Issue 02/2022

SUMMER 2022

TIMES are even BUSIER than we expected Lukáš Dolanský, EU Correspondent at Česká televize

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P UBL IS HER S’ N OT E

Benke Aikell Founder Eva Anderová & Meshulam Zisso Owners & Executive Editors Petra Kubernátová Webmaster Martina Hošková

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We have dedicated this issue to the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council, which has been thoroughly prepared by the Presidency Trio countries.

You will find more about this topic in the interviews with minister Bek and other various government and EU diplomatic representatives.

We believe in bringing to your attention the amazing people who have accomplished inspirational professional achievements which reach out to our everyday lives.

All of them represent the best in their areas of expertise, be it business, the academic sphere, art, media, the culinary world, the hospitality industry, cybersecurity, and many other different areas.

Starting from this current edition, we now have a new tradition: very interesting interviews with ambassadors, representing both EU as well as non European countries, in order to honor and pay tribute to the national days of their homeland and contribute to strengthening our bilateral ties.

In the past 20+ years we have been steadily growing, and striving to be among the best English-language print magazines in the Czech Republic.

We believe we have succeeded in this effort, becoming the biggest printed English magazine in the Czech Republic and also reaching out to you via our weekly newsletters, our archive of magazines ranging back from 2001 (https://issuu. com/czechleaders), and our website – www.czechleaders.com.

You can already start looking forward to the next Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine edition, which will come out in September.

Thank you for being with us, and have a wonderful summer!

Sincerely Yours, Eva & Meshulam

by Czech & Slovak Leaders either in printed form or in various digital media. All correspondence to Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine may be published.

Owners and Executive Editors eva.anderova@czechleaders.com meshzisso@czechleaders.com

CONTENTS

interviews 10 Interview with H.E. Ms. Cliona Manahan, Ambassador of Ireland Beeing an ambassador means lifelong learning 16 Interview with H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina We always continue to try 22 Interview with Alicja Knast, General Director of the National Gallery Prague The sky is the limit 28 Interview with H.E. Mr. Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal Europe is our common destiny 32 Interview with Ki Young Yun, President of Samsung Electronics Czech and Slovak Zoomers search for meaningful innovation 4

36 Interview with H.E. Mrs. Mariam Rakviashvili, Ambassador of Georgia Czechia is a favourable destination for every diplomat 46 Interview with H.E. Mr. Ombra T. Jainal, Ambassador of the Philippines Lawyer by training, ambassador by fate

50 Interview with Zdeněk Kovařík, Head of Hospitality, Julius Meinl Living The accommodation market is not saturated 56 Interview with H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia Diplomats are experts in many fields 69 Interview with David Pátek, Founder and CEO, Neeco Welcome to the crossroad of large market transformations 79 Interview with H.E. Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti, Ambassador of Paraguay I seek the points of common interest

CONTENTS

EU presidency 7

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26

40

63

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Interview with Mikuláš Bek, Minister of European Affairs “Europe as a Task”: the second Czech Presidency of the European Council starts Interview with Eva Zažímalová, President of the Czech Academy of Sciences It is necessary to look into the future Interview with Jiří Georgiev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance We are facing tremendous external challenges Interview with Aleš Chmelař, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs The situation requires extensive coordination Interview with Václav Velčovský, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports We are the ministry of values and the future Interview with Lukáš Dolanský, EU Correspondent at Česká televize Times are even busier than we expected Interview with H.E. Mrs. Edita Hrdá, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU We are the largest Czech embassy in the world

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86 Interview with Radka Wildová, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports The Czech EU Presidency is clearly the top-class priority 88 Interview with Radek Špicar, Vice President of the Czech Confederation of Industry With our current political leadership, the Czech Republic is in a good position

CONTENTS

events

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19 42 59 76 94

National Day of Argentina The House delegation supported the award-winning Czech pavilion at EXPO 2020 National Day of Croatia Známí Neznámí – Known Unknown British Chamber of Commerce patrons’ breakfast at the new design-led Julius Prague

contributors 64 Veronika Vávrová All you need is love and butter 90 Karol Suchánek It is not a question of “if” but “when“ they attack you: 5 myths about cybersecurity that cost companies millions 92 Gianfranco Coizza Beware of cheap imitations 96 Meshulam Zisso The right clothes guarantee your success

INTER VIE W W ITH MIKUL Á Š BEK , MINIS TER O F EUR O P EA N AFFAIR S

“Europe as a Task”

THE SECOND CZECH PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL STARTS

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

Mikuláš Bek assumed the newly established office of the Czech Minister of European Affairs in December of last year. Professionally, this marks the culmination of his gradual and smooth transition from academia to politics. He already gained his first practical experience with EU affairs back in 2004 in the position of vice-rector of Masaryk University in Brno, where, among other things, he was responsible for international relations and European Structural Fund projects. From 2011 to 2019 he served two terms as the rector of Masaryk University. Does he think that the EU investments in education are sufficient? What will be his role during our presidency? And how many EU presidency-related events will the Czech Republic host?

You are a professor of musicology, served two terms as a rector of Masaryk University in Brno, and are now a minister. How do you feel about your transition from academia to politics?

In my life, the “transformation” from a musicologist to a politician took place very slowly, and, I would say, gradually.

That made the process all the more natural for me and I don‘t feel that it was rushed in any way. I like both of my professions very much - in fact, as a rector of Masaryk University, I was already a politician too since the negotiations on campus are not much different from the political ones.

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The European Union is not a new field of expertise to you. Among other things, you served as the chairman of the Senate Committee on EU Affairs and represent the Czech Republic in the Council of the European University Association. Based on your experience, do you think the EU is investing enough in the education of the future generation?

There is always room for improvement. My fundamental conviction is that the basis for successful and capable future generations is quality education. That is why I appreciate the efforts of the current management of the Ministry of Education to change the educational plans. After all, people who are able to think critically are less likely to succumb to disinformation, as we can currently see. Critical thinking and an abundance of motivated and properly evaluated teachers are a vast asset to any nation.

Now, with our presidency of the EU Council, what role do you see yourself playing?

Technically speaking, Charles Michel remains the chief of the European Council as the presidency of this highest forum does not rotate. However, the prime minister of the presiding country always gets prominent attention and is responsible for the domestic political steering of the work of all ministers, as presidents of the various councils of the EU formations. In this respect, he plays a crucial role. Chairing the General Affairs Council is my area of responsibility. This council formation deals not only with the preparation of the European Council (e.g. meetings of the PMs) but also with more horizon-

tal issues such as the rule of law or the Conference on the Future of Europe. My role will also be representing the council vis-à-vis other EU institutions, such as the European Parliament.

What is the main agenda our presidency will focus on?

In fact, the agenda for our presidency has been given to us by the current circumstances. This is due to the fact that Russia invaded a free sovereign country, and thus influenced current events literally all over the world. This is what will drag on in the EU‘s agendas over the coming months and perhaps even years, not only during our presidency.

This certainly gives at least two basic themes - security and the energy self-sufficiency of the EU. I have personally always considered the issue of media freedom to be important.

It is important to realize that our role does not stop after the end of our presidency. It is necessary to keep in contact with the countries that make up the Presidency Trio in order to be able to complete the tasks that were launched jointly during the previous presidency. The Presidency Trio is a term referring to the three countries that successively hold the presidency of the Council of the EU. In our case, the trio consists of France, the Czech Republic and Sweden. As I said, on the last day of the presidency, the role does not end. That is why, since the very beginning, I have been in very close contact with my French and Swedish colleagues.

There are quite a few European countries wishing to join the EU: Georgia, Albania, Moldova, and, of course, Ukraine. What is your opinion regarding the EU enlargement?

We learnt through our own experience that joining the EU is not an easy matter. Moreover, it could take years until everything can be reconciled, including legislation.

Personally, however, I believe that, also in the interests of Europe´s security, the expansion of the twenty-seven is very important. Provided, of course, that all conditions are met.

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The war in Ukraine has been affecting everything since the very beginning, and very significantly too. In the run-up to our presidency, we had to prioritize topics that were on the table, but there was no greater pressure to tighten them up in the intra-EU debate. Whether I am talking about energy self-sufficiency, security, or a common European army.

How many EU presidency-related events will the Czech Republic host?

Currently, there are over 320 events in the pipeline, most of them taking place in Prague. These are all official events organised by various line ministries that are customarily organised by the presidency and include informal ministerial councils, conferences, seminars, but also informal working parties or committees. To this number we can also add dozens of cultural events in Prague and other regions, as well as events organised by regions or third parties that can be associated with the presidency as some of them benefit from the auspices of the presidency. We have prepared a rich communication campaign that includes dozens of

online and offline events across the whole country throughout the entire duration of our presidency.

What, in your opinion, will be the greatest achievement of this presidency?

My personal goal is to help Ukraine on its way into the EU as much as possible. I recently met with the Ukrainian ambassador to the Czech Republic and offered him regular consultations on the issues of accession talks and the admission process. I believe that it will be important for Ukraine and its people to have perspective and certainty when they gradually return to their war-torn homeland.

It will also be important to set up mechanisms to help rebuild the country.

I have always felt like a European and I respect the values of a united Europe. On the other hand, I realize that freedom and prosperity are not free. That is why I adopted a quote from our post-November president and a great European Václav Havel, who described it fairly accurately: “Europe as a task”.

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MS. CLIONA MANAHAN, AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND

Beeing an ambassador means LIFELONG LEARNING Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Irish are a small nation but have an extensive diaspora of over 70 million. There is no doubt this has contributed to the fact that Ireland clearly recognizes the need for closer and effective collaboration throughout the world as the only way of facing major geopolitical challenges, climate change, and post-pandemic recovery. On 1 May 2004, it was during the Irish presidency of the European Council when the Czech Republic joined the European Union and, as Cliona Manahan says: “Both countries work daily on promoting convergence between Irish and Czech ‘like-minded’ positions on significant core issues.” What does she say about her Czech experience? And what is her advice to the next generation ambassadors?

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Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the things that brought you to a diplomatic career?

First, let me thank you for this welcome opportunity to connect with your readers and share some insights into the life of an Irish diplomat.

I grew up in Dublin during the time when Ireland got to the headlines, and not for positive reasons. The unrest in northern Ireland (known as the Troubles) had an impact on our national and global standing. While at school, I was deeply affected by the daily reports and images of civil and political unrest and violence. I was interested in what actions, national and international, might help to resolve the issues due to the complicated history of our islands. These concerns led me to study Law at Trinity College Dublin, and I was very fortunate to be taught by Prof. Mary Robinson, Dr. Kadar Asmal and many others who were involved in Ireland’s political and social development.

I joined the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and more than a half of my career ever since has involved working directly in the peace process, with the US, UK, EU and many others. Ireland’s experience informs our approach to our European and international relations. In recent years, Brexit, the pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have shown the value of 27 members of the EU collaborating.

My previous work in the Nordics, and more recently here in the Czech Republic, with the opening of a new embassy in Ukraine mid-2021 underlines our commitment to our European partners.

What, in your opinion, is the best aspect of working as an ambassador?

Learning from people of other countries and cultures.

As I have already mentioned, from an early age I was curious and often concerned about national and global issues, about what is needed to protect human rights and equality, and freedom of expression and shared values.

So, it is important to be outward-looking but this can be

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Chcete prezidenta, který vám rozumí?

Podepište, prosím, petici a podpořte Josefa Středulu jako občanského kandidáta na funkci prezidenta České republiky!

Petiční arch lze stáhnout na

www.stredulanasprezident.cz Vyplněný petiční arch pošlete prosím na: Josef Středula, PO BOX č. 1090, 111 21 Praha 1

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Josef Středula

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MS. CLIONA MANAHAN, AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND

a challenge for those who want a predictable and stable life. It is a big ask for families of diplomats and I am always impressed by the commitment of everyone who stands beside and works with the head of mission.

What would you pick as the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

As ambassadors, we are committed to raising the profile of our respective countries and people. We have to balance the personal and professional realities and social expectations. Covid-19 revealed all around the world that we need more commitment of resources to support women, and men, especially those with the responsibility for the vulnerable including children and elders in our societies.

We mustn’t lose sight of this during the post-pandemic recovery, and when we respond to new challenges. If we deliver more balanced, social systems which are better aligned, we will be far better prepared and able to progress the necessary changes and realise the benefits of the recovery at the local level.

On a personal level, all of us have been affected by the pandemic, and the separation from our families, friends, and networks. We are very grateful to the Czech government and agencies for looking after us. As a woman ambassador, regular exchanges with other women heads of missions in Prague, and with EU and other colleagues have been vital especially when travel and in-person meetings were on hold.

You have been working in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you share some of the highlights?

It was a challenge to transfer directly from being an ambassador to Denmark and Iceland, to the Czech Republic and being accredited to Ukraine up to last year. I had just a few short months as an ambassador here prior to the impact of Covid-19. Prague is an impressive, creative city at the heart of Europe, and it has many historic, innovative, and cultural strengths which complement Ireland.

Some highlights have included bringing our deputy prime minister (Tánaiste), Irish ministers and agencies together, some for the first time, with Czech counterparts. We have been delighted at the response to Irish creative talent which is showcased at literature, film, and theatre festivals, and exhibitions. In the lead up to the Czech EC Presidency 2022, both our countries are keen to step up our effective political, economic and business links. We work daily to strengthen connections and build alliances with partners within and outside the EU. We promote convergence between Irish and Czech ‘Like Minded’ positions on significant core issues which include the EU Recovery, Single Market, Free Trade, and Digitisation.

