblem of my first date with Prague. At the same time, the lockdown gave us a rare opportunity to explore the city, emptied of its touristic crowds. To visit all the iconic streets and bridges when there is no one else but history and you.

I treat this starting period with gratitude and respect. Prague and I have passed through a difficult moment together, which makes us brothers-in-arms, as we say in our culture.

The Czech-Lithuanian relationship is free of any trouble. Can you say the same about our economic exchange?

Our trade hit an all-time record in 2022. The annual statistics will be available in March, but the numbers for January-November already indicate unprecedented growth. Thus, our trade volume in January-November crossed 1.3 billion Euros (with 1.1 billion Euros of trade in 2021). This is more than Lithuania’s trade with China during its best period.

We import electronics, plastics, Škoda cars, and pharmaceutical products from Czechia, while we export plastics, electronics, tobacco products, and optical lasers to Czechia. The fact that we trade in similar categories is a testament to the equal character

of our partnership. Both Czechia and Lithuania have well-established industries, which increasingly join their hands and talent in mutually benefitting collaborations. Our membership in the EU Single Market makes the case even stronger. I expect that the unfolding transitions to digital and green economies will only consolidate our cooperation.

What stands behind the sensational growth of the Lithuanian economy lately?

‘Sensational’ is a strong word, but we must take two factors into account. One – Russia’s war in Ukraine, and two – China’s unprecedented economic pressure on Lithuania. No other European economy experienced the combination of both. And yet, despite these significant complications, the Lithuanian economy grew by 2.4%. The Central Bank had to revise its predictions several times during the year, and to everyone’s surprise, every time it was coming out with even more optimistic forecasts.

I believe we can single out three factors behind this spectacular performance. Firstly – the post-pandemic demand, when the companies and consumers started spending as never before. Secondly – the strong manufacturing base of the Lithuanian economy, which made us less vulnerable to the pandemic restrictions and post-pandemic disruptions than other European economies reliant on such industries as tourism. Lithuania attracted a total of 57 foreign direct investment projects in 2022, a significant share of it going to the construction of new plants and production facilities. Thirdly – heavy investment in the sectors of the New Economy, including hi-techs, fintechs, biotechs, and others. Today, biotechs generate almost 3% of the national GDP and laser production over 1%. As a leader in continental Europe by the number of licensed e-money and payment institutions, Lithuania is ranked in the TOP 10 of the Global Fintech Index. Add to this our complete independence in terms of energy supplies, and to our nearly complete insulation from the risks of authoritarian markets, and you realize Lithuania is a very good place for your business under these challenging circumstances.

How is the Russian war in Ukraine affecting your economy?

Initially, it has generated concerns about whether Lithuania is a safe place to stay. Our travel agencies had reported of certain groups cancelling their planned trips to Lithuania. But come on, Lithuania does not even have an immediate border with the warzone! Our companies had already borne the brunt of the Russian sanctions since the illegal annexation of Crimea, so, by and large, they have proven resilient to the most recent developments. Since 2014, we

have diverted our energy supplies from Russia – now we import oil and gas through our own terminals in Klaipėda. Thus, the war is affecting us mainly through global fluctuations. We have to buy more expensive oil and gas, which reflects on the final energy bill. We have to compete for industrial supplies with the companies that used to buy in Russia but no longer can. We have to divert public funds from economic investment to security and humanitarian spending. So, of course, there are implications. But they are minimal in comparison to what Ukraine has been suffering, and it is our obligation to help Ukraine win this war sooner.

Is your country a popular destination for Czech visitors?

This is a very good question. The geographical distance between Czechia and Lithuania is the same as between Czechia and Croatia. But if 80+% of the Czech people have been to Croatia, how many do you think have visited Lithuania? The statistical number for the year 2021 is 3,200. Of course, this is not enough. Why people travel south and avoid travelling north remains a puzzle. The sun and the sea are only a small part of the answer. The sooner we get to solving this puzzle, the larger amount of Czech travellers will have the opportunity to come and see Lithuania and the other Baltic states.

The EU presidency of the Czech Republic has just ended. Were your expectations fulfi lled?

First of all, I would like to compliment our Czech friends on their successful presidency. They had to steer the EU in very turbulent times, and had

managed well. The EU has consolidated itself and remained united vis-à-vis the Russian aggression. New sanctions have been introduced. The energy shock taken under control. The support package for Ukraine, including military support, was secured. The EU has even overcome its previous stalemate regarding enlargement, with Bosnia, Moldova, and Ukraine receiving candidate status, and Croatia joining both Schengen and the Eurozone. I believe we all emerged more optimistic about the EU, and supportive of it, after the Czech presidency, including the Czech people themselves.

This interview is done on your National Day. Would you like to share a few words on this occasion?

On 16th February, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Lithuanian Independence Restoration Day. It has its roots also here in Prague, because the first printed Lithuanian-language newspaper, which galvanized the national awakening in the 19th century, was produced and edited in Prague Vinohrady, on Balbínova Street. This Czech connection was hardly relevant to the newspaper’s contemporaries, as they were focused on different tasks. However, to our generation, it is a living reminder of how closely interconnected we, the Central European nations, are. I wish that we always remember and cherish our wider European roots, and build our future European house together. A house that definitely has a place for Ukraine.

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MR. LAIMONAS TALATKELPŠA, A MBASSADOR OF LITHUANIA

GREAT RESULTS are obtained with passion, persistence, and consistency

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“Man proposes but God disposes,” believes Ambassador of Ghana, H.E. Mr. James Komla Nyasembi. In our case, God seems to be on his side, as his working efforts were awarded a successful diplomatic career, as well as on the side of Czechia-Ghana relations, which were established in 1959 and have continued in a friendly manner ever since. What did the Ambassador’s childhood in Ghana look like? How does he perceive the responsibilities of a devoted diplomat? And what can Ghana offer to Czech tourists and businesses?

Can we start this interview with you telling us a bit about your experience growing up in Ghana?

I am the second born in a family of nine, and I come from Agotime Kpetoe in the Volta Region of the Republic of Ghana. My village and Bowri in the Ashanti Region are noted for the hand-woven and adorable Kente cloth, of which Ghana is highly accredited for. Growing up in the village, I, as a young boy, learned how to earn money by weaving Kente cloth since that was the main occupation of our parents. I engaged myself in the Kente weaving industry, and earned enough money to see myself through secondary school, followed by Bishop Herman College at Kpando, which is one of the most prestigious sixth-form schools in the Volta Region.

Did you then proceed with your university studies?

Upon my graduation from the college, I had the intention to enter the Ghana Army in 1982, but as fate would have it, I later shelved the idea and decided to travel abroad for higher university education. I obtained a Bachelor’s and Master of Science Degrees in International Relations from the University of Ife, which is now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in Nigeria. I also had the opportunity to attend the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and did other professional courses in Singapore and Thailand, just to mention a few.

Let me take this opportunity to convey my sincere appreciation to Prof. Edward Mensah of the University of Chicago, and to Prof. George Vukor Quarshie, for all of their assistance and support when in school. Indeed, great results are obtained with passion, persistence, and consistency.

I never gave up and God was on my side, and I made it to the top today.

Indeed, the position of an ambassador is the culmination of any diplomatic career. What made you become a foreign service officer in the first place? This is a good question. You know, when you are young, you tend to have a lot of fascinating ideas of what lies ahead of you as a profession. In fact, you often cannot settle on one until reality stares you right in the face.

At university, and looking closely at the academic environment and my lecturers at the time, I made up my mind to be in academia, and to work rigorously to become a Professor of International Relations, my choice of course at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, this could not materialise, and I had to look further afield for a career path. With no immediate option at the time, I went in for my National Service and was posted to the Public Services Commission. As God planned it, I met officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from there I decided to join the Ministry and follow the career path of a diplomat.

Once you decided to join the Foreign Ministry, has your path been straight to the top?

I made my first move to join the Foreign Ministry in 1997, but failed because my superiors at the Public Services Commission would not allow me to leave. I stayed on until ten years later, when another opportunity came – and this time, I was successful.

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MR. JAMES KOMLA NYASEMBI, AMBASSADOR OF GHANA

My years with the Commission gave me the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of the Civil and Public Services of Ghana, and made it possible for me to fit into the scheme of affairs at the Foreign Ministry. Thanks to hard work and a dedicated service, I went through the ranks as a career officer. Finally, in 2021, I was recommended for the position of ambassador by the Minister after 19 years at the Ministry, which was graciously approved by H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander in Chief of Ghana. I was appointed an Ambassador of Ghana to the Czech Republic.

What are your impressions of Czechia?

I arrived in the beautiful and well-acclaimed United Nations heritage city of Prague on 27th September 2021. It means that I have been in the Czech Republic for a year and five months, to be precise. I arrived during the COVID-19 period. I can vividly remember my first impression of a city with warm and loving people, ready to engage in conversation with foreigners and share a beer with them. In addition to the warmth of the nationals, the Czech Republic introduced itself to me as a country that protects everyone. The security of the capital city and the country as a whole is superb, and one can go around performing his diplomatic duties without any hindrance.

The layout of the city and its architecture reminded me of the city of Rome. The cathedrals, Charles Bridge, the Zoo, the great buildings of Prague 6, and the city’s history will forever remain in my memories. I noted that Prague, with its numerous tourists, never sleeps. I love the City of Prague and its inhabitants. There was truly a great transformation from socialism to capitalism, and the adaptation and the speed of development that took place in the Czech Republic are really tremendous and mind-blowing. The Czechs are hardworking people, and I am proud to be among Ghana’s ambassadors to serve in this country.

Where did you serve before being appointed to the Czech Republic?

As I already mentioned, I started my career with the Public Services Commission of Ghana after completing my National Service with the Commission in 1992. After working there for ten years, I left with the grade of Senior Administrative Officer/ Assistant Director I.

That period was followed by working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After five years, I was posted to Rome in October 2005, first as a desk officer for Political and Economic Affairs and later as a Deputy Head of Mission. My duty tour in Rome ended in September 2009.