At the local level, Ireland is proud of the work and outreach of the Irish Studies Centre at Charles University which for many years has reached across the Czech Republic and Europe. Personal highlights have included the launch of the first Narrative 4 Educational Programme led by DOX

Prague. N4 was founded by Irish writer Colum McCann in New York and reaches from the US to the Middle East, Africa to Europe. Here, N4 now involves hundreds of Czech teachers and students and includes Irish literature programmes from the ISC. My visits beyond Prague to Brno, Liberec and more reveal just how important it is to connect with Czech people.

Is there a positive connection between Ireland and the Czech Republic, currently as well as historically?

Former Czechoslovakia was a good friend of Ireland at the League of Nations when we worked towards independence post WW1. Czech and Irish histories reveal the considerable impact of occupation on our peoples. In the 20th century, Ireland actively sought membership in the UN, OECD and the EC in 1973. We opened a resident mission in Prague in 1995, and Ireland welcomed the Czech Republic during the enlargement of the European Union which took place during the Irish EC Presidency on 1 May 2004.

I remember how moving it was to witness the handover to the PM by a Czech child at the ceremony in Dublin. During the 20th and early 21st Century, Czech leaders including Vaclav Havel, writers and thinkers were in contact with Irish counterparts and influenced each other. During this century, especially with the common challenges we face, it is time to strengthen collaboration and align ourselves with the Czech Republic and like-minded partners on EU and geopolitical issues.

What would your message be to the next generations of ambassadors?

When I was starting out, a senior colleague advised me to stay curious and to read constantly. Finding experienced mentors is a must. More than ever, in the 21st century, leaders need to be listeners, as well as champions.

One of the very best aspects of this work is engaging with the current and next generation of Czech leaders and agencies, visiting towns and universities, and meeting with heads of faculties, teachers, and students. It is a vital part of our outreach to engage with the next generation and from the Czech students that we meet, the future of the Czech Republic is already in good hands. The best advice is to listen, learn, question - and be committed to lifelong learning. …and your message to all of us?

This interview has been a special way to share St. Patrick´s Day. Our national day on 17 March has become a global celebration of our links with the Irish abroad, as well as the growing ‘Irish affinity’ diaspora. As a result of our international connectivity, St. Patrick´s Day has become a time to highlight current and new connections, celebrate and expand our networks – and encourage all our partners and friends to visit Ireland and enjoy our very green island!

I’d like to encourage your readers to contact us at the embassy – and look forward with my colleagues to new partnerships and friends.

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It is NECESSARY to look into the FUTURE

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Text: Prof. Eva Zažímalová, President of the CAS; Translation & Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: CAS Archive

At the assembly session that took place in Prague Vinohrady in April 2022, the President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Eva Zažímalová, gave a speech covering the Academy´s activities regarding aid to Ukraine and the three priorities in terms of the science and research areas the Academy would like to focus on during the Czech EU presidency. Here is an extract of the speech that we are bringing to your attention.

The topic I am going to now cover considers our activities to help Ukraine. To begin with, I would like to thank my colleagues, not only in the Academy Council, but also in our institutes. A spontaneous wave of solidarity with Ukraine was, similarly to society as a whole, amazing. I appreciate that deeply.

I would like to emphasise that the Academy Council prepared a clear statement in the afternoon on the very first day of the war. We expressed our support to the invaded Ukraine and unequivocally condemned the unprovoked invasion of the Russian Federation – and we immediately started planning specific help for the people from Ukraine who were arriving to the Czech Republic. In the form of internships, we are channelling it to the scientists, PhD researchers, and postdoctoral students who are leaving their country due to the war. The possibility to continue their research is facilitated through the Researchers at Risk Fellowship program. Under this program, we are going to support at least fifty Ukrainian researchers by the end of 2023. Let me add that the Academy Council approved the first twenty-two applications on 12th April 2022.

The Academy Council also approved an extraordinary increase for the Excellence Support Programme for Prospective Employees – specifically by 50 million CZK. The institutes can start using these funds specifically to support their prospective employees from Ukraine (not only researchers) who reside in the Czech Republic due to the war. This way, we are able to support more colleagues, including outside the scope of the above-mentioned Researchers at Risk Fellowship program.

I would like to say that, in response to the aggression of the Russian Federation and the cooperation of Belarus in it, we have also terminated the agreement with the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The council of the Academy of Sciences has also recommended that the institutes suspend or terminate cooperation with Russian and Belarussian research institutes. We have made this recommendation especially because it is not possible to guarantee freedom of research without political interference. This fact is fundamentally at odds with the concept of science as we perceive it in our European area. However, under no circumstances does our decision apply to individual researchers from Russia and Belarus who express their fundamental disagreement with the war and regimes in their countries.

The institutes keep us updated on how they want to take part in common activities of the Academy of Sciences or which specific forms of aid they offer themselves, and we also inform the public about our activities – namely on our website in a separate section entitled “Help for Ukraine”.

However, it is necessary to look into the future - as Aristotle put it: “It is not enough to win a war, it is more important to organise the peace”. In this regard, our work is still ahead of us.

The third topic of my speech is the agenda in connection to the preparation of the Czech presidency over the EU Council. Let me summarize the areas our activities are focused on. I would like to say that their selection is not random, but it is tied to the long-term Strategy AV21 research programs. So, they represent priorities through which we respond to the current challenges and problems of society, in accordance with our vision of carrying out “cutting-edge research in the public interest”. By no means do we consider this motto some kind of cliché or ‘label’. As the Czech society and its needs change, our institution, the Academy of Sciences, has gone through a transformation too. That is why, in 2014, at the initiative of the preceding Academy Council, under the leadership of my predecessor Prof. Jiří Drahoš, a strategy was born with the objective of multidisciplinary approach to addressing the current issues of today.

For the Czech EU presidency, we have therefore chosen the following three priorities. The first area focuses on Safe food and the use of new methods of genome editing in crop breeding. In so doing, we respond to future problems connected to food shortage and climate change, as well as a recent dramatic development in molecular genetics methods leading to a targeted and controlled genome editing using so-called molecular scissors.

The second priority our activities will concentrate on is Low-emission and safe energetics. After all, the situation today regarding energy just proves the urgency of this issue.

The third area, Resilient society, covers various aspects: from resilient communities, families, and individuals to circular economy and food security, to trust in institutions, and resistance to the spread of disinformation.

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. R OBER TO ALE JANDR O SALAFIA, AMBASSADOR OF AR GENTINA

We ALWAYS continue to TRY Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

When you hear these words from a career diplomat with a 40-year-long working experience, it sure means a lot. And you can understand the message even better when Roberto Alejandro Salafia goes into more detail: “Diplomats don´t usually have ‘adventures’. My professional memories are more related to long negotiations and to the satisfaction of reaching a final agreement”. What challenges has he faced in our country? And what happened in Zimbabwe?

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From left: Facundo Herrera, Laura Fracassa, Ambassador Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Verónica Skerianz and Eduardo Cavallero.

You are completing your four years as ambassador to the Czech Republic in June. How do you feel about our country?

Obviously, I believe that most people are struck by the beauty of Prague at first sight, and then, when you can travel around the country, the combination of nature, history

and culture is unbeatable. Czechs are very proud of their country, and I quickly understood why.

I am a social person by nature and quite active too. I like having a full agenda that allows me to meet interesting people, get to know new places, or learn new information.

But, of course, these activities are related to my respon

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. R OBER TO ALE JANDR O SALAFIA, A MBASSADOR OF AR GENTINA

sibility to look for new horizons in the bilateral relations between my country and the Czech Republic.

How many countries have you been posted to so far?

I have been working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina for 40 years. Prague is my first post as ambassador. Before, I was posted in Brasilia (twice), Pretoria, and Washington DC. Besides that, as a diplomat, I have had the opportunity to visit many other places on official missions.

The opportunity (to experience different countries) is one of the most interesting aspects of our profession.

What is the most remarkable adventure you have had?

I don‘t think that ambassadors´ lives are as exciting as those of journalists or explorers. We don‘t usually have ‘adventures’. My professional memories are more related to long negotiations and the satisfaction of reaching a final agreement. Or to the participation in high-level visits, when it is essential to be very attentive to the smallest details.

However, now I remember that once in Zimbabwe, the hotel managers were supposed to pick me and my family up in the middle of a nature reserve but they did not show up.

We got lost in the jungle and had to spend the night in the vehicle, without any water or food, surrounded by hyenas and other animals. But we survived.

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Well, I believe the challenges you are facing in the Czech Republic are of a different kind?

The beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic was quite complicated. Many Argentinian tourists were stranded in the Czech Republic due to the cancellation of flights and the uncertainty of the changing regulations. Fortunately, we had a lot of support from the local authorities and finally, little by little, we were able to help them reach airports in other countries, since there are no direct flights between the Czech Republic and Argentina or South America. We even rented buses to transport people to Frankfurt.

What is the current status of Czech Republic – Argentina relations?

Bilateral relations are excellent. There is great interest in Argentina due to its size and variety of landscapes, as well as its high-quality food products; like beef and wine; and cultural activities, including tango, literature, and cinema.

And soccer, of course!

Furthermore, around 70,000 people of Czech and Moravian descent live in Argentina, the second-largest community in the Americas after the USA. The Argentine is, to a large extent, the result of immigration and we are very proud of the contribution made by the Czech people to our identity.

What is generally the most difficult part of being an ambassador, no matter what country you might go to?

Without a doubt - carrying forward and trying to achieve all the projects that we have in our minds. We, ambassadors, can have many ideas, even good ones (ha-ha!). But international relations, like other sectors, are full of unforeseen events. We can work hard on a project, an agreement, or a meeting, which can then be cancelled at the last

With family

minute. It is quite complex to integrate the wills of so many players involved. But we always continue trying.

In my case, my work-life balance situation represents a challenge too, I must say. I have three children and my wife of more than 30 years is a Brazilian diplomat herself, which is quite unique as it is not easy to reconcile both careers.

Can you give some advice to the next generations of diplomats?

The diplomatic profession has changed dramatically in recent decades due to the IT revolution. When I started working, back in the 80s, it was quite a challenge to get access to information. On the other hand, today the challenge is to identify the most accurate information amongst hundreds of sources.

Also, diplomats were traditionally expected to be discreet in their activities, but today we are asked to use social media to showcase our work.

Therefore, my recommendation is to incorporate the new tools that technology offers but also maintain a balance, respecting the ‘good old traditions’ of our profession.

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

Clearly, we are living in an unforeseen time period. We thought that we were on the path to a world with greater stability, peace, and development, with possibilities to allocate more resources for health, education, the environment, and technological transformation. However, in recent weeks we have gone back a hundred years and have instead faced a horizon of military confrontation and mistrust. Therefore, my first wish is for peace and dialogue, and to return to a path of understanding.

With regard to the bilateral relations between Argentina and the Czech Republic, my wish is to succeed in developing the full potential of our complementarities. Despite the geographical distance, (my wish is that) new technologies will allow us to develop further links in areas such as software, biotechnology, genetics, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, new materials, alternative energy sources, and peaceful use of nuclear energy, among other things. In short, a whole constellation of sectors in which Argentina and the Czech Republic have much to do jointly and to offer to the rest of the world.

NATIO NA L DAY O F A R GE N T IN A

National Day of ARGENTINA Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Argentine embassy

On the occasion of the National Day, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia hosted a reception at the Prague New Town Hall.

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From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina and Professor Daniel Nývlt, Masaryk University

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina and H.E. Ms. Martina Mlinarevic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina

From left: Mr. Michael Stimmson, H.E. Mr. Jordan Parvanov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, and H.E. Mr. Antonios Theocharous, Ambassador of Cyprus

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina, Eva Anderová, and Meshulam Zisso

From left: H.E. Mrs. Anna Azari, Ambassador of Israel and H.E. Mrs. Maria-Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania

From left: Mr. Anton Strniša, H.E. Mr. Patricio Alejandro Utreras Díaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Brenda Utreras, Mrs. Bernadette Cuvelier, Mrs. Suyeon Kim, Mrs. Atsuko Suzuki, and Mrs. Erna Alice Kvile

From left: H.E. Mr. Taejin Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Rastislav Káčer, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia, and H.E Mr. Grégoire Cuvelier, Ambassador of the Republic of Belgium

From left: Mr. Anton Strniša, Mrs. Atsuko Suzuki, H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan, and Mrs. Svetlana Codreanu

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From left: Arsis Nova choir, Javier Antar and Patricie Poráková (dancers) From left: H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Meshulam Zisso, and H.E. Ms. Cliona Manahan, Ambassador of Ireland

NATIO NA L DAY O F A R GE N T IN A

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THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

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Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Jakub Přecechtěl and Zuzana Bönisch

The National Gallery Prague has the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic, presented in eleven different buildings in the city and beyond. The most interesting works are available online too, thus contributing to the ever-growing accessibility of the collections. Since 2021, the prestigious position of the Gallery´s general director belongs to Alicja Knast, a culture manager from Poland. She told us about her professional dreams, interdisciplinary approach in culture, and National Gallery investment plans for the next five years. As she puts it, “In terms of inventing or reinventing an institution, the sky is the limit.”