Back home in 2009, I served as Deputy Director at the Human Resources and Administration Bureau of the Ministry under the late Ambassador Ekow Yankey. This was until 2012, when I was posted to the Ghana Mission in Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa as Minister-Counsellor, and assisted the ambassador in the discharge of his duties. It was a challenging

post, in the sense that I was not a Spanish scholar and depended on translators most of the time when dealing with local officials. The tour was fruitful in the end, and I returned home in August 2016. It’s worth noting that I earned my promotion to the grade of Director while serving in Malabo. Back at the Foreign Ministry in Accra, I served in various capacities at the Human Resources and Administration Bureau and the Americas Bureau, before I was appointed as Head of the Africa and Regional Integration Bureau, as well as Head of the ECOWAS National Office. Later, I headed the Ministry’s Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Bureau, before my posting to the country’s mission in Cuba, Havana in January 2017 as Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head for one year.

Then, I was crossed-posted to Lagos, Nigeria, where I spent three years as Ghana’s Consul General at the Lagos consulate. In August 2021, I was appointed as Ghana’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic. I am concurrently accredited to the Slovak Republic, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Poland, and Hungary. As an ambassador, I presented my credentials to His Excellency President Miloš Zeman at the Lány Chateau on Monday 20th December 2021.

What do you find the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

The truth is that compliments from friends and colleagues become history once you report at the post and dive into action as an ambassador. First of all, you have to develop your own strategy on how to have an effective and efficient team in place in order to aid the work of the ambassador.

If the Head of Chancery, the Deputy Head of Mission, and the Secretary to the Ambassador are “seated well” and provide the needed support, then everything is all right and you can enjoy smooth sailing. A strong team provides magnificent results. And I do have such a team in place.

Some of the difficulties encountered by ambassadors in the discharge of their duties may relate to the following: a language barrier, a lack of effective planning for the mission, and an inability to attend all diplomatic meetings if two or three are planned for the same day. Another aspect of these difficulties may relate to satisfying the needs of your countrymen and women in the host country. Fortunately for me, a larger number of Ghanaians in the Czech Republic are in suitable employment, and respect the laws and rules of the country. Our students here are also hard working, and take their studies seriously.

Information gathering, negotiation, and getting the needed support from institutions in the host country are all vital to the success of an ambassador. The Ghanaian mission has enjoyed favourable relations with the Czech Foreign Ministry; hence difficulties are limited. My major challenge, unfortunately, is the lack of funds to carry out the planned activities. However, some Ghanaians who studied in Czechia are at the forefront and help to promote Ghana in many fields.

To summarize my answer, I can state that the difficulties are

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MR. JAMES KOMLA NYASEMBI, AMBASSADOR OF GHANA

minimal with my strong team of officers and Ghanaians in the Czech Republic.

Can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of ambassadors?

For future ambassadors, I would like to point out the need for selfless devotion to duty, and a penchant for excellence in all activities they undertake in the host country. Interaction with the officials of their country of accreditation on a regular basis goes a long way to pave way for good relations, and for the sharing of vital information.

As I already said earlier, ambassadors, both career and political ones, should work closely with their staff and create a good working environment, where they can tap into ideas that will help accomplish their goals and aspirations in the complex fields of diplomacy in the changing world of the 21st century. Ambassadors should be conversant with their home country, and have pencilled down the needs of their people in order to be able to identify the opportunities that can benefit their country. Knowledge of the economic, cultural, political, social, and human resource potentials of their country can serve as a guide to what they need to do at their post.

Last but not the least, a newly appointed ambassador to any

country of the world should be able to tour many parts of that country and learn about the history and culture there. Indeed, for effective diplomacy, an ambassador should have “foreign languages, strong analytical, organisational, and leadership skills, good judgement, and high integrity”, and should not shy away from colleagues.

Do you have any free time to enjoy yourself?

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and all play and no work makes Jack a lazy boy” – so goes the saying, and this applies to all human beings, no matter their status in life. Apart from engaging in real diplomatic activities in the host country, I find time to watch football and take walks in parks around my area. I also appreciate nature; hence I find time for sightseeing and bird watching. Back home, I engage in activities such as gardening and engaging school children in tree planting, as well as other environmental activities.

Can you tell us more about your environmental activities?

I would begin by indicating that it should be the general concern of each one of us to prioritize issues relating to the protection of the environment. We all know that when the

From right: Mr. Ahmed Tijani Abubakari, Deputy Head of Ghana Mission; H.E. Mr. James Komla Nyasembi, Ambassador of Ghana; and Dr. John Y. Logah, Ghanaian Neurosurgeon in the Czech Republic with a team who intend to setup a Ghana Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)

last tree dies, the last man also dies. Mother Earth provides all that we see around us, and if we neglect the protection of mother Earth we are digging our own graves, since the consequences will be unbearable to us. The over-exploitation of the world’s natural resources, the pollution of our oceans, rivers, and lakes, and the destruction of our forests are beginning to impact our lives in a negative way.

I have developed a strong interest in the environment over the past 30 years, and this compelled me to join the Evergreen Club of Ghana and serve as its General Secretary, with Madam Sukeena Bonsu as the Club’s Executive Secretary. The aim of the Club is to “draw the interest of children and youth into the protection of trees and the environment as a whole”. Based on the Club’s objectives, environmental clubs were established in some junior secondary schools in Ghana, with the support of teachers to instil environmental protection activities into the children. Tree planting is a major part of our activities.

I am currently working closely with a Slovak NGO engaged in the Planting of Trees for Peace Initiative. I strongly believe that the outcome will be beneficial to Ghana, especially in the area of forest protection and the degradation of the landscape in the mining communities.

Do your country’s natural resources make Ghana an attractive holiday destination?

Tourism is a key economic driver in Ghana. The tourism sector has generated foreign exchange earnings, and has created jobs and wealth, as well as stimulated other sectors. Ghana as a country has many breathtaking tourist attractions, thanks to our natural resources’ endowments.

Ghanaian wildlife species account for 222 mammals, 128 reptiles, 38 amphibians, and 721 bird species. There are also about 20 national parks and reserves, covering approximately 5% of Ghana’s total land surface. With waterfalls, Ghana can boast of Kintampo Waterfall, Wli Waterfall, and Boti Waterfall. With regards to animal sanctuaries, the country has Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, Paga Crocodile Pond, Mole National Park, and monkey sanctuaries like Buabeng Fiema and Tafi Atome.

Tourists are also interested in Ghana’s African cultural heritage. Do you promote this side of Ghana too?

The country has over 30 forts and castles. Among the most visited are Elmina and Cape Coast castles, and Manhyia Palace Museum, which has historic relics and artefacts of Ashanti Kings. You can also visit quite a number of religious monuments, such as Larabanga Mosque, which is among the oldest mosques in West Africa. Other man-made attractions include the Akosombo Dam, conference facilities, hotels, casinos, art galleries, and bustling nightlife, among others. Ghana has over 30 festivals celebrated by different ethnic groups in different calendar months. Recently, the month of December began our greatest celebration season. For those who enjoy sports, Ghana offers paragliding events that are held every Easter season, plus also sports such as soccer, boxing, golf, etc.

Promoting tourism requires showing the many available attractions to the Czech people and inviting them to visit Ghana. Above all, Ghanaians living in Czechia should always act as tourism ambassadors of Ghana. Cultural shows and concerts of our music in Prague and other cities should be encouraged.

The Czech - Ghanaian relations date back to the time of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. Did this era leave a great mark in Ghana?

Indeed, the political and economic ties between Ghana and the Czech Republic date back to Ghana’s First Republic, under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic were established in 1959. Since then, the Czech Republic and Ghana have maintained diplomatic missions and exchanged envoys at the ambassadorial levels in their respective capitals. Fifteen Ghanaian envoys have served in Prague, and I am the sixteenth on the list.

The Czech contribution to Ghana’s socio-economic development efforts is massive, and I can immediately recount the assistance in the establishment of strategic industries in some parts of the country during the First Republic. The Aboso Glass Factory, Saltpond Ceramics, Kade Match Factory, Komenda Sugar Factory, and the Kumasi Shoe Factory, among others, featured in Ghana’s economic development in the 60s. We need the Czechs back to revive some of these collapsed companies.

What is the current status of Czechia – Ghana relations? Since my assumption of duty as ambassador, Ghana - Czechia relations have been given a boost, in both the political and economic spheres. A notable event behind this state of affairs was the successful visits of the countries’ representatives, which I would like to mention here.

– The working visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana to Prague in February 2022.

– The official working visit to Prague by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana in September 2022. While in Prague, the Deputy Minister held discussions with his Czech counterpart, Martin Tlapa, on bilateral and multilateral issues of interest to Ghana.

– The visit to Accra by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Martin Tlapa, and the fruitful discussions held on this occasion.

– The visit to Accra by the first Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jiří Kozák, accompanied by a delegation of members of the Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Medical Devices, and representatives of financial houses, in July 2022. This visit was in order to discuss the ongoing projects of building regional hospitals, among other health issues. Note that

the meeting afforded the two sides the opportunity to explore avenues for the enhancement of bilateral relations and cooperation on health, as well as peace and security issues within the West African and Sahel regions.

– The visit to Accra by the Deputy Minister for Defence of the Czech Republic in July 2021, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of Ghana on Defence Cooperation during the visit, which would enable the two sides to work closely in addressing security challenges both in Ghana and in the region.

– The two-day exploratory visit to Ghana by the delegation of experts on cyber security from the Czech

Republic, led by the Minister of Justice, Pavel Blažek, to discuss issues pertaining to cyber security with some relevant Ghanaian stakeholders. The discussions culminated in the proposals for practical collaboration.

The current status of the bilateral relations is also illustrated through the cooperation of the two countries in various international fora, including support for each other’s candidatures for positions at various multilateral institutions. Aside from the above, other activities under economic diplomacy have been through infrastructure development. For instance, the construction of 50 steel bridges across the country, the setting up of tram and railways in the Ashanti region of Ghana, and the ongoing building of hospitals, among others.

Ghana is celebrating its 66th Independence Anniversary this year, therefore we asked Ambassador Nyasembi for a few words on this occasion.

Firstly, I would like to say that Ghana is celebrating her 66th birthday. The proclamation of our Independence was made at the Polo Ground in Accra on 6th March 1957, when our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, declared: “At long last, the battle has ended! and thus, Ghana your beloved country is free forever.” He further stated that “our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa”.