I N T E R V I E W W I T H A LI C J A KNA S T, G ENERA L D IREC TO R O F THE NATIO NA L G A L L ERY PR AGUE

It has been a year since you arrived in the Czech Republic. Can you share your impressions with us?

I am constantly being deeply impressed by the way the Czech people feel and communicate about their country’s culture and heritage. The quality of the public media has also made quite an impression. Unfortunately, that would not be a positive comparison for Poland, the country I was born in. Cultivation of proper discussion and juxtaposing different opinions and perspectives sounds like a banal observation, but that is a cornerstone of fostering critical thinking amongst viewers and listeners.

What were the steps that brought you to the post of the general director of the National Gallery Prague and how do you enjoy the work?

I have always dreamt about being able to organize a museum in the way I strongly believe in: open and accessible for all. So far, I succeeded in Poland in various set ups, and I did want to try in a different legal environment. The Czech Republic was an ideal choice. Very far in terms of the cultural heritage dating until 1918, but very close after that to the Polish. I might perhaps mention that I was approached by a head-hunter around the time I was about to start my post in Prague to consider another position in Western Europe.

However, I did not follow that path.

In this dynamic, fluid world galleries and museums also have to be more adaptive. The sky is the limit in terms of inventing or reinventing an institution. It requires a good recurrent diagnosis of the needs of the given audience so that you do not fall into a routine of purely fulfilling the expectations. The most challenging part of being the general director of the National Gallery Prague is making sure I am present in all NGP locations to be able to see the team Alicja Knast

members in their own work environment and support them in a way they deserve.

You have a background in musicology - can we expect more exhibitions focusing on music?

Actually, I have never been a regular musicologist in my life.

I was interested in the connection between visual arts and their influence on composers in choosing a type of timbre, psychoacoustics, and musical cognition, but above all in the art of making musical instruments. During my work at the University of Plymouth, I have closely encountered neuroscientists working on vision and gesture and it turned into a mind-opening experience showing me that we are whole as human beings. The divisions between visual arts, music, and movement are blurred, although present in Western culture since the very beginning of the reflection on human activity and capacity. It was only strengthened during the Enlightenment, but today we know that it is not how we, humans, are creative. I am a student of the late prof Jan Stęszewski who fostered interdisciplinary approaches in students. I do not think that we will make more music-related exhibitions. Besides, the role of the director is to inspire and facilitate, and not make specific exhibitions, so at the end of the day, it is a curator´s drive and passion that is important, not the director´s.

What do you envision for the National Gallery Prague in the next five years of your leadership?

The National Gallery was not fortunate to have a purposebuilt space. Even though we have 33,000 sq m exhibition space in total, nothing that belongs to NGP really fulfils the needs of a contemporary gallery or museum. I am focusing on several investment plans, namely Jinonice depository,

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Trade Fair Palace reconstruction, and digital transformation of the entire institution. I am working with the team on one coherent project where all the three components will have financing and prospect for realization. In the area of programming, we are very intensively working on accessibility to our program and facilities. By that, I do not mean accessibility for people with disabilities.

We understand accessibility in a broader sense since the pandemic showed us that digital content is very much needed and expected. There is no way back from that.

Our five-year strategy is now waiting for approval from the Czech Republic Ministry of Culture.

You were a plenipotentiary and then general director of the permanent exhibition of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Prague has a long history of Jewish people and communities, are you planning to put together such an exhibition here?

Actually, the effort to bring back the memory of the presence of the Jews in the entire Polish history and to foster understating of this presence was very urgently needed. Before establishing POLIN in 2004, Polish heritage institutions were very much focused on the Holocaust, but it was only the result of the fact that during WWII the death camps were built on Polish territory. In the Czech Republic, the situation is different. The aspects of Jewish life, culture, and events of WWII are all well present in the public domain, so unlike in Poland, that would be perhaps unnecessary to establish this kind of an exhibition here. Also, art history is driven rather by phenomena, not based on ethnicity.

Is there any time left for any free-time adventures in the life of the National Gallery Prague director?

Of course… my ongoing adventure is learning Czech.

I simply love the sound of the Czech language. My dream is to truly learn this language to have a better understating of where I work and live. I am quite fascinated by the etymology of Czech words too. Besides that, I work on completing my PhD studies at the London Metropolitan University. I also happen to have a very bad habit of reading too many books at the same time, depending on my switching interests or work needs or inspirations I just had.

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INTER VI E W W I TH J I Ř Í G E O R G I E V, D E P U T Y MI N I S T ER, MINI ST RY OF F I NA N C E

We are facing TREMENDOUS EXTERNAL CHALLENGES Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

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Jiří Georgiev is a lawyer and an experienced professional in the field of European policy.

Simultaneously, he also lectures externally at the Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague.

Previously in his career, he was an inter alia adviser to the Senate Committee on EU Affairs, the deputy director-general of the European Affairs Section at the Office of the Government, and director of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Agriculture. Due to his long-term experience with EU policy, he was appointed Deputy Minister responsible for International Relations and the Financial Markets Section at the Ministry of Finance, as of 1st April 2022. In this position, his pivotal task is to participate in the preparation of the Czech presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022.

The presidency of the Czech Republic over the EU Council starts on 1st July 2022. Which issues do you believe we will be able to make the biggest impact on?

During our presidency over the EU Council we will have to face the crucial external consequences of the Ukraine crisis.

The war in Ukraine and its humanitarian and economic impacts are, without any doubt, the biggest challenge we have to deal with, not only in Central and Eastern European member states.

On the other hand, we should not forget about efforts for economic recovery after the pandemic, caused by Covid-19. Although there were some obstacles and bottlenecks, the economic recovery in the EU was well on track before the 24th of February. Now, one of the main tasks for the EU during our presidency will be to provide maximum support to Ukraine and its citizens, and, at the same time, to foster and protect the economic growth in the EU. Last but not least, we also have to keep in mind that the pivotal role of the Council Presidency is to keep the every-

day agenda running. The Presidency is responsible for the day-to-day work of the Council and all its preparatory bodies. Despite the tremendous external challenges that I have mentioned, we would like to move the legislative files on the table forward.

Which aspects and areas of the war in Ukraine will affect the Czech EU presidency the most?

As I have already mentioned, this war will have an enormous impact on the course of our presidency. We will have to reflect on the current situation in our presidency priorities, and the Czech government has decided to overhaul its previous plans.

To be more specific, we will have to deal with the economic consequences of the war, the influx of refugees, and the implications for the energy sector and the EU budget. In a broader context, we will have to solve soaring energy prices, stability of energy supplies, and problems with supply chains. It is obvious that neither the national government nor the EU can solve everything. Our task, however, is to create the best conditions for allowing

I N T E R V IE W W ITH JIŘÍ G EO R G IE V, D EP UT Y MINIS TER, MINIS TRY O F FIN AN CE

households and businesses to adapt. Simultaneously, we should avoid tensions – the pivotal task for the presidency is to keep the unity of the member states in substantial affairs.

What in particular do the people of the Czech Republic expect from this presidency?

This is a difficult question. Most people are rather busy with their own private issues, and they do not have time to study the nuances of the presidency and its implications. Certainly, it is a very relevant topic to professionals and pundits. However, I guess that people expect the EU to devote enough attention to economic and security issues, as there are many of those in these difficult days.

And I suppose that people may expect from our presidency that we focus on the economic situation, energy prices, availability of energy, and many other issues.

Hence, the Czech government decided to substantively review its priorities in order for the presidency to reflect the current situation.

The second aspect of the presidency is that EU and European policy will be more in the spotlight. In this respect, I believe that there is a unique opportunity to show what the EU can do for the people. On the other hand, although we have reached an unprecedented level of integration, there are still areas where the role of member states is essential.

So, to conclude, I am convinced that citizens expect that their problems and worries will be heard and reflected.

Therefore, we have an opportunity to bring the EU, its role, and its competencies close to the citizens.

Which councils, working groups, and committees of the Council will be chaired by the Ministry of Finance?

The most important and challenging task will be to prepare for regular ministerial meetings. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) is the platform where the major decisions in areas of economic policy, taxation, financial services, or EU annual budgets are taken. Therefore, proper preparation is crucial. Moreover, there will be a regular informal meeting of ministers of finance and governors of central banks in September. This so-called Informal ECOFIN is one of the most significant events in Prague during the entire presidency.

Apart from that, my colleagues at the ministry will be responsible for chairing the tens of committees and working parties responsible for technical works at the expert level before the files are ready for adoption by the Council. These so-called Council preparatory bodies cover a broad area, ranging from economic and financial policy to taxation and budget issues. And of course, the better the preparation at

the working level, the better the outcomes at the level of the Council.

You are an expert in the field of European, constitutional and administrative law. Can the Czech Republic lead any major changes in this regard during the presidency?

Of course, the Presidency does not exist in a vacuum, and it is not established on a „greenfield“. You are always working in a broader context and continuity is a relevant aspect of your work. You start where the previous Presidency finished. And you have to keep in mind that after six months, your work will, hopefully, be assumed by the next Presidency. Nevertheless, our previous historical experience influences our presidency, not only in economic terms, but in the attitude to the Ukraine crisis as well. Therefore, some Czech tracks could be subsequently visible.

What steps will the Czech Republic take towards adopting the Euro during the EU presidency?

Firstly, I would like to underline that the presidency does not play any special role in the process of Euro adoption. You are correct that the Czech Republic is legally committed to adopting a single currency. However, there is no specific date for doing so in regards to timing. We are not in a hurry, and it is entirely up to the government to consider how to set up a timetable for Euro adoption.

The key factor in this regard is the level of economic convergence and the degree of economic alignment of the Czech economy with the Eurozone.

Therefore, every two years, the Ministry of Finance and the Czech National Bank prepare a document titled „Assessment of the Fulfilment of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria and the Degree of Economic Alignment of the Czech Republic with the Euro Area“. Given the current situation and high level of uncertainty, the latest report‘s outcome, which recommends that the Czech government should not set a target date for Euro area entry, for the time being, is still valid.

What do you consider would be the biggest Czech EU presidency achievement, for both the country and you personally?

Under this exceptional level of uncertainty that we are now facing, it is not easy to make a plan with clear goals for the next six months. You can do your best in the planning and preparation, but over one night the stage can inevitably change by an incident out of your control. Therefore, I will be satisfied when the Czech presidency will have fulfilled everything that is expected of it in terms of the day-to-day work and keeping the Union moving forward.

Personally, I hope to confirm the reputation of the Czech Republic as a respected and solid partner in the community of EU member states.

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. LUÍS DE ALMEIDA SAMPAIO, AMBASSADOR OF POR TUGAL

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EUROPE IS OUR COMMON DESTINY Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Jitka Tomečková

Luís de Almeida Sampaio studied law at the Coimbra University, the oldest Portuguese university and one of the oldest in the world. His first diplomatic post was NATO, back in 1987, and after many positions abroad and in Lisbon he came full circle to become ambassador to NATO, immediately prior to his appointment as the ambassador to the Czech Republic in December 2019.

He has an abundance of intriguing stories to share, which he is planning to do in his books when the time comes. Until then, enjoy our interview.

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. LUÍS DE ALMEIDA SAMPAIO, AMBASSADOR OF POR TUGAL

Can you tell us about yourself, please?

Let me start by telling you how pleased I am to have the opportunity to reach out to the wide and very knowledgeable audience of the Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine. I feel privileged to be the ambassador of Portugal to the Czech Republic. I always repeat that I am not the ambassador of Portugal to Prague only, but to the Czech Republic as a whole.

I really mean it. That is the reason why I travel extensively in the Czech lands, visiting not only the main cities, but also never missing the opportunity to get acquainted with the many cultural heritage landmarks, meet Czechs from very different walks of life, and to enjoy Czech traditions.

I also enjoy tasting the variety of Czech gastronomies, wines and beers, and, of course, I am always amazed by the vast natural beauties of this country.

I think that this is already very telling about myself. I am a curious observer and a relentless analyser of cultures and societies. I was always like that, and I believe that a diplomatic life is the best possible life for any true curious observer.

It sure feels great to hear that being an ambassador to our country is a privilege. Would you like to elaborate on this statement?

Being the ambassador of Portugal to the Czech Republic is extremely rewarding personally and professionally, as our bilateral relations are excellent. Indeed, there are no problems between our two countries, and that makes the life of any ambassador especially easy.

It is also very rewarding to serve in such a beautiful capital as Prague, and being in daily contact with my Czech interlocutors, official and private, who are always the kindest persons on Earth, adds to that feeling.

However, the agenda of any ambassador is quite hectic and filled with many meetings, conferences, and reports to write. Fortunately, I have excellent staff working with me, both at the embassy and the residence, and I count on, as I always could throughout my life, the full support and enthusiasm of my wife and daughters, without whom it would have been absolutely impossible to have led a successful diplomatic career.

If you were to mention but one interesting moment in your career, what would it be?

Diplomatic lives are very often rather adventurous lives.

I could tell you many stories, but I believe the following is a good example.

In 2007, during the then Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, in the context of which I was the Middle East Peace Process envoy, I was in Gaza at the time of the take-over of that territory by the Hamas movement.

One day I will write a detailed account of that experience, also to prove that diplomatic lives are not only about receptions and cocktails, meeting ministers and heads of state, and exchanging with diplomatic colleagues.

What is the weirdest thing you had to deal with?