On this occasion of the 66th Independence Anniversary of Ghana, it is my honour to extend to all my compatriots in the Czech Republic and countries of concurrent accreditation, warm felicitations. Sixty-six years of Ghana’s independence should make us all proud as a people, irrespective of our challenges. I wish my countrymen and women peace, joy, love of one another, and God’s blessing in whatever venture they are into. Secondly, I also call for unity of purpose in tackling our current economic challenges, in order to create a better future for our children and mother Ghana. Let us resolve to live in peace, join our hands together in all spheres of life, and devote our thoughts and energies to building a better Ghana, and, for that matter, a better, prosperous, and resilient Africa. To my compatriots, I would like to state that nation building is a collective enterprise and is the responsibility of all citizens, both at home and abroad. Therefore, I entreat everyone to contribute their quota to the building of a better nation.

We as a nation have suffered the pains of COVID-19, the terrible impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the downturn in our economy, and other challenges that may not allow us to celebrate our national day as

planned. I therefore entreat each of us in the diaspora to contribute our quota to the building of a better and prosperous Ghana. I hope and believe that things will turn around for mother Ghana, and we shall have a grand 67th birthday celebration in 2024. Let me use this opportunity to thank the government and the good people of the Czech Republic, and to thank our development partners for the sound relations, friendship, and support received from them over the past six years.

As we commemorate our Independence Day, I wish to state that Ghana will continue to work towards global peace, security, democracy, good governance rule of law, and respect for human rights, which are the underlying factors for human prosperity and development in Ghana. We are confident that Ghana can count on the cooperation and support of the Czech government and people in her efforts to harness its resources for national growth and development. I wish to use this medium to invite the Czech business community to consider Ghana as a viable investment destination.

I would also like to invite the Czech people to visit and enjoy Ghana’s beautiful coastlines, forts and castles, flora and fauna, and the charm of the beautiful people of Ghana. Above all, we are inviting the business community to come and take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). Ghana is a viable investment and tourism destination.

Long live Ghana. Long live Czechia. Thank you!

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MR. JAMES KOMLA NYASEMBI, AMBASSADOR OF GHANA

From New York to Prague

Originally from Prague 8, upon the completion of her studies Pavlína Prokešová decided to try her luck and explore new adventures in New York City. Twenty years later, and with a ton of experience and success in the Real Estate field of NYC under her belt, she returned home to Prague. During the two COVID-19 years, she was able to establish RealLocate, a successful Real Estate and Relocation firm here in Prague centre. Let’s see what she has learnt about her business in the two different capitals.

They say, if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. What brings you back from the Big Apple? Well, for me it is very simple – coming home. After 20 years of running a successful Real Estate Brokerage and raising a family in Manhattan, it was time to find the right balance between work and family life.

Were you planning to open a Real Estate Company in Prague?

Funnily enough, my plan was to put real estate to sleep and find new career opportunities. As it turns out, real estate is my destiny. My real estate career started with a stroke of luck – a housing need and assistance request

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

by a few international students at the Charles University Medical Faculty. As a mother and someone who relocated to a foreign country at a young age, I can understand the worries of the student’s parents for one, and the struggles and obstacles that lay ahead of such a move. Even though Prague is a cosmopolitan city, many real estate professionals still do not communicate in a foreign language, nor do they provide extra customer service, which is common abroad. I realized that expat communities in Prague are missing a comprehensive service provider for their real estate needs, one with adequate customer service, a continuous relationship, and follow-up.

Which services do you offer to your clients? Do you work only with expats?

Over the past two years, I was able to build the boutique firm RealLocate with a professional team of brokers. We are a team of seven, speaking English, French, German, Hebrew, and Czech. We cover all aspects of real estate services relocation, rentals, sales, property management, student housing, and investments. Our portfolio includes many properties in the city centre, so we do work with many expats. We also offer buyer’s agent service, which has become more popular in the past year. But to answer your question – our doors are open to all customers; we provide services to all.

How is the Prague real estate market, compared to the one in New York?

Well, many people have asked me the exact same question. In its principle, it is the same. I find Prague to be a city with more opportunities (than New York), and a place where you can grow and bring forth innovation. The main place for improvement is definitely the customer service area. One of the biggest advantages, at least for me, is forming connections with property owners and developers; I am a strong believer that with positivity and hard work, the sky is the limit. It has always worked for me.

What is your strategy for the current market conditions?

Over the years, I have experienced the real estate market’s ups and downs. It is just a matter of time before the market corrects itself and goes back to normal. From the point of view of an agent, it is important not to put all of your eggs in one basket – specifically now when sales are downshift to rentals. I strongly believe in being a hybrid agent, meaning doing everything (rather than just one specific thing) in order to survive the storm when it hits. My recommendation to my clients is to hold on to their property if they can, and to not panic. To my investors – the current market condition is a great environment for new investments, especially with rental prices rising.

Since you are entering a market with alreadyestablished big players, what is your niche?

My main niche, I would say again, is the level of customer service. Understanding that our job does not end with the collection of the commission, but just begins. You can check our Google reviews. The fact that my company is a boutique and that overheads are low allows me to have very competitive pricing of our services in comparison to our competition. For me, it is about quality, not quantity.

What should we expect from RealLocate in 2023?

Our main focus is to secure and leave our mark on the Real Estate market. We were able to secure over 54,000m2 of residential leasing over the past two years. Our focus is BTR (“build to rent”) projects – projects with large amounts of units particularly for leasing only. We have a proven track record of effectively managing such projects. I believe that 2023 is a year of BTR, and we are ahead of the game. It is all about volume, and the technological optimization of the process.

Do you believe in giving back to the community?

Yes, I do! Life is all about balance. Every year we organize an event for new international students at Charles University. It’s comforting to already know someone on the first day of school. We are planning a few charity events this year to support a variety of organizations. The main purpose is to bring different business worlds together, and to do some good while networking. The next event will be supporting Agora7, an organization that takes care of and services senior citizens in need. This event will be held in March, and will also include art pieces of new and established artists in the form of an auction.

I

heard whispers about “woman empowerment” –what does that mean to you?

As the daughter of a mother who has run a successful business for over 30 years, and the mother of two daughters, I want to lead by example. Women can do it all and enjoy the process while building their career and care for their families. I would also like to encourage women on maternity leave and stay-at-home moms who are looking to continue and grow their careers. Real estate is a platform that offers flexibility and financial Independence. I am always free for a coffee to discuss their options.

For further info, you can contact Pavlína at pavlina@reallocate.cz or her team at www.RealLocate.cz

Not only is Prague the first place where H.E. Mr. Danilo Alonso has served as an ambassador of his country, but he is also the first Cuban ambassador in the Czech Republic since it was formed in 1993. As he says in our interview: “There are some issues on which we hold different positions, but there are more issues that unite us, and we work on them”. The Ambassador also acknowledges the fact that Cuba is among the Czech people’s favorite tourist destinations, and suggests visiting the Cuban Embassy’s stand at the annual Prague and Brno Tourism Fairs.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your professional career before being appointed as Ambassador of Cuba in Prague?

I was born in Havana, the capital of Cuba, in 1951. In 1973 I graduated from the University of Havana with a degree in Physics. I became a professor, and for over ten years worked in the Secretariat for Nuclear Aff airs in Cuba. My duties consisted of attending to the

preparation of personnel for nuclear activity in Cuba. In those years, I visited many countries where Cuba had students studying at universities. Among those countries was also Czechoslovakia, which I visited twice in the 80s. It was then that I was able to get to know Prague, and admire its architecture and the beauty that characterizes this city, for the first time. Since its foundation, I went to work for the Ministry of

I am honored to serve my country as an ambassador – for the first time

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Science, Technology, and the Environment of Cuba, where I held various positions, including that of an advisor to the minister and vice minister, until my appointment as Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

You are not a career diplomat; how did you prepare for your ambassadorial duties?

Indeed, as you can see from my previous answer, this is my first experience as an ambassador. I consider it a high honor, having been proposed to occupy the position of Ambassador in the Czech Republic by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba.

During my work in the science sector, I accumulated experience in short-term work missions to different countries in Latin America, Europe, and Africa, which certainly contributed to my preparation as an ambassador. Diplomatic work is a new and good experience for me.

You have been in the Czech Republic for four years. What did you learn about us Czechs?

My experience in the Czech Republic has been very positive and comforting. I have been able to meet interesting people, and see very beautiful and preserved places. I have also learnt about the character of the Czech people and your sense of responsibility and discipline, as well as the way you organize your work.

Many people in the Czech Republic know about my country, either because they worked there for a while, have relatives who did, or because they went to Cuba as tourists. In all cases, they keep very pleasant memories of their stay in Cuba and let me know (about it), which also makes us Cubans feel better. Unfortunately, during the four years we all lived through the experience of COVID-19, which prevented me from having further contact and visiting other regions of the country. Despite this, I have managed to visit several regions. I saw some factories, research centers, universities, schools, and social centers. I also met with local authorities and Czech friends, with whom I had the opportunity to share and talk about Cuba and the relations between both countries.

Did you have to change your lifestyle when you became a diplomat?

I believe that being an ambassador does not substantially change my lifestyle. It is a new experience for me, in which I have had the opportunity to meet colleagues from different countries and exchange experiences with them.

It is also a major responsibility to be the representative of my country before the Czech authorities, which I have assumed with dedication, and the desire to do the best possible job.

Can you give a piece of advice to the young people who wish to become responsible ambassadors in the future?

My advice to new ambassadors is very simple: prepare very well, study and learn every day, be well informed, and have a general and comprehensive knowledge of culture that allows you to talk about different topics, within reason. Don’t complicate things, and be grateful for the opportunity to meet new cultures and people.

Since you worked at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment of Cuba for many years, would you like to share a piece of wisdom in this respect here?

I do not think I am able to advise the Czech Republic on these issues. I can only say that collaboration, and scientific and technical cooperation between different countries, is a way to strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between people who live in different regions – it is an effective contribution towards peace between peoples. In all countries, big or small, there are opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. Science and technology, when used correctly, render an invaluable service to friendship and solidarity, and will allow us to build a better world for all.

Many Czech people find Cuba a fascinating holiday destination. Do you support this inclination?