When it comes to the weirdest thing I had to deal with, one episode immediately crosses my mind. It happened a long time ago, in a country that I am not going to mention by name. I was meeting a minister who did not speak any other language except his mother tongue, and we had no interpretation whatsoever.

As I had to convey some urgent messages, I resorted to drawings on a paper napkin. I can guarantee you that I am not a good artist. Extraordinarily enough, I discharged myself honourably of my instructions as the results of my démarche proved to be to the satisfaction of my authorities, as I later learned.

From then on, I have recommended that one of the requirements for future diplomats be basic drawing skills.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic? Do you see any space for the development of Czech-Portuguese relations?

My wife and I came directly from Brussels to Prague by car in December 2019, but we had already visited the Czech Republic before so we knew what to expect about the majestic beauty of this country. Our first impression was of amazement and respect, but the most important thing is that all our impressions after that very first one always just added to that initial feeling. We now understand much better why Czechs are very proud of their country.

The current status of Czech-Portuguese relations is excellent. From a political and diplomatic standpoint, they could not be better. The same applies to our cultural relations. We have hundreds of Portuguese students in the Czech Republic, and the number of Czech students of Portuguese language at the main Czech universities is growing every year.

The domain where there is still a lot of room for improvement is our economic and business relations. I am determined to improve them, and to promote the indispensable synergies that would pave the way for joint ventures of high-tech Czech and Portuguese companies that could together explore markets in regions that complement the interests of both countries. In this vein, we are preparing a roadshow of Portuguese companies, businessmen, and businesswomen to the Czech Republic, scheduled to take place during the EU Czech presidency.

The Czech presidency over the EU Council starts on 1 July this year. This is one of the most important and demanding tasks taken as part of being an EU member country. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

I have no doubt that the Czech Republic will manage to conduct a very successful presidency, in spite of the extremely challenging international circumstances we are living through. I am also convinced that the Czech presidency will contribute to the betterment of the European project.

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With wife

As Portugal recently held the same kind of responsibility, I always make myself available to my Czech interlocutors to share the Portuguese experience and its lessons learned. In this context, I am regularly invited to talk about the Portuguese European integration process and its results.

We, Portuguese and Czechs, are partners in Europe; we know that we both belong to the European family, and that Europe is our common destiny.

You were a permanent representative of Portugal to the NATO Council, the principal political decision-making body within NATO. What is your opinion about the way NATO is currently acting regarding the war in Ukraine?

Indeed, I was the permanent representative of Portugal to the NATO Council between 2015 and 2019. Because of that, as well as due to my extensive prior NATO experience, I have been following with great concern the tragedy that is unfolding because of the unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. That aggression represents an unacceptable gross violation of the international rules-based order and poses a threat to our common security and to our democracies.

We are all with Ukraine and with the suffering of the Ukrainian nation, and I am convinced that the resistance of the Ukrainian people will represent a lighthouse for liberty for many years to come. The cohesion of NATO, the reinforcement of the transatlantic link, and the solidity of the European Union´s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine are all the best demonstration that freedom and justice will prevail.

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

The Portuguese national day, June 10th, is a very special date. We do not celebrate a major battle or a major victory, not even a major political personality or achievement. It is a date unrelated to a king or a president. It is simply, in a very moving way, the date of the death of our greatest poet.

Luís Vaz de Camões wrote about the Portuguese discoveries and adventures, and his poem “Os Lusíadas” became the embodiment of the beauty of the Portuguese language, a language that we share today with more than 250 million people on planet Earth. Indeed, the Portuguese language is one of the very few languages that has the vocation to be a global language, adding a strategic value to the international importance of my country.

What would I like for Portugal? I wish my country the same thing that I wish the Czech Republic: peace and prosperity, especially at this point in time when dark clouds are again unjustifiably hovering over our common horizon, and when we need to deal together, and defeat together, the ghosts from the past that insist on troubling our common present.

Nevertheless, I am convinced that freedom and democracy will prevail and that once again we will be able to devote all our efforts to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.

INTER VI E W W I T H K I YO U N G Y U N, P R E S I D E N T O F S AMS UNG EL EC TR O NICS CZECH A ND S LO VA K

ZOOMERS search for meaningful INNOVATION Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Being one of Samsung’s top managers means still being a Korean at heart, but with the company’s enormous growth and global ambitions, it also means being a real world citizen.

Introducing Ki Young Yun, President of Samsung Electronics Czech and Slovak. The distinguished 48-year-old professional has worked in the Czech Republic for more than two years, and he recently sat down with us to talk about his 20 years of experience in various world markets.

How are young people in our country similar to those in Korea? Why is meaningfulness the greatest value for them? And what are the biggest innovations that our pockets, kitchens, and living rooms can look forward to?

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Samsung is a real giant in consumer electronics, but times are changing fast. Is there a danger that you could miss an important trend?

We constantly focus our efforts on understanding and connecting with younger generations and those setting the new trends. As a company, we also invest heavily in R&D in order to lead the changes in consumer electronics.

Rather than missing trends, we are the ones that drive them forward.

So, what are the trends? What do zoomers and millennials long for?

Recent reports by several global market researchers indicate that especially younger generations are more likely to be belief-driven buyers. This means that they make purchase decisions based on brands that they believe improve society. They also prefer a personalized experience that provides meaning and purpose.

At Samsung, creating a one-of-a-kind customer value and customized experience is one of our top priorities.

What do meaningful consumer electronics look like today?

Above all, they should be sustainable. We all want fewer batteries and unnecessary chargers in our drawers. We want products made from recycled or recyclable materials, and we want to help reduce the energy consumption of household appliances. Another trend is customization, where we want things tailored to us and our needs. The third thing is interconnectivity. For example, people want their cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and TVs to connect seamlessly and

effortlessly. In other words, it means giving users a holistic experience that is customized and connected across every product touchpoint, delivering meaningful and high-value experiences that enrich users’ lives.

You talked about Samsung as a keen innovator.

What innovations can we look forward to in the near future?

You know, it’s quite difficult to pinpoint one particular area of innovation. Samsung sells 500 million devices a year. That’s half a billion mobile phones, tablets, wearables, TVs, monitors, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and so on. We have ground-breaking solutions in virtually every product segment. But I’d like to emphasize that the biggest innovation awaiting us will be in the way that all these devices interconnect. We can look forward to a much more immersive ecosystem, a truly multi-device experience.

At Samsung, we also research and develop various robots that can help consumers in their daily lives. We look forward to announcing exciting new experiences to our customers in the near future.

However, if you still had to choose a specific innovation, a product with the greatest potential to change our lives?

Let me give you a few examples of Samsung’s product innovations that have already changed consumers’ lives.

For smartphones, we were the first to introduce foldable phones to the market at full scale, and now we have the third generation with Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, which

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are a real blockbuster with thousands of them sold each month in the Czech Republic alone. Our lifestyle TVs are unlike anything else in the market. These include the smart portable LED projector The Freestyle and the supersuccessful The Frame, which looks like a picture on the wall and will be even thinner this year and will feature an all-new display surface. As far as televisions are concerned, we’ve been number one in the world market for 16 years, and in order to maintain that status, we’ll continue to invest in development. Recently we’ve been putting a lot of focus on the revolutionary Neo QLED technology. Then there are our The Bespoke refrigerators, which you can assemble like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to get the right colours and fridge/freezer configuration for you. I talked about customization, and it’s our Bespoke concept, where you can configure the product to suit your lifestyle. The Bespoke concept has permeated to other categories, from vacuum cleaners and washing machines to mobile phones.

The pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote working, so it has changed the way people live and how they organize their homes. People have been looking for tech to help them make the most of their lives, whether that’s with our flagship S21 and S22 mobile phones, our Neo QLED 8K TVs, or our latest Smart Monitors.

I believe this will become the starting point for opening new possibilities in the era of the New Normal. We’ll solidify our market leadership by accelerating innovation and offering a differentiated experience for our customers.

During your career, you have overseen different markets, such as Latin America and Spain, and now you are here. Is the Czech market exceptional in any way?

The Czech Republic has an extremely developed e-commerce market. So, when we develop our local e-stores with colleagues from other European countries, we always look to the experience of the Czech Republic for best practices. The Czech people love technology and love to look for the best products to enrich their lives.

Success brings along responsibility. How is Samsung doing with CSR activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia?

One example is lending a hand in times of global crises, such as the onset of COVID-19, the devastating tornado in Moravia last year, or the current aid to Ukraine and its refugees. In all of these cases, we’ve been able to provide urgent material assistance. I’m also pleased that we’re building on our heritage by educating young people. Last year, our successful project for high school students called “Tvoje šance” received the Czech CSR award (Top Responsible Company Helping the Surroundings). This year, four years after it was established, the project has been transformed into a student innovation competition called “Solve For Tomorrow”. In the area of sustainability, especially in the environment, Samsung strives to incorporate environmental sustainability into everything we do.

The past two years have been marked by the pandemic. What effect did it have on your business?

You have been living and working in Prague for almost three years now. As a Korean, how do you per-

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ceive the Czech Republic? How is life different here and what did you have to adjust to?

Unfortunately, shortly after I arrived here, the pandemic broke, so I was only able to start travelling more and meeting people last fall, after my second vaccination.

I discovered that the Czech Republic is a really beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty.

And at work? Is the local work culture different from Korea or Spain, where you spent six years?

You could say that Koreans of my generation are somewhat career driven. But as far as younger generations are concerned, I think they already see things differently. I’d say that the attitude towards the work-life balance is similar for young Koreans today as it is for Czechs. I feel quite lucky to have had the chance to experience so many different cultures across Europe.

If you wanted to personally invite Czech job-seekers to your team, would you say they will have a good time at Samsung?

My Czech colleagues would attest to the fact that the overall office atmosphere at Samsung is quite dynamic and energetic. Samsung was named the World’s Best Employer

by Forbes in 2020 and 2021. So, if I wanted to recruit someone, I’d probably ask: “Do you want to work for a good company, or for the best employer in the world that breaks new ground every day in both technology and the consumer experience?”

We’re a company full of diverse and talented people, and I’m so proud to work with them. I look forward to welcoming new professionals, as well as young talent, to our Samsung family.

One more personal question. Your resume says you spent several years in the military. Did the experience give you anything?

Yes, like many young Koreans, I spent three years in the military. In my case, it was with the Air Force. It was a pretty unique time, and I remember one main feeling: that anything is possible, that I can handle any challenge. I think it strengthened me and gave me an inner discipline that has helped me stay focused.

Now, you are the president of the Czech and Slovak branches of Samsung electronics, and you manage several hundred people. Do you find time for other personal activities?

It’s true that there’s not a lot of personal time during the week. But on the weekends, I like to spend time with my family, which means my wife. We enjoy travelling to interesting small towns in the Czech Republic and treating ourselves to the local cuisine. And then there are the small but important activities like reading newspapers and books and jogging or exercising at least two times a week. I try to spend as much time in the open air as I do in the digital world.

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. MARIAM RAK VIASHVILI, AMBASSADOR OF GEOR GIA

Czechia is a FAVOURABLE DESTINATION for EVERY DIPLOMAT 37 Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: adam-costey studio

Mariam Rakviashvili is a Georgian career diplomat, serving as the ambassador of Georgia to the Czech Republic since 2019. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in 2003, where she served in various diplomatic positions. Until recently, she was a deputy state minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Mariam Rakviashvili has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in European law and international relations. What does she appreciate about our country? And how does she perceive European integration?

What is it like to be a diplomat in the Czech Republic?

For a diplomat, it is a privilege to live and work in a friendly country, a country that shows political support; this is the key to successful cooperation. Czech and Georgian people have much in common, and this is partly due to our similar history of living and struggling under the communist regime – this shared experience brings more understanding to our relationship.

The quality of everyday life is very high here in Czechia – everything is well organized, you have effective services, a good education system, many cultural and sports events are happening here… there are various places to see around Prague, and it is a kind of endless adventure in a fairy tale. My children, Elene and Kosta, are also enjoying their everyday lives here in Prague. They are the typical diplomats’ kids – always quick to adapt to a new reality – and for this, I am very thankful to them. It is very important

for career diplomats to have supportive families. I have enormous respect for the general attitude toward nature preservation here. Prague is one of the greenest cities in Europe and it definitely has a positive impact on one’s lifestyle. I personally enjoy Czech architecture, as my first university degree is in architecture and design. Prague Art Nouveau architecture is especially splendid. Czechia is a favourable destination for every diplomat.

Thank you for your positive words, I hope the status of Czech-Georgian relations is equally splendid.

Yes, the bilateral Czech-Georgian relations are an exemplary case of partnership and cooperation. The Czech Republic is one of the strongest supporters of Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and grants valuable financial and political assistance to facilitate the complex process. At the same time, the strong support of the Czech gover

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. MARIAM RAK VIASHVILI, AMBASSADOR OF GEOR GIA

nment toward Georgia’s territorial integrity is of utmost importance, as 20% of Georgian territory is occupied by Russia and the population of the occupied regions of Abkhazia, Georgia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia, is subject to severe human rights violations on a daily basis. This is something that requires vocal support from our partners, and the Czech Republic is one of them.

Georgia is the Czech Republic’s important development cooperation partner. Since 2008, the priority focus has been to address the impacts of the conflict with Russia as a matter of greatest urgency. The Czech government allocated an extraordinary volume of funding for reconstruction and development assistance in the country.

Gradually, the nature of the cooperation has evolved from humanitarian assistance, through post-war reconstruction, into stability and the integration of Georgia into the European Union. When it comes to the investments, the Czech Republic is one of the leading investors among the EU countries, mainly in the energy sector, but if we look at the recent statistics, the Czech entrepreneurs´ sphere of interest is extending and includes hospitality, medical wellness tourism, the manufacturing industry etc.

How do you view the upcoming Czech EU presidency - are you expecting the cooperation between our countries to intensify even further?

The upcoming Czech presidency of the European Council will see your country take a leading role on the international stage. This is a crucial time to act with unity and to resolve pressing issues. Just recently, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova - the Eastern Partnership ‘Trio’ countries - have applied for EU membership, and I am sure that the Czech Republic’s role in safeguarding our European future will be decisive. I would like to quote the Italian writer Umberto Eco here: “The language of Europe is translation” – translation of different cultures into shared values, in my opinion.

I believe that this is the notion of Europe.

You were a deputy state minister for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia. What are the prospects for Georgia’s EU and NATO membership?

EU integration is not a decision made by a certain political party. European values are part of Georgian identity, Georgia is a European country. If you look at the polls, about 80 % of Georgians support the EU and NATO membership.

The signing of the Association Agreement with the EU and the granting of visa-free travel status between the EU and Georgia was definitely a milestone. When we speak about the European integration of Georgia, it is important to remember the complexity of the region’s geopolitical context, especially in light of the tragic developments in Ukraine due to the Russian aggression. Although a pro-western orientation is very strong in the country, there is a certain scepticism fuelled by Russian propaganda, saying that Georgia will never be an EU member, stating that there

are alternatives. In this situation, it is important to keep consistency and receive strong support from the EU. NATO membership is another priority of Georgia’s foreign policy. Georgia is the most advanced NATO aspirant country, and it is well recognized that all the practical tools we have help to speed us up to full membership in the alliance. Unfortunately, the decision not to grant Georgia the Membership Action Plan (a precondition of membership) in 2008, at the Bucharest summit of NATO, was seen by Russia as an invitation to invade and start military actions. The refusal was a clear signal to Russia to continue its expansion, and, unfortunately, Georgia was the first to face the aggression. Today, the war and Russian atrocities in Ukraine have made it crystal clear that the consolidation of the civilized world, combined with strong political decisions, is the only solution to stop the Kremlin’s aggressive policy toward its neighbours.

This interview is done on the occasion of your national day. What do you wish your country?

This year, Georgia marks the 104th anniversary of its independence. Following the First World War, Georgia adopted the declaration of independence in 1918 and the first constitution in 1921, which was based on several European examples, including the constitution of Czechoslovakia. However, soon after its adoption, the Democratic Republic of Georgia fell under the Soviet occupation for decades. Georgian people paid a high price for independence, but, unfortunately, the fight is still going on. In this context, I wish Georgia peace and freedom - the most important precondition for a country’s development and prosperous future.

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INT ER VI E W W I T H A LE Š C H ME LA Ř, D E P U T Y MI N I STER, MINIS TRY O F FO REIG N A FFA IRS

The situation requires EXTENSIVE COORDINATION Text: Martina Hošková and Eva Anderová; Photo: Archive

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In the position of Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Aleš Chmelař oversees the relevant section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He earned a Master´s degree in EU economic and monetary policy, an EMU in London, and prior to his current position served as a former Czech state secretary for European affairs. He speaks English, French, and German. What balance does he think the Czech Presidency has to ensure? How does he evaluate the trio program? And does he consider the Eastern Partnership Policy effective?

Regarding the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council, what do you foresee as its biggest challenges?

With war raging just behind the EU‘s border and with no clear-cut end in sight, we will have to work intensively on mitigating the consequences of the conflict. The EU as a whole needs to tackle (the war’s) effects on Ukraine and the wider Eastern neighbourhood, as well as on itself.

Necessary assistance to Ukraine and continuous pressure on Russia require extensive EU Council coordination. The Presidency will have to ensure a good balance between crisis management connected to the war and work on long-term policy issues such as green and digital transition, deepening trade relations, and building up the EU‘s economic and security resilience in various domains.

Which councils, working groups, and committees will be chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Czech presidency?

The ministry will chair fewer working groups than during the previous Czech presidency, which took place before the Lisbon Treaty. We will be responsible for around fifteen working groups dealing with the EU´s external policies, inc-

luding enlargement, relations with Britain, EFTA and African countries, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation, as well as communitarian law and consular coordination. Many other Council‘s working groups covering foreign affairs are currently chaired by the External Action Service.

The EU member states supported a joint 18-month program of the upcoming presidency trio in December 2021. What are the key pillars of this program?

The trio is relatively unique in its divergence. It displays a wide range of interests covering the traditional geographical and historical cleavages of Europe. Despite the seeming heterogeneity of the trio, we managed to agree on an ambitious program. Its general structure follows the logic and content of the European Council‘s Strategic Agenda for 2019-24. It also reflects the latest Commission‘s Working Program. The key pillars of the program are based on the EU‘s economic recovery efforts, green and digital transition, fighting the COVID pandemic, and deepening relations with strategic partners. After the aggression of Russia against Ukraine the program would certainly merit some updates.Our aim is to contribute substantially to the EU‘s efforts in supporting Ukraine and other associated

countries of Eastern Europe. We also need to increase the pace of the EU integration of the Western Balkans countries. We must engage more strategically with Indo-Pacific and Sahel countries. We want to use the opportunity of the Council presidency to deepen the transatlantic partnership.

What are the areas where the trio has made the biggest progress in deepening relations with strategic partners so far?

We have all agreed on the need to provide a new impulse to relations with strategic partners considering our values, principles, and interests. That’s our departure point. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined the vital importance of the Union‘s relations with the United States and Canada. We have to proceed with implementing the Joint Transatlantic Agenda, agreed upon in the summer of 2021, and develop the activities of the Trade and Technology Council. We should also strengthen our economic ties with Canada and keep the EU united against its rivals.

How will the war in Ukraine affect the Czech EU Presidency regarding the multilateral Eastern Partnership Policy?

Three out of six Eastern Partnership countries are closely associated with the EU. It proves that EaP as a policy has been quite effective as an association, and further economic cooperation have been its objective since its creation in 2009. We should now think about its future and concentrate on the most pressing issues. We have to continue our support to Ukraine while providing necessary assistance to Moldova and Georgia, keeping inclusivity as an important principle. As the Council Presidency, we will also want to focus on building resilience in these countries by transforming the concept into concrete projects.

The Association Agreement with Ukraine entered into force on 1st September 2017. What is the state of play of this agreement?

Since 2017, a number of reforms, previously thought to be difficult to enforce, were passed, such as political decentralisation, a change in electoral processes, and the creation of several new institutions that have become responsible for the fight against corruption and clientelism.

As part of the Agreement, a so-called Deep and Comprehensive FTA was also passed with Ukraine, which has been provisionally applied since 2016. These initiatives have become two main vehicles for bringing the EU and Ukraine closer together by deepening political ties and fostering mutual trade.

Any party may request a revision of a treaty five years past the start of its implementation. In February 2021, both the EU and Ukraine expressed interest in revising the part of the agreement concerning trade in goods. In the context of the current conflict, the European Commission submitted in April a legislative proposal to drop all remaining tariffs for a period of one year, with the possibility of an extension. This proposal is currently being discussed within the EU Council and we hope for a positive decision soon.

What would you welcome as the Czech EU Presidency´s greatest achievement? Do you have a personal goal in this regard?

In current circumstances, the most important achievement of the Czech presidency would be to keep the EU united against the backdrop of the Russian invasion, and progress in the economic integration of its Eastern neighbourhood.

Further developing our economic and security resilience will also be key, and the Council Presidency will contribute to this. The diversification of our energy resources, as well as the decreasing of our overall dependence on Russia, should see a tangible, swift, and realistic action, as well as a further plan. The biggest achievement of many people working on the presidency, including myself, would be to have, at the end of our presidency, a peaceful, more resilient, and prosperous Europe than we have today.

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The House delegation supported the award-winning

Czech pavilion at EXPO 2020 Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The delegation, led by the Speaker of the Chamber Markéta Pekarová Adamová, took part in the Czech National Day at the EXPO 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai. The program also included a meeting with the chairman of the UAE legislature, participation in a business forum, the signing of a memorandum on inter-university cooperation, and a visit to the Ukrainian pavilion.

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„The barbaric war waged by Vladimir Putin‘s dictatorial regime in Ukraine sharply contrasts with the basic idea of a general world exhibition. It consists in the belief that states should inspire each other and look for ways to improve the quality of life of all people without distinction,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, head of the delegation and speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The main aim of the work program of the House delegation at the World Expo 2020 was actively participating in the opening ceremony of the National Day on Monday, March 21st - the first day of spring. This was entirely symbolic, because the national pavilion of the Czech Republic is called Czech Spring. The introductory speeches were followed by a cultural program, which presented traditional Old Bohemian costumed folk dances accompanied by members of the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic. They later played the domestic national anthem directly in front of the Czech pavilion and – as an expression of moral support to millions of war-torn Ukrainians - also performed the Ukrainian national anthem.

The chairwoman also visited the Ukrainian pavilion, where she underwent a guided tour.

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„At the EXPO exhibition, I most often encountered two types of exhibits. One type seeks to present their country as an ideal tourist destination and attracts visitors through colorful excursions into their own national history. The second, on the other hand, aims to present the technological progress achieved in the chosen field since the last world exhibition, and to educate visitors in a non-intrusive way. The Czech Republic has chosen the second approach, and I think it has chosen very well. This is evidenced not only by the award of a prestigious silver medal from renowned experts, but above all by the continuing interest of the general public,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, head of the delegation and speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

In addition, the Speaker of the House met in person with her United Arab Emirates counterpart in Dubai – President of the Federal National Council Saqr Gobash. One of the topics of their joint working meeting was the issue of energy self-sufficiency and ensuring stability in world energy markets. The chairwoman also launched a business forum dedicated to Czech smart solutions in the field of sustainable energy and clean mobility. Another integral part of the delegation was a group of 17 Czech entrepreneurs, who are trying to penetrate the local UAE market and establish new business connections there.

EXPO Houses

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LAWYER by training, AMBASSADOR by fate Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands, the average yearly temperature is 26.6 °C, and its list of spoken languages reaches the number of 182. Sounds quite different from what we are used to in the Czech Republic, so how does a Filipino perceive our country when they arrive? “My first impression of the Czech Republic was one of a prosperous, industrialised country. Of course, I was not mistaken - for indeed, it is,” says the Philippine ambassador Ombra T. Jainal and goes on to explain how he became a diplomat, what the current state of the Czech-Philippine relations is, and what significant milestone awaits our two countries next year.

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Can you tell us about yourself and your path to being an ambassador?

I am the eldest child of a lowly farmer and fisherman in the southernmost island municipality of the province of Sulu where education, including basic education, is very hard to avail of. Married to Elsie Escandar Jainal, a nurse, who also comes from the same island municipality, we have nine grown-up and professional children, six of whom are already married. We have four grandchildren. So, you can imagine that in my free time, aside from exercising and reading, I often talk to my children and grandchildren by video call.

I became an ambassador by a stroke of fate. I am a lawyer by training, and never did I dream of becoming an ambassador. However, in 2016, when our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office, he made it known that he needed well-meaning people to join him in government. The rest is history.

When I hear “the Philippines”, an image appears in my mind of long beautiful beaches combined with an ongoing economic boom. What about your impression of the Czech Republic?

This is now my 4th year in the Czech Republic, and I will be ending my tour of duty on June 30th this year. My first impression of the Czech Republic was one of a prosperous, industrialised country. Of course, I was not mistaken - for indeed, it is.

It is also a beautiful country; with Prague as its capital, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

My children and grandchildren simply love the place, and travelling to some of the most beautiful places in the country is certainly a good adventure that I shall always remember. Aside from trade and commerce, tourism is one industry that has a big potential between the two countries.

What is the strangest or the most difficult issue you have faced here?

Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic can be weird.

Despite my age, in order to minimize the risk of infection, I climb the stairs instead of using the elevator. At 73, I am not supposed to climb the stairs, right?

Besides that, and modesty aside, I did not really find any difficulty to deal with. In fact, I have truly enjoyed doing my job as an ambassador, serving my country, helping the Filipinos in the Czech Republic, and in the process, meeting so many good people and making friends. It is my hope that bilateral meetings in various fields, e.g., political, defence, and economic, which were temporarily held off due to the pandemic, would finally resume this year and continue to be held in the upcoming years.

What is the current state of the Czech-Philippine relations?

The current state of the Philippine-Czech relations, I believe, is on a high note. Despite the physical distance between the two countries, and the challenges brought about to all of us by the COVID-19 pandemic, we still managed to enhance bilateral relations. When I started my tour

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. OMBRA T. JAINAL, A MBASSADOR OF THE PHILIPPINES

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With family

of duty as an ambassador in July 2018, there were just a little more than a thousand Filipinos in the Czech Republic, but, today, despite the pandemic, there are already more than 3,500 Filipinos in the country. Czech companies value the contribution of Filipino workers towards their high productivity rates, which in turn contribute to the growth of the Czech economy.

There is also a steady number of Filipino students in the Czech Republic as a result of the academic cooperation agreements between Philippine and Czech universities.