I agree that Cuba is a very interesting tourist destination for the Czechs. Despite there being no direct flights between Prague and Havana, as there were in previous years, over 10,000 Czech tourists went to Cuba annually before the pandemic. In 2022, the Cuban tourist destination began to recover, and around 5,000 tourists traveled to Cuba. We hope that in 2023 this figure will multiply and reach its previous levels.

Cuba has tourist facilities in all of its provinces, beautiful beaches, a pleasant atmosphere, and above all very friendly people, who are always willing to help tourists and people who visit the country.

Czech tourists really like to tour Cuba, and among their preferred destinations are Viñales, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, the paradisiacal keys, and of course Havana and Varadero. In our consulate, there is tourist information about Cuba, supported by different media that those who visit us like a lot. At the Prague and Brno Tourism Fairs, we also have an annual promotional stand that is highly visited by attendees. Several Czech travel agencies organize trips to Cuba, and facilitate the stay of tourists in our country. The granting of tourist visas is also a very simple and expedited process.

What is the current status of Czech – Cuban relations?

Relations between our countries are normal. Both countries have embassies in their respective capitals. A systematic exchange is maintained, and interchancellery consultations are carried out to analyze issues of common interest.

Cuba has thanked the Czech government for its moral support to achieve the elimination of the economic blockade that our country has been subjected to for over 60 years, and which constitutes a true violation of the human rights of Cubans. There are some issues on which we hold different positions, but there are more issues that unite us, and we work on them.

I can’t forget to mention a commercial exchange between both countries, which we aspire to continue increasing. There is also an exchange in some spheres of science. I believe that there are areas of culture, health, and knowledge in which relations could be increased for the benefit of both countries.

This interview is done on the occasion of the National Day of Cuba. Do you have any wishes for your country and Czechia too?

I would like the relations between the two countries to continue to strengthen for the good of our countries and peoples.

For Cuba in particular, I would like the US government to eliminate the economic, commercial, and financial blockade that we have resisted for over 60 years, and that affects the Cuban economy so much, and to eliminate Cuba from the unfair list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

For both countries, I would like a world of peace and friendship, in which matters are resolved amicably and on equal terms. The world has urgent problems to solve such as climate change and sustainable development for all countries and regions. For that, friendship, collaboration, and peace without conditioning or impositions, are essential. Many wishes may seem utopian at first, but sooner or later they will have to come true if we want everyone’s common home, the planet, to survive existing threats.

Ambassador Danilo Alonso and Vanesa Ortega Guerrero, First Secretary in charge of consular affairs

Bees are our FRIENDS

LET’S APPRECIATE THEM MORE

World Bee Day and Slovenia

Did you know that it was Slovenia who proposed that the 20th of May be celebrated as World Bee Day? It happened on December 2017 at the United Nations, and the proposal was unanimously approved by all UN member states. World Bee Day was initiated by the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, and enjoyed immense support from the Republic of Slovenia’s government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The date was chosen to honour Anton Janša, a Slovenian pioneer of modern apiculture, who was born on May 20th. Nowadays, World Bee Day is an important event that educates the public about the role of bees and the threats they face. It is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the importance of bees and their habitats. World Bee Day provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, and concerned citizens to promote actions that protect and enhance pollinators, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of agriculture. With the support of Apimondia (The International

Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations) and the United Nations, World Bee Day highlights the significance of bees for food security, climate change mitigation, environmental conservation, and human well-being.

Nature and bees are one

Bees play a critical role in pollinating crops and wild plants, which is essential to maintaining biodiversity and food security. Bees and other pollinators are significant to our livelihood, as they help pollinate most of the crops that we consume. However, the bee population has been declining in recent years due to a variety of factors, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Without bees, we would not be able to solve the widespread issues of hunger and poverty. The celebration of World Bee Day encourages every concerned citizen and environmentalist to help protect bees and their habitats. It is important to support beekeeping and conservation efforts in order to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for both humans and other species.

Text: H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša, Slovenian Ambassador to the Czech Republic and her husband Mr. Anton Strniša; Photo: Archive

Beehive with observing beehive and bees

At the Embassy of Slovenia in Prague garden, we have a two-storey beehive, a gift from the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association. In June 2020, we settled two bee colonies in the apiary. One colony consists of one queen, up to 60,000 bees, and a few hundred to a few thousand broods

Honey Breakfast in an international kindergarten in Prague (Nika Rotar)

On the third Friday in November, we celebrate the Slovenian Honey Breakfast, which consists of fresh bread, butter, milk, apples and, of course, honey. The Deputy Ambassador, Nika Rotar, has been educating children about the importance of bees through the medium of the honey breakfast in an international kindergarten in Prague

Preparing for honey extraction (Anton Strniša)

When working with bees, we use special protective clothing to protect us from bee stings. Smoke is used for calming the bees

DiploHoney

BeeDiplomacy in practice - honey from the garden of the Embassy of Slovenia named DiploMed/DiploHoney

Save the bees!

We need bees, so do your part in protecting them. Some examples of what you can do to help: Plant flowers in your garden, balcony, and / or on your windowsill

Buy raw honey from local beekeepers

Avoid using pesticides in your gardens

Let the plants in your garden grow, avoid cutting them too short

Raise awareness and share this information within your community

Bees also have a very significant role at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Prague, as they have lived in a traditional Slovenian beehive in the garden for over two years now. More specifically, it is Carniolan

bees, from Slovenia, which are housed there. The bees at the Embassy are tended to by the Ambassador’s spouse, Anton Strniša, who has educated himself in beekeeping for this sole purpose.

In the past few years, it has also become a tradition to celebrate the Slovenian Traditional Honey Breakfast, which consists of fresh bread, butter, milk, apples and, of course, honey. Every year it falls on the third Friday in November. The Deputy Ambassador, Nika Rotar, has been educating children about the importance of bees for the world through the medium of the honey breakfast in different schools in Prague. These are our small but important steps for the protection and wellbeing of bees.

Bojan Kastelic with hive frame, spotting the young new bee queens

Honey extraction (Anton Strniša)

In June or July, the most beautiful part of beekeeping takes place - the honey extraction. The quantity of honey depends on the weather, the outside temperatures, and the flowering plants near the apiary

Beehive Toni Petr (Anton Strniša, Petr Stibor)

The bees are tended to by the Ambassador’s husband, Anton Strniša, with the help of Czech beekeeper Petr Stibor and Slovenian beekeeper Bojan Kastelic

Feeding the bees with sugar syrup (Anton Strniša) The beekeeper’s work starts at the end of February, with the first bee inspection. This is also when we start feeding the bees with sugar syrup or honey cake

In April and May, we make sure the bees do not swarm. Swarming occurs when there is more than one queen in the hive, so the old queen flies off to a nearby tree, taking some of the bees with her. If this is spotted in time, the swarm is caught and placed in a new hive, but if not, part of the bees and the queen are lost

We want our citizens to FEEL at HOME HERE

“It is up to us to make sure that the locals will not leave the centre of the city, and that it does not become just an empty ‘museum’”, says Terezie Radoměřská, Mayor of Prague 1. The former Český Šternberk castle manager, member of the Šternberk family, and TOP09 political party explains what brought her to local politics, and what vision she has carried out.

You worked as a castellan at Český Šternberk, the castle that was restored by your uncle, Zdeněk Sternberg. Can you look back and tell us a bit about the castle?

It is obvious that Český Šternberk is the most beautiful castle in the world! No, seriously - it is one of the oldest castles in our country, founded by Zdeslav in 1241. This Zdeslav, originally Zdeslav from Divišov, began calling himself Zdeslav from Šternberk, and this is where the family name originates. What is interesting is that the castle is still owned by the family, precisely by my cousin Filip. The castle is originally early gothic, but was partially rebuilt in almost all architectonic styles of our history. And finally, the feature appreciated by many visitors - it is built high above the Sázava river, and as such it dominates very nicely to the river valley. Of course, my answer might be slightly biased, but the truth is that I am very fond of the castle and the region. It was a big adventure working there.

Back to the present time now. You are a member of the TOP09 party. What brought you here?

I was politically active in the past as part of the liberalconservative Unie Svobody party. So, when Karel Schwarzenberg, my distant relative and close friend, founded TOP09 I did not hesitate to join. When I got the offer to

work for TOP09 in the education field I was very glad that I could help. Later, I felt the same as a general secretary of the party, and as an advisor in the senate. So, yes, it was Karel Schwarzenberg who brought me to TOP09.

How did you become the Mayor of Prague 1?

When you work in the back office of a political party for some time, meet the politicians daily, and know the legislation processes, it is only logical that one day you think it is time to take some of the political responsibility into your own hands. And that makes you think about where you can be useful. I have lived in Prague 1 all my life, so it was a natural decision to work in this area. I was very lucky to find support, and meet many dedicated people in the regional TOP09 branch here. From this point, it was just one step to run for office. And becoming mayor? For this, I am grateful to the people who voted for me.

What is the mayor responsible for? Are the eight working hours enough for that?

I can see four basic roles for a mayor to fulfil. Firstly, the mayor is a statutory representative by law. This means he or she represents the municipality in formal acts such as signing

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mayor of Prague 1 Terezie Radoměřská and 1st Deputy Mayor of Prague 1 David Bodeček

Mayor of Prague 1 Terezie Radoměřská and Mayor of the City of Prague (2018-2023) Zdeněk Hřib

contracts, official meetings, and negotiations. This relates to the second role, which is the social one - representing the municipality at various cultural, social, and diplomatic events and meetings, maintaining existing contacts, and establishing new ones that can contribute to the development of the district. The third role takes place on a management level. The mayor is the head of the council, manages its meetings, and together with the councillors establishes a development strategy for the city. He or she must also work with the opposition to prevent conflicts which can divide the citizens. And the fourth role is being a person responsible to the citizens. The mayor must keep their doors open for the citizens at all times, always being prepared to meet, hear out, and, whenever possible, help the citizens. Personally, I find this role the most important, as it establishes a mutual trust between the citizens and the municipality administration. And how many hours do I work? I usually start at 8 a.m., because I still have to make sure my children are at school in the morning. Sometimes, I finish by 6 p.m., and then there are either some social events in the evening, or I study various materials at home. So, I estimate this to be about 12 hours per day on average.

You were elected as the Mayor of Prague 1 several months ago. Can you share some of your impressions so far?