This interview is on your national day. What do you wish your country on this special day? And what to the Czech Republic?

The Philippines obtained its independence on 12th June 1898; thus, we will be celebrating 124 years of independence this year. We have many reasons to celebrate, even amidst the challenges of the pandemic. First, we are close to attaining the 70% target of fully vaccinating our population; second, our economy is back on track and is expected to grow by 6% to 7% this year; and third, we just held

our national and local elections – a free and democratic exercise that allowed Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad, to select our new leaders for the next six years.

As they are to reach an important milestone next year, that is, 50 years of diplomatic relations, I wish the Philippines and the Czech Republic will continue to enhance their economic relations, putting more emphasis on the complementarity of their available resource endowments that both could benefit from in terms of trade and investments.

For example, the Czech Republic is a landlocked country while the Philippines, being an archipelago, is surrounded by large bodies of water. We recognize the strengths of the Czech Republic in natural sciences, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technical sciences. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to explore aside from the traditional trade in goods and services, such as investments in marine science, technology, and innovation; research and educational exchange on conservation and preservation of water and marine resources; infrastructure related to connectivity; and maritime security.

INTER VI E W W I T H ZD E N Ě K KO VA Ř Í K , H E A D O F H OS P ITA L IT Y, JUL IUS MEINL L IVING

The ACCOMMODATION MARKET is not saturated

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I N T E R V I E W W I TH ZD ENĚK KO VA ŘÍK , HEA D O F HO S P ITA L IT Y, JUL IUS MEINL LIVIN G

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

When I moved to Prague more than twenty years ago, my first apartment was at Senovážné náměstí square, just a few buildings from the new Julius. Now, in these turbulent times we all are going through, they are introducing a new serviced residence concept in Prague, which I instantly became very curious about. The best way to find out was to speak with Zdeněk Kovařík, head of hospitality at Julius Meinl Living.

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INTER VI E W W I T H ZD E N Ě K KO VA Ř Í K , H E A D O F H OS P ITA L IT Y, JUL IUS MEINL L IVING

How has the last two years impacted the tourism sector and the plans for The Julius?

The last two years have been full of challenges for the tourism sector. The arrival of Covid, the “Stay Safe” initiative from the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Czech Republic, the joy of summer 2020, the reduction in travel again, and now finally launching The Julius; the last two years have involved lots of ups and downs but also lots of opportunity for us to further develop our concept.

We now have more faith than ever and strongly believe in a customer desire for an experience that offers the best of hotel and apartment living in one. We are launching a unique project that we are truly proud of.

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During this challenging period, you personally were busy and preoccupied with a a new project, introducing a fresh concept to the market...

During the Coronavirus pandemic I agreed to implement a unique serviced residence project with the representatives of House of Julius Meinl. Their project ‘The Julius’ really appealed to me because it is exclusive both in terms of implementation and design, as well as in operation with the aim to maximize the guest´s satisfaction. The choice of location, the fusion of technology and tradition, the emphasis on first-class personified service, and cooperation with world-famous architects and designers from the Matteo Thun studio in Milan, all were the reason for me to start this collaboration.

Isn‘t the market already saturated? Is The Julius really coming up with a brand new vision?

Yes, we are introducing the next generation in the accommodation services sector. We are offering a new standard based on a history of tradition in service and quality. The Julius won’t be just another place for sleepovers, but a place for being and living instead. At The Julius, wherever you visit it, you experience a mix of accessible luxury, location, and service.

To answer your question though, I do not think the accommodation market is saturated. For the past two years, many providers were tested for stability. The market got partially cleaned up, and this season, affected by the crisis in Ukraine, will further refine the market. Only concepts with added value will remain. The second apartment rented out in the Air b ‚n‘ b scheme will not be such a golden-egg laying goose as it used to be before 2020.

The guests keep demanding more and more. What is the added value in The Julius?

We are in the 21st century, so it is an elegant and natural combination of technological amenities with a human approach. Now, the guest can arrange a number of things online during the time of stay search, the booking itself, before the check-in, or during the stay. Still, it is the attentive staff that makes the stay an unforgettable experience. If preferred, guests can do the obligatory administrative tasks separately. Our staff is keen to assist them, but our staff is there to provide the best possible service with a personal attitude to all guests. The Julius guests should “feel home away from home“. Feel comfortable, safe, and among people who understand them. In The Julius, technology does not represent the workforce; on the contrary, it underscores the capabilities and experiences of our team and the centuries-proven services of House of Julius Meinl. The guest has the opportunity to choose the level, from the range of services provided, that is best, most suitable, and most natural for them.

What’s unique is The Julius’s location. In Prague, we believe in the potential of the area between The Main and Masaryk railway stations. The architectural and interior design and completion of our house are simply breathtaking. Matteo Thun‘s studio did an incredible job - combining old with new, technology with tradition. We wanted to encourage and highlight the local craft tradition. Another unique feature is the crystal chandelier from Czech glass producer Preciosa, which hangs across all floors in the main staircase.

Your professional story, one could say, is connected to the lands of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Well, you are right. During the last 20 years, I have had the opportunity to be part of or lead hospitality teams not only in the Czech Republic, but also in Croatia and Bulgaria. Business development is my favourite discipline, and I managed a portfolio of accommodation locations across six towns

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in five countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, and the Czech Republic. The locations are just spots on the map.

Wherever you are, hospitality always depends on the team that you assemble. The team is a key component. People are essential and I really enjoy setting the teams for The Julius Prague and our other operations. My colleagues have real passion and enthusiasm for their work and a common shared vision. I am sure that the guests will positively experience this passion, enthusiasm, and commitment. That is the irreplaceable human factor. We all believe in it. And the Julius Meinl family has been proving it for over 160 years.

Exploiting the possibilities of modern technology should be common in new and innovative projects. The same way technology permeates our personal lives, it similarly does in hospitality. At The Julius, we are trying to be a step ahead.

Set the direction and standard, simply giving the very best to the guests. As a matter of fact, we were the first to apply for the international certification of the quality of accommodation services in our residential housing segment. We, at The Julius, have the ambition to become the first certified serviced residence with a guaranteed range of services in the Czech Republic.

160 years… what a commitment!

Yes, their guest attitude fulfils the motto „How may I serve you?” The projects and businesses of the entire House of Julius Meinl are still synonymous with refinement, tradition, and quality. We want to continue that. Respectively, transfer the family motto to residential apartment housing - a guest will not find just another ordinary anonymous apartment in The Julius. On the contrary - guests will enjoy accessible luxury in modern inviting suites, meeting rooms, design shared space, a restaurant, a bar, or a top-class gym.

And of course, parking with charging stations is available. If a guest prefers a contactless stay, we will comply. Our app will guide the guest through the entire stay. And a guest who wants to enjoy their stay being offline will appreciate our professional and helpful staff.

Being a trendsetter is not easy, aren‘t you afraid of the competition?

Definitely not, I see competition as something beneficial. And that is for both sides. It is always good to have something to learn from someone, take on those good practices and also learn from setbacks. There are still many areas to be developed in the hospitality sector. There is, for example, the concept of a circular and sustainable economy, support of local and regional producers, coexistence, and support of the local community. There are countless projects we can participate in and cooperate on. And we keep on searching for new projects. Our younger colleagues in particular have original and novel ideas.

Will technology really guide a guest through their entire stay?

So, your inspiration comes from the college students whom you lecture?

Actually, yes. They rarely come up with a coherent functioning concept, but their individual ideas, comments,

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I N T E R V I E W W I TH ZD ENĚK KO VA ŘÍK , HEA D O F HO S P ITA L IT Y, JUL IUS MEINL LIVIN G

and inquiries encourage me to further develop and move forward. I am constantly learning and gaining experience.

I humbly try to pass on my own experiences, encourage the students´ curiosity, and at the same time perceive the business environment in a broader context. There are many variables for a successful business. It always depends on an individual‘s ability, but it also depends on the support of their surroundings. Few world-famous entrepreneurs have done it all on their own. Mostly they had a team of colleagues or a family around them. A stable and supportive team (be it colleagues or a family) are essential to successful projects.

A family is not temporary, like most other things. Do you rely on family support too?

Without the cooperation, support and understanding of

my wife and two wonderful daughters, I could not have imagined my current work commitment. We can support each other, but also be each other’s first critics. It goes for everyone, especially the children - they really do speak their mind.

Coping with work and family life has been a major challenge for me over the past two years. Fortunately, with my family, we can enjoy our time together whether it’s doing sports, travelling, or spending time outdoors.

I must admit I really do spend a lot of time working on The Julius project. Just like in my family, at work we also experience perfect teamwork coordination, as well as misunderstandings, backing ups, and sometimes also disappointments. But that is exactly our team´s strength. We can support each other, focus on the essentials, and move towards a common goal - to create an unforgettable guest experience at The Julius.

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. LJILJANA PANCIR O V, AMBASSADOR OF CR OATIA

DIPLOMATS are EXPERTS in many FIELDS Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Zuzana Hubinková

I have chosen Croatia as my summer holiday destination quite a few times, which obviously makes me a typical Czech. I sure did enjoy the sea and atmosphere in Poreč, Pula, Omiš, and elsewhere.

It is my pleasure to give space to the Croatian ambassador Ljiljana Pancirov on the pages of our magazine so that we can learn about her diplomatic experience in our country, think about her advice to the new generation of ambassadors, and feel flattered when she appreciates our care of Czech cultural heritage. The ambassador herself feels that “it was my destiny to come to this very country as an ambassador”.

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Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and the rich professional background you have developed so far?

I was born in Zagreb and have lived in that wonderful city all my life, except when I accepted my diplomatic duties.

I have had experiences in Den Haag, the Netherlands; Helsinki, Finland (while also covering Estonia); then Pécs, Hungary; and I am now placed in Prague. My main education is in humanities, literature, and languages, with an additional flavour of economics, which I took as my postgraduate choice for some time.

Should I go into more detail about my rich professional background, as you say, I can mention several assignments.

For years, I worked in the international science project management during the wartime as a personal secretary to the President of the Republic. I then became a director of international relations at Zagreb University, and finally entered the diplomatic service in the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs. Our state was young in the 1990s and we were creating our own, modern, Croatian diplomatic service. In the ministry I was heading a Department for Northern and Western Countries, a Department for Diplomatic Education at the Diplomatic Academy, and a Department for Analytics and Policy Planning - a variety of different topics, all being an excellent basis for the work abroad that followed. In diplomacy, one has to be an expert not only in politics and economy, but also in education, culture, security, the IT sector, and many other very specific fields.

I am also a proud mother to my daughter Željana and my son in law Rutger, who, as a Dutchman, brought an intercultural environment to our family. My biggest love and creatures that adore me most are my grandchildren, Mara and Tigo. Whoever read Babička by Božena Němcová would understand our relationship and the importance of a granny’s love.

How do you perceive your long diplomatic work experience? Has it changed you as a person?

Let me start deep back in history. As I have already mentioned, I was born in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where the first Bishop in the 11th century was Duh, the first known Czech in Zagreb. We might say that in his personality we have the beginning of Croatian and Czech ties and a friendship between the two nations that has lasted for centuries, even today. Indisputably, my destiny was to come to this very country, Czechia, and be a Croatian representative on the level of ambassador.

Since I come from the continental part of Croatia under the influence of the Central European cultural circle, it is no wonder that living in Prague made my life comfortable and nice, and that I have felt at home since the very first days of my mandate. When you are an ambassador in a country with which there are no open political issues then you have an easy job to keep the relations going smoothly and in a friendly mood. During my long career I have been a high ranked diplomat, then Chargé d’Affaires for over a year, a Consul General, and finally an ambassador. I call it the crown of my diplomatic achievements, and highly

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. LJILJANA PANCIR O V, AMBASSADOR OF CR OATIA

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appreciate the position. My personality is the same as it was before, I like to keep it unchanged, but the feeling that you can make the final decision, even take the responsibility for it, makes you proud of your accumulated experience leading you in the right direction and to the final positive results. When everything is finished, when all the titles go and the red carpet vanishes, what is left behind is the judgement of you, the memories you created with your collaborators, colleagues, and friends, and yes, if positive, this is the most precious feeling that overwhelms you.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years.

Can you share some of your impressions?

As I have already said, Czechia is deep in my heart and is very familiar to me and my mentality. The Coronavirus prevented me from travelling around more than I really wanted, but I still saw various parts of this beautiful country. I am impressed with how all the castles and fortresses are well kept, and I have a feeling that every town has one.

Prague is beyond any imagination. I read legends about its secret places; I like to wander through its narrow streets, to enjoy the sound of the Vltava, and to mingle through the

parks and green areas. My special love is South Moravia.

Our autochthonous minority (Moravian Croats live around Mikulov and Břeclav and came to this area in 1533) live in this beautiful and vivid area, which is very similar to their primary homeland.

Relations between the two countries are excellent, stable, and unburdened with open issues, based on common cultural heritage, historical experience, and respect for common European values. The economic cooperation has intensified in recent years, including big investment projects, but the economic field always gives space for further enhancement. We have very active minorities who are among many bonds that bring us closer. Czechs in Croatia are the most active Czech minority outside the Czech Republic..

Croatia is the biggest holiday destination for Czech people. How do you, as an ambassador, help promote your country?

Czech people actually established tourism in Croatia at the end of the 19th century. Have a look at the short Jiří

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Menzel’s documentary Vaše moře, naše moře and you will learn a lot about the history of the tourist industry. What I am saying by this is that the Czechs know Croatia, Croatian people, and basically our tourist potential. Anyway, I still give a lot of interviews in various media outlets, talk at tourist presentations, and use every opportunity to inform people about how beautiful, safe and reliable we as a tourist destination are. War operations in the 1990s, Coronavirus lockdown - nothing could have prevented our Czech friends from coming and enjoying summers at the Adriatic.

Nowadays, you are becoming exclusive tourists. We want the Czechs to be present more and more throughout the whole year, not only at the seaside but also the inland of the country. We welcome the fact that many Czechs decided to become investors in Croatia.

We go on holiday to Croatia, what do you do during your free time in our country?

Being an ambassador does not give you a lot of free time, even during weekends. Surrounded by people all the time, in the office, at social gatherings, gives you little time for yourself. These precious personal moments I keep for my closest friends and for me, myself. I believe I am a good cook. I like various kinds of music, getting emotional peace by reading books, and enjoying natural beauty. Nordic walking is a welcome activity and reminds me of my Finnish times.

Can you give some advice to the next generations of ambassadors?

My piece of advice follows my lifeline behaviour, and it says: “Be human, remain what you really are, study all your life because knowledge is upgraded every minute and you have to be in. Do not think that you are above others, you are just first among equals. Do not look at other people von oben, every person is a value by itself, which might

at some time be valuable to you too. Ambassadors are a kind of managers, but in order to be good and successful ones they have to have the right information and a wide knowledge. The richness of personality is of utmost importance. And above all, they have to be respectable. Just a pose, does not count”.

The EU presidency of the Czech Republic starts on 1 July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

Croatia, as the youngest European Union state (since 2013) started presiding over the EU Council in the first part of 2020 and succeeded in solving European issues in the best possible way. It was a very complicated time burdened with the start of the Covid pandemic and its consequences worldwide, and at the same time Croatia was struck by an earthquake. Czechia is preparing very seriously for the presidency, and I believe that the results will be the best possible. War in Ukraine and the energy crises will be among the main topics for sure. Croatia is always open to sharing its presidential experiences with its Czech friends.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. What are your wishes in this regard?

On 30th May 1990 the first democratically elected multiparty state parliament was constituted and therefore this date we celebrate as a Croatian National Day. The year 2022 has an additional meaning as we also celebrate 30 years of the international recognition of the Republic of Croatia, starting on 12th January when the European Community recognized Croatia, and many other countries followed. It has been very important to us because Croatia had a difficult path to freedom and suffered irreparable losses during the war. My wish for peace, stable democracy and security, economic prosperity, and peoples’ wellbeing goes to my own country, but also to all of the likeminded states.

NATIO NA L DAY O F CR OAT IA

National day of CROATIA Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Zuzana Hubinková

On the occasion of the National Day, the 30th anniversary of international recognition, and the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia and Col. Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché hosted a reception at the Prague New Town Hall.

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From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Bc. Martin Radkovič MBA, owner of the Vinařství Ritopeky, Břeclav; a member of the Croatian minority from southern Morava

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mr. Srđan Matić, Head of Country Office, WHO

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and H.E. Mr. Jordan Parvanov Parvanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria

Members of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia: Mrs. Gordana Pokupec, First Secretary, Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Mrs. Romana Dvoráčková, and Josef Dvořáček, MBA, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Economic Department, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Zagreb

N AT I O NAL DAY O F C R OAT I A

From right: His Eminence Dominik Duka O.P., Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Prague and H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

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From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, members of the Paste Lace Association “Frane Budak” from the island Pag, Croatia and Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and H.E. Mrs. Gita Kalmet, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia

From left: Colonel Jean-Charles Peltier, Embassy of the French Republic and Colonel Mohammad Reza Pourbasirat, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mrs. Vesna Karavanić, lacemaker

Singers Mr. Branko Barbir and Mr. Dario Grašo, Klapa Sol, H.E. Mrs. Lijlana Pancirov, members of the Paste Lace Association “Frane Budak” from the island Pag, Croatia and Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché

From left: H.E. Mr. Berislav Vekić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, H.E. Mr. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mgr. Hayato Okamura, member of the Chamber of Deputies Parliament of the Czech Republic

NATIO NA L DAY O F CR OAT IA

From left: Bc. Martin Radkovič MBA, owner of the Vinařství Ritopeky, Břeclav; a member of the Croatian minority from southern Morava, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

From left: Mrs. Lidija Kovařík, Managing Director at Illusion Art Museum in Prague, Mrs. Natali Munitić, Croatian National Tourist Board – Prague Office, Mrs. Jana Krásná, Czech - Croatian Society, Mrs. Ivana Tichá, Czech Croatian Society, Mr. Luděk Hladiš, Aviareps agency

From left: Meshulam Zisso , H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, and Eva Anderová

From left: Ing. Josef Dvořáček, MBA, MinisterCounsellor, Head of Economic Department, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Zagreb, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, and Mrs. Ing. Romana Dvořáčková

From left: Zuzana Hubinková, Ph.D. and H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mr. Jan Bondy, Director of the Public Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, with his wife

We are the MINISTRY of VALUES and the FUTURE

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INTER VIE W WITH VÁCLAV VELČO V SKÝ, DEPUT Y MINISTER, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, AND SPOR TS

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

This is how the Czech Deputy Minister of Education Václav Velčovský, responsible for EU and international affairs, perceives his office, which he joined in 2015. And these are also the topics we have raised in this interview, focusing mainly on the Czech Republic´s presidency of the EU Council. What lies ahead of the ministry in this context? Is the role of a presiding country a solo or teamwork one? And will the war in Ukraine redefine our neighbourhood policy?

You have been with the ministry for seven years, long enough to observe its dynamics. Can you mention some changes you have witnessed?

In one of his texts, the prominent contemporary Czech theologian and philosopher Tomáš Halík develops the idea of “what is without trembling is not solid”. In the context of my ministry, such vibrations come in the form of different political assignments of various governments regarding educational and research policy. Whenever you propose a change, it will not take effect until a longer period afterwards, thus significantly exceeding the mandate of individual governments. But the fact that our office is actually the Ministry of the Future, and the Ministry of Values may stand out all the more. Since 2015, when I started work at the ministry, these values have not been jeopardised. On the contrary, in different contexts their importance is far more likely to be demonstrated.

What is the main agenda for the Czech EU Presidency with regards to your ministry?

Although the ministry does not have its own acquis communautaire, it has so-called ‘soft instruments’, which are often far more effective than the hard ones. In the field of research, our priorities are the large research infrastructures as the future of the European Research Area and the efficient use of various sources of research funding. Education will be about digital well-being and the paths to school success. In youth policy, we emphasize the highly updated issue of intergenerational solidarity, and in sports we focus on the sustainability of sports infrastructures and professional sporters as value-holders. The last-mentioned topic gets currently new dimension. I do not have to remind you that the presidential priorities are not and must not be national priorities. It would be a mistake to look at them this way. The country holding the presidency is a consensus facilitator, not a bulldozer of its own. It means that our task is to moderate and find a compromise. In this regard, our vicinity might be an added value.

How will the war in Ukraine affect the Czech EU presidency?

Presidential priorities always make up just one part of the whole Trio agenda. In our case, we are talking about the joint program of France, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. These programs are being negotiated up to two years in advance. On one hand, it is logical that they cannot be completely flexible, but at the same time it would be purely an alibi to avoid a fundamental issue such as the barbaric Russian aggression against Ukraine. I have already mentioned that education and research are ‘soft tools’. This allows member states to react to current developments flexibly and individually in an informal way. It is no secret that the Czech

Republic is very active in its approach to anti-Russian sanctions in these areas and support towards suffering Ukrainians, since the Russian or the Soviet aggression of 1968 is our living memento.

During the presidency, we want to offer a voice to member states during political debates. We consider this to be extremely important at this time – to be heard, have comparisons, and take action, although still within the ‘soft’ policy of particular member states.

What, in your opinion, will be the greatest achievement of the Czech EU presidency?

The greatest success will be if, with such a low budget set by the previous government, the presidency can be held with honour.

We can see the political scene changing, bringing along new neighbourhood challenges. How will that impact the future of the EU? The EU must strongly and undividedly react to the Russian aggression. There are sanctions against Russia, and, on the other hand, help for Ukraine. The first step is helping the refugees and providing material support to the Ukrainian army. We all hope that the war ends as soon as possible. Human losses are devastating.

The second phase must follow: redefining the neighbourhood policy with the aim to support Ukraine (if wanted) with a plan for state reconstruction. We never thought we would be directly or indirectly affected by war and by questioning the principles of human rights, democracy and rule of law. In this context, I am not talking about third countries only.

Do you think the EU is investing enough in the cultural education of the future generation so that it can cope with upcoming intercultural changes in Europe?

Two years ago, I was really enthusiastic about the proposal to almost double the Erasmus budget. It is an administratively simple (but at the same time maximally effective) tool that can affect all levels of education. I believe that internationalization is a prerequisite to a better understanding of ourselves, and Europe as a whole.

This goal attempts to be and already is, greater than the so-called employability in the labour market. Employability of whom? When?

Where? For what age, if we all know that the upskilling and reskilling in our lives will be necessary? You know, I‘m looking forward to the day when the concept of education will automatically include internationalization, and we will not have to explain to anyone why the understanding of the self is necessary for the understanding of ‘the other’, and that education does not end with the borders of the Czech Republic, but actually begins there.

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CO NTRIB UTOR S

ALL you need is LOVE and BUTTER Text: Veronika Vávrová; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Kus Koláče Archive

If you walk along Korunní street, close to Perunova tram station in Prague Vinohrady, and see a long queue of people, sometimes reaching as far as the corner of the next street, you don´t have to wonder what is going on anymore. The people are waiting to buy a fresh ‘koláček’, the best in Prague, made with a lot of love and butter… Welcome to the mouth-watering world of Veronika Vávrová and her Kus Koláče bakery, where the work of skilful hands marries traditional reimagined recipes to give birth to A Piece of Cake.

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Veronika Vávrová, is co-owner of Kus Koláče bakery at Korunní 90, Praha - Vinohrady @kuskolace

Do you want to know WHAT HAPPENED in the last 20 years?

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CONTRIBUTORS

TOUCHING THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE CZECH FAMILY Baking has always been a significant part of my life. I would say that it is mainly because of my origin and culture. When you are born in the Czech Republic or Slovakia, baking is a type of generational activity that is part of your upbringing. I was no exception - I started to bake with my grandma and mom. I cannot imagine Christmas without baking our family recipes and sharing baked goods among family members, friends, and neighbours. The very first thing I baked was a simple gingerbread cookie. I will always remember its smell, my sticky fingers covered in dough, the taste, and the overall atmosphere, which I can feel even at this moment when I close my eyes.

Baking is my Zen and always has been. It has a magical power to transport yourself through memories and satisfy

your heart and soul at the same time. I believe it is very important to remember our traditions, origins, and roots, because I have been noticing the lack of history in our generation in the nowadays “hipster” era. Baking and the tradition of sweets as a meal were indeed unique in former Czechoslovakia. I cannot think of any other culture that would eat sweet meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Rich kolaches, sweet dumplings, yeasts poppy seed buns, and tvaroh noodles with butter are just a couple of examples of our amazing cultural treasures.

Before opening our bakery, I felt that all the traditional baked goods tasted the same, nothing tasted inspired, and it was very difficult to find a Czechoslovak product where you would taste love infused into the pastry. And while I was baking just for fun for my friends and family, I started to realize that this could be a path I could take and improve upon and bring back to our generation - so you could not only remember your holidays with grandma baking bundt cakes, but you could also actually eat a pastry from Kus Koláče and relive at least a glimpse of that moment again.

MAKING CUSTOMERS A COMMUNITY Our bakery started out as a small production – as a supplier of baked goods to different cafés in Prague. Our offer was simple but honest. Ever since we started, we have been using the most basic and natural ingredients of the highest quality. Traditional kolaches, buns, pies, strudels filled with poppy seeds, tvaroh, walnuts, local fruit and jams – simple recipes but reimagined, not only through our passion for baking but with care for every single ingredient chosen.

We wanted to become a small neighbourhood bakery where we would establish a little extra besides the standard business-customer relationship. We were hoping to bring a piece of cake that would also connect our lives.

Nearly two years have passed since our opening, and we could not ask for a better start. It is amazing to see that a small traditional local bakery can really make a difference in the current modern era and in someone’s daily life. If you take the best of yourself and the best of quality ingredients available and put them into the product you offer, you can be sure that you will create a meaningful business that will succeed.

I love what I do and so does every member of our amazing team. We truly believe that you can taste not only honest ingredients, such as simple butter, but also our love and passion for what we create. We are so thankful that we have managed to establish a shop where customers become a community and happiness is shared through freshly baked buttery kolaches.

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IN TER VI E W W I TH DAV I D PÁT E K , F O U N D E R A N D CEO, NEECO

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INTER VIE W W ITH DAVID PÁTEK , FO UND ER A ND CEO, N E E CO

Welcome to the CROSSROAD of large market transformations Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“I can easily say that the changes I have experienced over the last two years are by far the most significant since the very beginning of Neeco’s establishment,” says David Pátek, founder and CEO of Neeco, the global ICT services company operating in more than 160 countries worldwide.