First of all, it has been a big joy because it is a clear result of the long-time efforts by our TOP09 team. But it has also been a feeling of responsibility, not only to the people who voted for me but to the whole district. Originally, I was a history student. Maybe that is why I feel a deep responsibility to both the generations of the past and of the future. We are just temporarily managing the area for the future, but we will always be compared with our best predecessors, and will always be a good or bad inspiration for those who will come after us.

Where in Prague 1 do you see the most issues to be worked on?

The city of Prague – and especially our district – faces a big

challenge with over-tourism and all of its related negative aspects. It is up to us to make sure that the locals will not leave the centre of the city, and that it does not become just an empty ‘museum’. Another problem is the traffic, which is a heavy burden for the central district, including the related problems with parking. We also need to pay enough attention to challenges connected with climate change, especially (by committing) to plant more trees.

Mayor of Prague 1 Terezie Radoměřská and Karel Schwarzenberg, politician, founder of TOP09

I hope we can implement our program, and find solutions to the most significant challenges. We want to create a place where tourists are the welcome guests, who also act like guests. Where the locals can park, the centre does not look like a supermarket parking lot, and the summer temperatures do not climb so high that you cannot breathe. We would like – and this is very important for me – for our citizens to feel at home here.

What is your working strategy for Prague 1 for the next four years?

We would like to reduce alcotourism, not only by getting effectively in touch with local businesses but also by municipal police enforcing. We would like residential parking zones to be truly available for the residents. We would like to make the city greener, and to have local citizens be involved participants in the development of the district. We have so many topics that we cannot be sure if four years will be enough!

A mayor’s job tends to come with a lot of criticism. How will you handle that?

I think it is alright to criticize someone, as long as the criticism makes a point and is done in a decent manner. It makes me sad when someone, not knowing the true background of things, automatically accuses others of failing. On the other hand, I am learning not to pay attention to vulgarisms and dirty manners - though thankfully they are not too commonas they say more about their author than about me.

Four years from now, will people say that you were effective?

I hope so! We have a good team and good ideas, and we know how to implement them. But please, ask me this question again in four years.

Prague 1 Councillor for Health Michal Müller, Mayor of Prague1 Terezie Radoměřská, Head of Prague1 Financial Committee Giancarlo Lamberti

Mayor of Prague 1 Terezie Radoměřská and Karel Schwarzenberg, politician, founder of TOP09

INTERVIEW WITH PAVLA DOLEŽALOVÁ, CHAPMAN TAYLOR PRAGUE

Interior DESIGN TRENDS have become very DIVERSE

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

We first met with Pavla Doležalová at the networking event Trifecta, where she was a special guest and gave a presentation about a range of architecture and interior design services she and her team provide. She is head of the interior design team at Chapman Taylor’s Prague studio. Chapman Taylor is an award-winning global architectural practice, working from 15 studios around the world. We asked Pavla to talk about contemporary trends in interior design, and about the projects she and her team are currently working on.

Can you introduce Chapman Taylor to our readers, in case they haven’t heard of you yet?

Chapman Taylor is a global practice of award-winning architects, masterplanners, and interior designers. As a connected international business, we can offer a wide range of expertise to our clients through close collaboration between our studios. Chapman Taylor works across a wide range of sectors, and specialises in residential, retail, leisure, hospitality, and workplace design, as well as the combination of these in largescale mixed-use environments.

Our Prague studio was established in 1998, and we work mainly in the masterplanning, mixed-use, residential, retail and workplace sectors.

So, Pavla, what are some of the interior design trends we should be aware of these days?

Interior design trends have become very diverse over the last few years due to a number of factors. One issue we cannot ignore is the fact that we have recently spent more time at home because of the pandemic. This has forced people to slow down a bit, and think about how we use our private spaces, as well as what is important for our quality of life. We have also become more aware of our environment, and of the impact that we have as humans on the world we live in – where things come from, what we consume, and how we spend our money.

Interior design shapes how we decorate and style our homes, offi ces, restaurants, and hotels. It includes every aspect of the space from the moment we enter a building, starting with the colours, shapes, the

selection of materials, how we use light, and which accessories we add for functional and decorative purposes. Every season there is pressure to use new colours, new textures, or newer and more sustainable materials.

Can you describe, in more detail, some recent trends and what drives them?

Underlying all these choices and changes in fashion is the importance of the different moods and atmospheres we can create. Over recent years, there has been a shift towards creating more serene environments and calmer, almost spa-like, experiences, perhaps to contrast with our often-hectic working lives.

As people travel more and get to see the world, there has also been a general move towards greater sophistication. This trend has been around for a while, but it is now expressed in a more relaxed way. The feeling of luxury still remains very important for some clients and in some sectors, especially in hospitality. It is now more of an elegant luxury, but it still retains that magic of not being too easily attainable. It is a treat to be deserved.

If we are talking about design motifs, then there is a trend towards shapes and forms that are gradually becoming more oblong, but soft-edged, and with a curvaceous silhouette.

When it comes to the colour palette, it is still tending towards natural shades with some seasonal accents, but what is more important is the combination of different textures in similar and complementary

tones. The contrast of patterns and the gradation of colours stimulate our senses and help to heighten our experience of the ambience around us. Working with light is incredibly important as it fundamentally affects our mood, health, and how we perceive the spaces we create. We work with experienced lighting consultants to ensure that we encapsulate the benefits of the right light spectrum, light source, and intensity into our projects.

The era of big central lights is over. It is now all about creating a combination of differing atmospheres that showcase what careful lighting can bring to different zones within the spaces we are creating.

How is the green movement reflected in recent trends?

There is an accelerating trend towards the use of sustainable materials that are kinder to the environment. This includes using local origin materials, and taking into consideration the entire product lifecycle – from sourcing, manufacturing, and the possibilities for future re-use and recycling. We have to target a circular economy approach in all of our projects, but especially for interior design, where the lifecycles between fit-outs are shorter than the whole lifecycle of the buildings we are working in.

We are also looking forward to seeing what new trends will be presented to the interior design world at Salone del Mobile in April, in Milan.

What projects are you currently working on with your team in Prague?

We are working on the interiors for the W hotel Prague, on Wenceslas Square. Our role is to provide complex interior design services, including technical support for the client and fit-out contractors. This includes liaison with the hotel operator, the concept designers, the heritage authorities, and the full consultant team – all right up to completion.

It is a very challenging, but extremely interesting, project, not just because of the high level of finishing standards for the W brand, but also because of the uniqueness of the architectural style, its history, and its incredible location. The building is an important landmark in Czech architectural history, and this heritage must be preserved for the future, whilst delivering the very best guest experience in the Czech hospitality market. So, it is a privilege and a wonderful experience for the whole team. We have also learned a lot working on this project, and believe that Hotel Evropa will retake its dignified and prominent space on the square very soon. There are also several other exciting projects, some in the Czech Republic and some abroad, which we are already looking at. Some of these are really interesting, so I hope we can present them to you very soon.

WITH PAVLA DOLEŽALOVÁ, CHAPMAN TAYLOR PRAGUE

The city is supposed TO SERVE its

residents

Alexandra Udženija, Mayor of Prague 2

Alexandra Udženija replaced her ODS political party colleague Jana Černochová as Mayor of Prague 2 in December 2020. She explains, however, that she has been “active in municipal politics in Prague 2 for 17 years” and that this city district is her “home, and means a lot”. What is she especially proud of? What are her City Council’s priorities? And how will she help the ageing population of Prague 2?

Can you tell us a bit about the relationship between you and Prague 2?

Prague 2 is my home, and a place that means a lot to me. I have been active in municipal politics in Prague 2 for seventeen years. My goal since the very beginning has been to improve the daily life of local residents. In 2015, I was elected deputy mayor, and since then I have been focusing on health and social policy, which has always been very close to my heart. I founded two interest clubs - one for seniors, and one for children and parents – with various activities and benefits. I also established the Dvojka srdcem endowment fund, which, based on the patriotism of the residents, helps our neighbours in difficult life situations. The cohesion

of our residents is very important to me, and Prague 2 is an example of how big city life does not have to be anonymous. In this sense, we will also focus more on working with local communities and associations.

You have been active in Prague 2 for seventeen years. How do you evaluate your work so far?

I am very proud that years of my work, and that of my colleagues and City Hall employees, are paying off. Prague 2 is among the best-rated city districts in terms of quality of life. Although it is a very busy part of the city, where thousands of people commute daily for work or just pass through, Prague 2 still maintains a friendly face for its residents. We have created a safe and clean place where citizens can work, raise their children, and spend their free time. We have proven that you can live in the very centre of a world metropolis while still having green parks, playgrounds, quality schools, and all the infrastructure needed for a quality life – right outside your window.

What makes municipal politics attractive to you?

The advantage of a municipal politician is the proximity to our citizens. Most of our decisions have a quick effect, so we can respond to current local issues. This is very different from the work of politicians at the national level, whose decisions tend to be lengthy and cumbersome due to legislative processes. At the same time, our policy in Prague 2 supports open and modern administration in the long term. I have a good team of colleagues in the district council, and individual tasks are handled by real experts in the given area.

What do you envision being the top Prague 2 priorities for the next four years?

Prague 2 is a stable part of the city. At the end of January, as the City Council, we approved the Program Statement, which is our plan for the next four years. Due to the current uncertain economic situation and the energy price crisis, our main priorities are responsible management and the economy. 2023 will be a year of savings for everyone. Nevertheless, thanks to the long-term sound management, Prague 2

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

has enough finances to continue investing in its development.

Prague 2 is located in the city centre, and is therefore heavily burdened by traffic. At the same time, however, it falls within the urban conservation area and the Prague Heritage Area. My wish is to develop Prague 2, with respect to traditions and openness to new trends. We care for our part of the city, yet we do not forget that the city is supposed to serve its residents. Like other world capitals, Prague is struggling with the complex issue of how to solve traffic. We, in Prague 2, for example, are currently fighting against poorly set rules for micro-transport (bike-sharing companies). Scattered scooters often and dangerously lie in the middle of the sidewalk, and their careless users endanger pedestrians with their riding – these issues trouble Prague residents. Everything would be easier if traffic in Prague was managed more conceptually, and uniform rules were set.

Do you see any major challenges for you and your colleagues on the journey towards reaching your set goals?

Without a doubt, the leadership of the capital city of Prague is an important partner for city districts. In recent years, we have found ourselves in difficult situations due to different political leadership and different ideas. I believe that soon this situation will stabilize, and we will find a common way to manage our metropolis. Municipal districts need a stable partner for their planning, and the people of Prague need the certainty that Prague will only draw on its strengths.

Dealing with criticism is an inherent part of a politician’s life. What is your approach to this matter?

Politics has always been, and always will be, about finding compromises. I try as much as possible to perceive the opinions of my colleagues, as well as the opposition, and, last but not least, our citizens. I declared during my re-election that I want to continue to be the mayor for all, without distinction, and that my door is always open to everyone.

Four years from now, which tasks would you like to have fulfilled for the people to say that you were successful?

We are entering this election period at a time of high inflation, and a price crisis in the energy market in connection with the war in Ukraine. That’s why we think of everyone who might need our help. We are looking for ways to help both families and individuals. We also support entrepreneurs who do not have favourable conditions for their businesses. We are trying to hold Prague 2 together.

We are planning an economic analysis of all of our properties that belong to the municipal district. We rent our apartments through public auctions. In short, we are looking for the most efficient way to rent apartments, including their renovations.

In my particular area, I consider the most important task to be to complete the preparatory work for the construction of a new social service centre. It is an ambitious but meaningful project for the city district. The population is ageing – within 20 years the number of seniors over 75 in Prague 2 will double – and it is necessary to provide care for these people. We already have a problem in Prague, with the lack of capacity to place elderly homes in order to provide them with the care they need. At the same time, it is our duty to take care of the older generations of our parents and grandparents.

INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRA UDŽENIJA, MAYOR OF PRAGUE 2

At Prague magistrate assembly

Global Projects Managed Locally

Martin Skokan discusses his career as a leader in the ICT industry

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

We interviewed Martin Skokan in Neeco Global ICT Services’ modern office in Karlín. From its corner of the world here in Prague, the Neeco team supports multinational projects spanning more than 160 world countries. Founded in 2009, Neeco has consistently exemplified the potential for Czech companies to dominate on the world stage. The company partners with some of the largest equipment manufacturers like Versa, Dell, Lanner and Jabil and supports end customers like NTT, Air France KLM, and Telefonica to name a few. As one of the leaders in the organization, Martin is perfectly positioned to explain how a Czech company has grown to have such an impressive global influence. We spoke with Martin about his career at Neeco to learn more about this exciting and rapidly expanding industry.

Martin, when did you start your career with Neeco?

I joined the company in May 2012. So just shy of 11 years. It has been a truly insightful experience for me to witness a company grow from what I would describe as a start-up environment to a fully established organization that works with some of the biggest names in the ICT industry on a regular basis.

Can you speak a little bit about what you have learned or how you have grown since your first day with the company?

In my early days with Neeco, all of us had a very wide range of responsibilities so I learned a lot about the ICT industry quickly. In terms of personal growth, I accredit Neeco with my capacity for communicating in a professional manner. Years ago, I would have struggled to speak to a large group of people on topics as complex as communications technologies, especially in English. Over my career, I have been given many opportunities to practice this skill set and there has been a noticeable improvement for sure.

Additionally, I would add that my time at Neeco has improved my ability to lead. A few years ago, I was Neeco’s Technical Services Team Leader with 15 employees under my supervision. While my current role as Solutions Architect requires me to manage a smaller team, my experience leading the service desk was invaluable in terms of what it taught me about getting the best out of others.

Can you explain to our readers what a Solutions Architect does?

Absolutely, we are responsible for designing ICT solutions and deployment strategies for our premier clients. Neeco organizes every aspect of a project’s lifecycle, from delivery of hardware to on-site support, to project management all the way through to eventual maintenance and spare part replacements. Solutions Architects must understand the demands of each project in terms of location, required equipment, the scope of work, and other unique but critical variables. Our job is to understand these details and translate them into modern architectures that make the most of the

client’s existing or planned infrastructure. We create strategies for the services and solutions Neeco provides. My colleagues and I are responsible for presales support and driving new business for the company.

When you think about all the deals you have made in your years at Neeco, which was your favorite and why?

About five years ago I worked on a largescale project for our telecom partner Tata Communications to provide connectivity to Air France KLM offices in 22 APAC airports and over 150 local airline offices spread across the globe. I had the chance to visit 17 Asian countries with our partners from Tata. It was truly a master class in international salesmanship as I got to witness how my counterparts adjusted their strategies and tactics depending on the local culture we were working in. In Bali, our interactions with airport management were rather informal. The meetings in Tokyo were quite the opposite. I was even given a chance to demonstrate what I had learned when the Tata

representatives were denied a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and it was up to me to secure the deal.

When you think about the next 5 years in the global ICT industry, what developments or advancements are you most interested in following?

In the past few years there has been a shift from industry giants like Cisco to smaller and more nimble equipment manufacturing providers like our partners— Versa Networks. The newer, more agile companies are disrupting the market and challenging these bigger, legacy companies. From our perspective, this is great as Neeco works well with the comparatively smaller players as we can fill in gaps in their portfolios like managed services, distribution and planning. On a different note, the advancements in AI, like Chat GPT, will bring changes in almost every industry. Ours is no exception. From my experience I can say service desks will be drastically changed by developments in chatbot technology. I am fascinated to watch how this will impact our work.

In surgery and diplomacy, mistakes can be costly

“I believe that doctors are among the best ambassadors of their countries”, declares H.E. Mr. Berislav Vekić, Ambassador of Serbia and renowned surgeon. Why does he think so? What are the most pleasant and unpleasant events he had experienced during his assignment in the Czech Republic so far? And how does he view the two countries’ past and present relationships?

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

How does a renowned surgeon become an ambassador in the first place?

First, allow me to express my gratitude to you for the invitation to conduct this interview. It is a privilege to speak to a magazine with such a discerning readership. I am proud and privileged to be an ambassador to the Czech Republic. My path in diplomacy was specific, and many of my colleagues were surprised when they found out. I enjoy the opportunity to advance my surgical profession with my work in the public service. It all began at the Serbian Ministry of Health, where I worked for nine years as state secretary. During this period, I was working on reforms for the Serbian healthcare system, amendments to healthcare law, health insurance, public health, digitalization, and e-health, as well as management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, I am on a new assignment here in Prague.

You were successful in the field of medicine, including 10 books that you have published. What made you change the course of your professional career?

It might seem odd to see a successful doctorsurgeon leave the scalpel and dedicate himself to diplomacy. Surgery is a dynamic profession, which requires great medical knowledge and experience, as well as the courage to make the right surgical move at the right time. There, you cannot afford a mistake. Similarly, in diplomacy, it is important to make the right move, as mistakes can be costly. However, I must admit that surgery is exhausting. After 35 years in the operating room, when you reach the pinnacle of your professional career and finish teaching young colleagues surgical work, I believe it is time to leave and give way to younger people.

As a temperamental person with an inquisitive spirit, I was looking for a new challenge. I believe that doctors are among the best ambassadors for their countries – with international contacts and connections, they are the best promoters of their countries. The experience of working in the Government of the Republic of Serbia as State Secretary in the Ministry of Health for nine years helped me to get involved in politics, prove myself, and gain new experience. I made my rich experience available to the state, and I am proud that my longterm engagement in politics has been recognized. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, that today I am the ambassador to the Czech Republic.

You have been in the Czech Republic for about two years. How do you feel here?

I have been in the Czech Republic for a year and a half. I visited Prague previously for business, but also several times as a tourist. Every time, I would discover something new that is even more beautiful and attractive, and it is no coincidence that Prague is called the „Golden City“ on the Vltava. The city looks like a museum, with many monumental sights such as Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square, and with charming Prague restaurants and pubs offering delicious traditional food, beer, and a Bohemian atmosphere. I managed to briefly visit other cities such as Brno or Pilsen, and I am amazed by the appearance and cultural heritage that these cities have. What positively surprised me was the fairly even regional development. I was also positively surprised by the level of industrial development in the Czech Republic, as well as the traffic system in Prague.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador, in your opinion?

Being an ambassador has its positive and negative effects on one’s lifestyle. When you come to live and work in a foreign country, you meet new people, learn about a new culture and customs, and enjoy new tasks and challenges. The job of a diplomat is to adapt quickly, identify mutual interests for cooperation, start building new bridges of friendship, open many doors, and find a way to improve the cooperation between the two countries. During my stay in the Czech Republic, I have encountered a friendly and open relationship so far. There is great interest in the Republic of Serbia, and readiness to improve bilateral relations in many fields such as politics, economy, culture, science, and sports.

Can you share the most pleasant and unpleasant moments of your stay here so far?

If I had to single out the most beautiful event in the past year and a half while I have been in Prague, it would certainly be my meeting with the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman. It was a wonderful feeling to talk with a true friend of Serbia, a political authority, and a great statesman. Every word he utters carries great weight. There are few such presidential authorities in the world as Miloš Zeman. In the last week of January, I will have the honour and pleasure of meeting him again, because he will be on an official visit to the Republic of Serbia. Presidential

elections have just finished in the Czech Republic, and I wish the future president much success in his work, with the desire to continue the successful and friendly cooperation between our two countries. On the other hand, the most unpleasant event occurred last year, when I found out that vandals damaged the World War I Serbian army mausoleum and cemetery. Allow me to remind you that Jindřichovice was the largest concentration camp ever established by the Austro-Hungarian authorities during World War I. It was in the western region of the Czech Republic, along the border with Germany, near Karlovy Vary. It is estimated that around 10,000 Serbs (civilians and soldiers) were killed in Jindřichovice over four years. Honestly, it was strange to me that such things were happening in a consolidated democracy like the Czech Republic.

What is the current status of Czech-Serbian relations?

Throughout history, Serbia and the Czech Republic have always had excellent relations. In the 14th century, historical records confirm that two great rulers, Serbian Emperor Dušan the Strong and Czech King Charles IV, had excellent relations. The continuity of friendly relations between the two nations is confirmed by the friendship between King Aleksandar Karađorđević and Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The first Czechoslovak president, T. G. Masaryk, was persecuted by the AustroHungarian army during World War I, therefore he travelled with Serbian passports that are still kept in the Czech Academy of Sciences. Today, the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic have no open questions. Bilateral cooperation has been established, which is confirmed by frequent visits at the highest political level. Trade in 2021 was at a record high and increased by 21%. All data indicates that 2022 will be even better, despite the severe economic and energy crisis, as well as the war events in Ukraine. Czech investments in the Republic of Serbia grow every year.

What recommendations can you give to Czech tourists travelling to Serbia?

Serbia is a beautiful country, with many authentic and beautiful landscapes. When you spend your vacation in Serbia, we recommend that you see

the Kopaonik National Park (with the Jelovarnik waterfall), the Uvac nature reserve, Vlasin Lake, Semeteško Lake (with floating islands that represent a real attraction), Krupajsko Vrelo, Đavolja Varoš, Rajačke Pimnice, the Ancient Palace of Felix Romuliana, Serbian monasteries such as Studenica, Sopoćani, Žiča, and so on.

In recent years, Serbia has been developing rural tourism, which is very popular and enjoyed by an increasing number of tourists. Belgrade has become a famous European destination, attractive to all tourists around the world. Besides the old city, the Kalemegdan fortress, a new modern part of the city („Belgrade Waterfront“) has emerged. Tourists adore Belgrade, not only because of its rich historical program and large number of cultural events, but also for its rich nightlife. This includes restaurants by the Sava and Danube rivers, with traditional Serbian cuisine and wines that are becoming increasingly popular in the market. I try to promote Serbia as an attractive tourist destination at every opportunity. In addition, the embassy has contacts with the tourist organization of Serbia, hence we communicate with our colleagues from the Czech Republic regarding new trends and opportunities for cooperation in the field of tourism.

What do you do in your free time?

Frankly, I don’t have much free time. If I had to give a short answer, it would be that I take walks in nature, read, and write. I use my free time to spend more time with my family, and enjoy nature in famous Prague parks. I like to read quality literature, good books and novels, and also follow the latest professional medical journals. Finally, I also like to write, and classify my scientific achievements in the field of surgery. I am currently working on a surgical textbook for medical students.

Does your country want to join the EU and NATO?

Serbia has a clear European path, and wants to share European values. The Republic of Serbia is very keen to achieve this goal, and is fully aware of the importance of the tasks and challenges that lie ahead. Negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Serbia began in November

INTERVIEW WITH H.E. MR. BERISLAV VEKIĆ, A MBASSADOR OF SERBIA

2005, and this agreement, as well as the follow-up to the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Matters (2005) treaty, were both signed in 2008. After changing the methodology, we opened only the 4th cluster in December 2021, although we had also prepared the 3rd cluster. I would rather not comment on all the reasons for this long and difficult European journey of Serbia.

When we talk about NATO, the situation is different. Serbia wants to remain a neutral country. I think it is not yet the right time to discuss membership in NATO, even though all the surrounding countries of the Western Balkans have become members. The memories and suffering of the Serbian people since the NATO bombing in 1999 are still fresh. Life in shelters, while planes are flying above you and rockets are falling, life under sanctions – it is something that cannot be easily forgotten.

In February, Serbia celebrates its National Day. What do you wish for your country?

The Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, on February 15th, is also the Day of the Constitution of Serbia, as well as the day of commemoration of the beginning of the Serbian Revolution - the first Serbian uprising. What I wish for my people, my Serbia, I also wish for the Czech people – which is peace and prosperity. We are living in difficult, uncertain times with the war in Ukraine. We are facing devastation and tragedy, where the innocent civilian population of two nations are suffering. I hope that reason will prevail, and there will be peace and prosperity again. War has never brought anyone anything good. We will pray for peace.

From left: Mr. AleksandarVučić, President of Serbia; Mr. Miloš Zeman, President of Czechia; and H.E. Mr. Berislav Vekić, Amba ssador of Serbia

Hilton Christmas Concert

Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter; Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague

Terezka, from the children’s house of the Most city

Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor

After a three-year break, Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town organized the 24th annual traditional Christmas Charity Concert featuring the Brno Philharmonic and accordion soloist Ladislav Horák, conducted by Debashish Chaudhuri. The Christmas spirit was brought by the International Ladies Chamber Choir Viva Voce with a special guest, 12 year old Terezka, a talented singer from the children’s house from the city of Most. The concert was organized under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of India in Prague and attended by many ambassadors including H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, the Ambassador of the Indian Republic. The evening was presented by Michael Specking, General Manager of Hilton Prague together with Czech actor Markéta Hrubešová. The event was held in support of the Tereza Maxová Foundation, whose Director Terezie Sverdlinová took over a cheque amounting to CZK 50,000 from Michael, Tanya Podgoretska, General Manager of Hilton Prague Old Town, and David Lesch, Executive Director of AV Media, main partner of the concert.

Text: Markéta Šebková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic

International Ladies’ Chamber Choir Viva Voce

From left: Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter; Terezka, from the children’s house of the Most city; and Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague

From left: Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor; Ladislav Horák, Soloist

From left: Tanya Podgoretska, General Manager, Hilton Prague Old Town; Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague; and Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter

From left: Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague; Terezie Sverdlinová, Director, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Tanya Podgoretska, General Manager, Hilton Prague Old Town; David Lesch, Executive Director, AV Media; Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter

From left: International Ladies’ Chamber Choir Viva Voce singing “Silent Night” with Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter; Terezka, f rom the children’s house of the Most city; and Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague

From left: Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague; Terezie Sverdlinová, Director, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Tanya Podgoretska, General Manager, Hilton Prague Old Town; and David Lesch, Executive Director, AV Media

From left: H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic; Seema Kotalwar; and Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor

Rout in the main Lobby

From left: Michal Pávek, Volunteer, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Petra Zapletalová, Marketing & Operations Coordinator, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Terezie Sverdlinova, Director, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Markéta Šebková, Marketing & PR Manager Hilton Prague & Hilton Prague Old Town; and Terezka, from the children’s house of the Most city

From left: Terezka, from the children’s house of the Most city; Terezie Sverdlinová, Director, Tereza Maxová Foundation; Claudia Specking; Debashish Chaudhuri, Conductor; Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter; H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic; Seema Kotalwar; and Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague

Michael Specking, General Manager, Hilton Prague; Markéta Hrubešová, Presenter

Salud! World-class wines from Argentina

Text: Rodrigo Schmidt, Productos Latinos and Martina Hošková; Photo: Archive

The founder of Viña Cobos, American winemaker Paul Hobbs

Mendoza and Malbec are a marriage made in heaven

The world already knows and appreciates Argentine wines. Malbec, a purple grape variety used to make red wine, is surging so much in the country that it has become a national variety of sort. The grape was rediscovered in the late 20th century, as the Argentine wine industry shifted its focus from jug wines to premium wine production for export, with the Mendoza region continually representing the heart of the winemaking industry in Argentina.

A popular but unconfirmed theory claims that Malbec is named after a Hungarian peasant, who first spread the grape variety throughout France. However, now it is Argentina, and the Mendoza region in particular, that is internationally recognised for producing varied and unique expressions of Malbec. Here, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, between 800m and 1500m elevation, is where Argentina’s most highly rated Malbec wines originate from. While in France Malbec suffered due to unfavourable climate conditions such as winter frost or periods of rainy weather, the high-altitude zones of the Mendoza region offer everything that this grape needs to thrive wonderfully: an increased intensity of sunlight, no temperature extremes, well-drained sand-over-clay soils, and a developed irrigation system for semi-arid desert conditions.

Top-quality farming is a critical factor in making prime wines

When you look at a wine bottle label, what information will you typically get? It may be an umbrella brand, estate, variety and vintage, and appellation. The umbrella brand or the winery’s name communicates the producer’s unfailing quality guarantee. Every enterprise has a story to tell, and I would like to share the story of Viña Cobos winery, established in 1998 and recognised today for its mastery in producing worldclass wines in Mendoza, Argentina.

The founder of Viña Cobos, American winemaker Paul Hobbs, is celebrated for his status as the pioneer who played the leading role in launching Malbec’s rise to fame, and for his contribution to helping elevate Argentina to the world-class wine region stage. Today, Paul is the owner / winemaker of 7 wineries across 4 continents, namely in California, New York state, Mendoza, Cahors, Armenia, and Galicia. In 2013, Forbes Magazine called him the Steve Jobs of the wine industry.

In Viña Cobos, they continuously explore the terroir in Mendoza, and seek to apply the best practices according to the specific nature of each vineyard. Finding the right location for planting a vineyard is only the first step of a very long process. Extremely precise farming techniques are critical to maximize the potential of each property, and to finally reflect it in very special

Viña Cobos winery

wines. The Viña Cobos team believe in non-invasive production, constant interaction with the vines, minimal intervention in the cellar, and strong attention to every detail. They are leaders in the concept of micro terroir, thus ensuring the highest possible authenticity of their outstanding wines. Furthermore, they acknowledge the key importance of sustainable management, achieving synergy between man and nature, and understanding each vineyard wholly.

Meet the first wine awarded 100 points in Latin America

As you already know, Viña Cobos makes wines that are authentic expressions of the different terroirs of Mendoza, Argentina. The wine portfolio of Viña Cobos is led by Cobos Malbec, an Argentine icon - the flagship to the world. Cobos Malbec Marchiori Estate 2011 was the first Latin American wine to obtain 100 points by famed wine critic James Suckling, followed later by 100 points for Cobos Malbec 2017. The portfolio is completed with Viña Cobos Vineyard Designate, Vinculum, Bramare, Cocodrilo, and Felino.

At the end of March the Cobos wines launch will take place, with the support of the Embassy of Argentina in the Czech Republic and Gran Fierro restaurant in Prague. The event includes the tasting of 6 different wines and food from Gran Fierro restaurant. See more at www.granfierro.cz.

Rodrigo Schmidt is a co-founder and co-owner of Productos Latinos s.r.o., a company focusing on importing and selling wines from many countries in the Czech Republic. Productos Latinos sells wines to restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, caterings, and through their e-shop to individual customers. See more at www.merkenwine.cz.

Copenhagen is UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture in 2023-2026

Text: M. Zisso

Long known as a pioneer in citizen-centric urban design and sustainability, Copenhagen will be the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Chosen in recognition of its strong legacy within architecture and innovative urban development, along with its high ambitions on climate, sustainability solutions and liveability, Copenhagen is only the second city in the world to hold this triennially awarded title, following Rio de Janeiro in 2020. The city will use the opportunity to showcase its architecture, sustainable developments and city planning solutions, engaging the public with events and experiences in a year-long programme managed by the City of Copenhagen.

National Aquarium Denmark – photo: Astrid Maria Rasmussen

Throughout 2023, the city will become a global forum for discussion about architecture and urban planning, with a focus on developing urban solutions that benefit future generations as it hosts the UIA (International Association of Architects) Congress on 2-6 July 2023. This event brings together some 10,000 - 15,000 key urban planners and architects in discussions around future-focused architecture, sustainable urban solutions, and urban design.

Widely known for its architectural and sustainability prowess, Copenhagen is home to a vast number of world-leading architectural practices including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Henning Larsen Architects, Cobe, Gehl Architects, C.F. Møller, 3XN, Lendager Group, Dissing & Weitling, Lundgaard & Tranberg, Dorthe Mandrup, and many more.

Danish architecture is known for its focus on the human scale and its democratic approach, as well as its unique modern buildings that include a power plant with a ski slope on its roof called CopenHill, a bikefirst urban design consisting of the bicycle snake bridge, and not to mention floating harbour baths, rooftop restaurants and recreation areas, and innovative residential buildings.

Source: Wonderful Copenhagen, the offi cial tourism organization of the Capital Region of Denmark https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com

Pictures: https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/ smEkRpAGdOGpQNR_i

Special thanks to the Royal Danish Embassy in Prague

Urban Rigger, a floating student village - photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Havnebadet Fisketorvet – photo: Thomas Høyrup Christensen

Museet for Søfart – photo: Signe T. Lundgren

National Aquarium Denmark – photo: Astrid Maria Rasmussen

Credit: Visit Copenhagen

Portland Towers - photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Rooftop-fitness-work-out-area – photo: Daniel Rasmussen

Amager Bakke / Copenhill –

photo: Astrid Maria Rasmussen

Amager Bakke / Copenhill –

photo: Astrid Maria Rasmussen

The UN City complex - photo: Daniel Rasmussen

National Aquarium Denmark – photo: Astrid Maria Rasmussen

Tingbjerg Library – photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj

We

spend 90% of our lifetime in buildings

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Is the construction industry a big environmental polluter? Do you know what the average age of a Czech residential building is? And have you ever heard of the New Green Savings grant program? Whether yes or no, you will sure find out while reading our interview with Simona Kalvoda, the head of the Czech Green Building Council, whose members believe in promoting the principles of sustainable building in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Green Building Council was founded in 2009, and you became its director four years later. Can you tell us more about your goals and activities?

As a member of the World Green Building Council, our

Council was founded by companies who felt the need for a common approach to the issues of sustainability in the building sector, promoting green standards, creating a better legal environment, and sharing knowledge.

You can find all kinds of companies among our members, from one-man-bands through SMEs to big corporations. We are open to any participants interested in sustainability and its promotion. Recently, we have welcomed the Embassy of Canada – the first of its kind, which have had their building in Prague certified for sustainable standards.

At the end of 2013, the Czech Council was looking for a new director, and within the course of events I got the job. I think my advantage was my previous work experience with the dynamics, advantages, and challenges of running a not-for-profit association financed primarily by memberships. And I have always been interested in environmental issues.

I believe our readers have an idea of what to think of when you refer to a “green building” or

Simona Kalvoda and Stephen King, former US Ambassador

a “passive house”. However, can you offer further insight from the Council director’s point of view?

A passive house is designed, constructed, and operated in a way that uses minimum energy for heating, hot water preparation, and other systems. It is ensured by an optimized design at the very beginning of the project, and further supported by solutions such as proper insulation, quality windows, well-designed shading, use of renewable energy resources, etc. It is not only passive houses, but also sustainable buildings in general, that represent the future. Unfortunately, the construction industry, although undergoing fundamental changes, is still one of the biggest polluters. It is responsible for up to 38% of global CO2 emissions. New buildings are already built with certain energy efficiency standards that meet the ambitious requirements of the Paris Agreement. However, the biggest potential for improvement and mitigation of the climate change impact can be found in already existing buildings. In the Czech Republic, the average age of residential buildings is 50 years old. It is assumed that 80% of the current existing buildings will still be here in 30 years. That is why the deep renovation of existing buildings is equally important as the designing of new ones.

The reality is that money always comes first, and therefore it is important to ask: is it more expensive to build a sustainable building?

Actually, if you take the “green” approach from the beginning (i.e. starting from the planning and design stage), the extra costs are negligible. What you invest in technology and solutions you will get back through long-term savings during the operation of the building. Furthermore, modern buildings are designed

to provide energy efficiency, but, more importantly, they should ensure a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. This means that there should be a large enough supply of fresh air, good quality acoustics, wellbalanced natural and artificial light, a sufficient level of humidity, and a comfortable temperature. We spend up to 90% (!!) of our lifetime in buildings, so all these aspects have a strong impact on our wellbeing.

Are the European Union and Czech government supporting this construction approach – not only rhetorically but also financially?

There is a number of both EU and local grant programs that support the use of sustainable solutions. They not only support energy efficiency and savings, but also quality indoor environment, green roofs or rainwater, and grey water management in both new and renovated buildings. The best-known local grant is called ‘New Green Savings’, which supports, among others, the construction of family and multi-family houses that meet the “passive” standards.

The Green Building movement strives to improve people’s quality of life. Can you give us your advice for creating a better quality of life?

Prioritize and enjoy every moment. We have the privilege of living a luxurious quality of life. In my case, I best relax on the golf course or the ski slopes, depending on the season. Or I simply laze around with my family and friends in our country house with a nice glass of wine. However, we should certainly think about the quality of life of our children and further generations too, and behave and act in a way that is preserving it for them.

INTERVIEW WITH SIMONA KALVODA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CZECH GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL Conference Green Building

Conquering Paradise

How Czech architect David Kvasnička is building five-star vacation resorts in Bali that double as incredible investment opportunities

After 23 years of designing residential and commercial buildings in the Czech Republic, David Kvasnička decided to move to Indonesia. David discovered Bali twelve years ago. Witnessing the rapid pace of advancement here, he decided together with his business partners, to develop in Bali. Their goal was to create and operate one of the most unique resorts in a world class holiday destination – Bali, also known as The Island of the Gods. We had an opportunity to speak with David about the chain of resorts built under the Neano brand. We discussed his successful Indonesian journey including the award winning Neano Escape, which opened in 2022 as well as his future endeavors with Neano Cliff and more.

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On the edge of a bluff overlooking the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean on one side, and the lush vegetation of Bali on the other David is leading his team to construct the biggest Neano Resort project so far. Neano Cliff is built on six acres of a private seaside sanctuary. The Cliff features 70 luxury villas, a restaurant that accommodates 500 people, a top-notch nightclub to host high-profile parties presented by worldclass DJs, wellness and fitness facilities, swimming pools, a private beach accessible by an elevator, a heliport, and much more. Working an average of 12 hours a day, he organizes hundreds of workers and multiple heavy machinery vehicles, to elevate what has once protected wilderness into a  tranquil vacation resort. One that still serves as a playground for the long-tailed Macaques monkeys who call the cliff their home.

David, thank you for finding time for a short interview. The first question is obvious- what drew your focus to Bali, specifically its east coast? Bali has tremendous business potential due to its great appeal for holiday travelers. It’s the perfect combination of pure exotics and a superb infrastructure for visitors. Travelers can expect comfortable accommodation in some of the world’s best hotels and villas, great cuisine, a high level of safety, a year-round tourist season, and a stable Indonesian economy. The average accommodation rates in Bali are over 70%, which is very high compared to the majority of other vacation destinations, including Europe, making it a fantastic investment opportunity as well.

When and how did you get involved in Neano projects?

Normally, it would be extremely hard to break into

the development field in Bali as a newcomer. The competition is high, the amount of money involved is often incredibly large, and strong players control all the optimal spots. However, the Covid crisis changed the rules of the game and opened the window of opportunity for a small period of time. When the whole tourism industry was paralyzed during the pandemic, we decided to act fast and negotiate the acquisition of a perfect site for development. Also, a majority of construction projects were put on hold at that time. Therefore, we were able to put together a capable team in a comparatively short amount of time. Normally, contractors are booked out years in advance with other projects. This too changed in our favor. So together with my business partners, we took the opportunity, acquired the land, and started the development literally overnight. That is how the Neano project was born.

Can you describe the Neano resort and its philosophy?

I discovered the land where we developed the Neano resort five years ago. At the time I had no way of knowing if we would ever be able to develop this land but still, I felt connected with this area and consider it the real Bali. After we started building the five-star Neano resort, which opened in 2022, we discovered the cliff. We knew we had to build here and create an opportunity for others to experience this utter paradise. Neano Cliff is set to open in 2023 and we could not be more excited.

Can you name a few reasons that make the Neano Cliff development so unique?

The location itself and its spatial relationship with

INTERVIEW WITH DAVID KVASNIČKA, ARCHITECT

the water—nestled on a cliffside with panoramic views accessible by every guest. As I mentioned, this part of Bali, surrounded by untouched nature, is the truest representation of Bali from my perspective. Combining this natural beauty with the standard of accommodation our high-end, European clientele is accustomed to, sets Neano apart from other resorts.

From an architectural perspective, are there any specific features about the villas you would like to highlight?

Since my early childhood, I’ve been in love with creating beautiful and functional structures. We want to create a resort that is not only beautiful at first sight, but has a solid, high-quality buildout, able to withstand guests’ demands for decades. I am very busy making slight adjustments to the project, having discussions with construction companies,

governmental bodies and legal entities to ensure our vision is fulfilled. From a purely architectural perspective, one big advantage of the cliff is that the villas can be placed in a cascading arrangement providing every villa with a breathtaking ocean view.

We have seen investment villas developed as a part of the resort, are there any available? What is on the horizon for Neano resorts?

All the villas are sold out but we are preparing an additional few to be built on the black sand beach located under the cliff as part of Neano Cliff Bali. I recommend anyone interested to get in touch with us.

Where can we find more information?

You can find information on Instagram @neano_cliff and website www.neanoresort.com.

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