In this interview, he suggests the only approach that leads to success in turbulent times, reveals his love for the beautiful nature of traditional entrepreneurship and describes the multinational turn-key solutions Neeco offers its customers.

Everything seasoned with a glimpse into some of his adventures outside the ICT business.

David, you have built today´s world-leading Neeco from the ground up, with no support from investors or financial partners. Can you tell us a bit about you and your company?

I founded Neeco 15 years ago in Prague and our headquarters is still located here today. The difference is that now we are a well-established brand serving many high-profile, international telecommunications organizations and their end customers.

What remains the same is the fact that Neeco is 100% privately owned. We have never used third party capital, and I do not have any intention to change that. Let me say that I am proud to state this, as compared to current market standards where the majority of new companies are massively funded by cheap money of wealthy investors, which - at least from my perspective - is damaging many important aspects and the beautiful nature of traditional entrepreneurship.

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differences on both the customers’ and employee sides. All these aspects result in a relatively high-complex environment where the ability to decide quickly and correctly is the key element to secure future success. No matter how large or stable the organization may be, wrong decisions on important crossroads can always lead to significant issues that can take years to get sorted out, especially in such dynamic markets as IT and telecommunications are.

On the other hand, even small and new organizations have a good chance to grow quickly during actual periods of large market transformations.

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To put Neeco into context, can you briefly describe what you do for your clients?

To sum it up, we focus on large, multinational projects that we supply as turn-key solutions, managing the whole process of sale and delivery of required telecom equipment to designated locations, its installations, and critical infrastructure maintenance. In other words, we present a trusted single point of contact where customers can get more or less of any product or service, they need to make the most of their IT, at any place around the globe. We support IT networks of around 1,400 end customers spread over the whole portfolio of major industry segments, including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, media and entertainment, banking, and governmental and public sector organizations.

The market went through significant changes over the past years, how do you see the telecommunications business after the pandemic?

Well, after more than a decade, I can easily say that the changes I have experienced over the last two years are by far the most significant since the very beginning of Neeco’s establishment. That includes market shifts, such as acceleration of new technologies and changes in customer demands, as well as necessary internal organization transformations supporting changed employee behaviour and their new work preferences. Since we are a global organization, we also need to keep recognizing regional

As a result, do you consider the current situation in the telecom market as an opportunity or rather a challenge for you, as CEO of Neeco?

Described trends present significant challenges for existing IT organizations that need to transform fast and adopt necessary capabilities. At the same time, I believe that it creates a great opportunity for young and smaller companies to grow organically, as they can have the necessary capabilities built already into their DNA. While no one can predict how the industry will change in the decades to come, it is clear that the next five years will be transformative for telecommunications. Companies that will be quick to embrace those changes and adapt their strategies accordingly will come out as winners, while those that will be more reserved to take any action will lose their competitive advantage and will eventually be driven out of the market. From the standpoint of Neeco, I welcome such market changes. In a stable world, it`s rather difficult to break into the existing relationships, as there is no need to replace current partnerships and strategies. With market shifts and new challenges, new possibilities open up for agile organizations. At this moment, we see more opportunities than ever, as a direct result of new demands of clients that cannot be answered by incumbent suppliers and legacy ICT organizations.

Now, a very sad question, indeed. How does the war in Ukraine affect your company and ICT in general?

Neeco has not been significantly affected by the war, as we do not serve Russian customers, we only service international clients within the Russian territory. We fully support the decisions of the European Union and its allies, and we have promptly implemented all measures imposed. Within this framework, we continue to support our international clients, including their IT networks across Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. However, we have suspended all new projects that are physically arranged within the regions given.

In general, I believe that the impacts on most global telecom companies today, are not so eminent. There may be some effects that potentially influence IT procurement strategies, such as specific IT vendors’ decision to suspend deliveries in and out of Russia (for example Ericsson) and sanctions raised against Russia. Overall, only time will show how much will international organizations invest into the IT networks of their Russian affiliates in the future. I cannot foresee any fast recoveries of IT demands across Russia after this unfortunate aggression of Russia.

You are a naturally born entrepreneur, so to say. You have been involved in more than 20 different companies and projects, always thinking about possible innovations. What are you working on right now?

On a Neeco ICT level, we are constantly innovating the way we provide services to our clients. One of the key primary areas of our current focus is the digital transformation of the supply chain. Recent shifts have made global equipment supplies extremely challenging, causing significant administrative costs, and communication overheads.

We are working on several upgrades of our internal digital ecosystem, so we can continue offering great procurement visibility, predictability, cost-efficiency, securing short IT equipment lead times, and seamless coordination of global projects for our clients.

One example of a new project recently being launched outside of the IT business is Neano Resort Bali, an extensive holiday destination that includes luxury accommodation, restaurants, wellness, and other enjoyable facilities.

This new stage of the development comprises beautiful, modern investment vacation villas built at a prime coastal location in Eastern Bali. Neano Cliff Villas are spread across three hectares of picturesque cliffs with private restaurants, fitness, helipad, and beach access.

There is no doubt that business makes a big part of your life. However, I believe you appreciate enjoying other life pleasures, too.

Outside of work, I do enjoy sports, travelling, driving, and simply getting the most out of life. Personally, my favourite time of the year is winter when nature is painted with snow, and I can take advantage of the white magical paradise by hitting the slopes for skiing.

Apart from these traits, I am a big advocate when it comes to overall general well-being. My standard daily routine is relatively strict and involves physical activities such as working out, running, and doing yoga. During the last two years, I began to regularly perform cold bathing, which has continued working well for me. In addition to all this, I have just recently incorporated Pranayama breathing exercises into my daily practices. The effects of mindful breathwork had come as a great surprise for me as I had never considered such activity as something that could create so many significant benefits for the body and mind.

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TOP 3 TRENDING AREAS IN POST COVID YEARS from the perspective of serving telecoms and IT demands globally 1. SD-WAN Solutions SD-WAN stands for Software-Defined Wide Area Network and is currently one of the biggest trends in the enterprise IT segment. SD-WAN in a nutshell, is a WAN version of software-defined networking, a modern technology that decouples the management (‘control plane’) and data transmission (‘data plane’). As a result, IT networks can be configured and managed from central locations, leaving the edge devices performing better, simpler, and cost-efficiently.

The demand for SD-WAN is also creating a push as organizations have a huge reliance on the work-from-home initiative, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its consequences. To facilitate remote working, organizations are looking for new networking solutions for better agility, higher capacity, and lower costs. While telecom players face the daunting task of scaling their networks to unimaginable sizes, SD-WAN comes off as a promising solution.

Currently, the SD-WAN market is expected to grow from an actual USD 1.9 billion in 2020 to USD 8.4 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 30% every year, which represents a significant opportunity for not only the SD-WAN technology vendors but also for telecoms and system integrators that are able to incorporate SD-WAN as a service to their product portfolio.

2. Managed Services Another huge trend today is Managed Services, also known at IT as a Service. As businesses rebuild in 2021, transformation and the ability to think differently are critical, and managed services are one of the leading initiatives to facilitate that.

Managed services allow companies to source ICT equipment and solutions in a more modern and effective way compared to the traditional methods of owning and paying for the services. Instead, it allows utilizing of products in the form of services, while leaving the ownership to the 3rd party companies.

The primary benefits of managed services are the flexibility and cost benefits allowing you to choose the timetable of payments that will best suit your needs. Knowing exactly what your company will pay for IT monthly, can easily and accurately forecast your company’s annual IT spending. Moreover, it also reduces the administrative overhead and risks associated with the ownership of the equipment.

With this inline, Neeco has benefited clients for years and has become one of the top global ICT service providers offering clients managed services contracts. The number of requests from our clients to learn more about our managed services offering has been rapidly increasing in the past years, and a large number of them have switched to this model to reap its varied benefits – from the increased efficiency and the cut costs to the simplified and more secure day-to-day, IT processes. The global pandemic only accelerated this shift, and some studies show that more than 38% of businesses outsourced at least half of their IT needs to managed service

providers in 2021, a jump from 25% in 2020. Managed services share currently around 60% of Neeco’s overall revenues, and we expect it to reach 80% in the next 5 years.

3. Future-Ready Global IT Procurement Solutions Last but not least, we see tremendous pressure on global organizations to create truly modern procurement solutions to overcome many of the significant operational and logistical challenges resulting from the pandemic, that minimize disruptions to standard IT commodity flows, and effectively manage the identified risks.

One of the key elements is to correctly structure local, regional, continental, and transcontinental sourcing as different types of global procurement solutions. Crucial to that is full supply chain visibility. That includes both digitization and better supply chain management that enable strategic collaboration, agility, and support for a variety of sales, distribution and supply channels across daily operations. As businesses are still working through pandemic levels, the growing uncertainty, complexity, and customer demands call for stronger supply chain architecture that empowers businesses to deliver real-time, reliable, cost-efficient, and more effective procurement visibility through pricing, planning, and execution.

Another crucial element is smart inventory management. It enables to organize, manage, and control stock and its levels, minimizing the cost of holding the inventory while getting products into customers’ hands faster. At Neeco, we facilitate presumed rapid stock centres where we maintain adequate inventory levels, to avoid supply risks and make sure to deliver our services to the clients on time. Leveraging local and regional distribution centres to manage the demand helps to maintain the necessary infrastructure within the country to store, control and distribute products to customers without unnecessary delays.

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INTER VI E W W I T H LU K Á Š D O LA N S K Ý, E U CO R R E S P O ND ENT AT ČES K Á TEL E VIZE

TIMES are even BUSIER than we expected Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

You might know him from the screen. Lukáš Dolanský came to Česká televize, a public television broadcaster in the Czech Republic, in 2010 for the position of political correspondent. This was followed by becoming head of the domestic news desk, presenter of the Hydepark and Události komentáře programs, and, at the moment, Brussels correspondent. After almost five years of reporting from the EU capital, he is able to look back and say: “I knew it would be a busy time.

But no one could imagine how much.” Have his feelings about a dream job changed with growing experience? Is reporting from Brussels adventurous? And what will the future bring?

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I N T E R V I E W W ITH LUK Á Š D O L A NS K Ý, EU CO RRES P O ND ENT AT ČES K Á TELE VIZE

What led you to become a journalist and reporter?

Was that your love of asking questions?

It was curiosity that made me what I am. The first time I had a chance to write an article for a newspaper, I was sixteen.

And I was amazed then. Thirty years later, the feeling is still the same. That feeling of gathering information, putting it all together with pictures into a story – and presenting it to the public. I started as a newspaper journalist.

Only after ten years of writing for MF Dnes and Lidové noviny, I switched to “visual news”. Now, I am lucky to be working for Česká televize and I still like to discover important issues around myself; I like to gather all the news - and I love to explain it to people watching TV. As a TV journalist, you have the chance to see many things and talk to many people. How does it work in Brussels and elsewhere?

The truth is that being a Brussels correspondent is not as adventurous as the work of some of my colleagues.

However, apart from conducting interviews with many Brussels politicians, such as the presidents of the European Commission and European Parliament or secretary general of NATO, I also had the chance to report on many everyday stories. So, I really enjoyed filming the story about the creator of Belgium’s best pralines. Or a producer of Netherlands´ oysters. Or, I really loved filming a few precious moments in the winter, when all the channels in the Netherlands froze and all the Dutch started to skate on them.

Before I started work as a Brussels correspondent, I was mainly dealing with the Czech political scene. In more than twenty years of reporting, I covered quite a few general elections, presidential elections, and many political breakdowns, as well as dozens of political scandals. And looking back – some of them were quite strange.

You have been reporting about the EU for almost five years. Can you share your impressions and highlights from that time?

Living in Brussels is different. In my life, I had a chance to live in different cities, including Prague, Munich, London, Philadelphia, and Dortmund. Brussels is nothing to be compared to. I did not get used to the city yet. But I was told, it takes time. So maybe, one day…

Before I arrived here, I knew it would be a busy time. But no one could imagine how much. First, we had European Parliament elections and fear of the nationalists rising. Then, Brexit followed, and its never-ending talks about a divorce agreement. The next thing was Covid, and a very important role of Brussels in that matter. And now – the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Before the war in Ukraine, the EU was very divided, has that changed now?

All EU countries finally realized what some of them were pointing out for a long time before. The Russian invasion of Ukraine just proved it. Yes, sadly enough, Putin made the EU great, and united, again. Maybe even more united than ever before. I hope that the EU has learnt its lessons from Covid as well as the current crisis with Russia. That all the “exit” ideas are gone now. However, I feel that more economic turbulences are still lying ahead.

This issue is dedicated to the EU Council presidency of the Czech Republic, which starts on 1 July 2022.

What are you expecting from this time?

It will be a very important moment for the Czech Republic.

As I see it, the country holding the rotating presidency can present itself in a greater way. The country’s leaders can be seen in the Brussels spotlight and Czechia should use this opportunity. The presidency of the Czech Republic will also come during the very important times of the Russian war in Ukraine - from my perspective, this will be the dominating issue, and the role of the Czech Republic will be important not only because of the presidency but also because of its own closeness to Ukraine.

The news is you are going to change your destination soon. Where would that be?

After almost five years in Brussels, I have gotten an offer to move as a correspondent to London. I was really delighted by this opportunity, and now I am very excited. UK after Brexit is, in my eyes, a very interesting place to be reporting from. Besides my work, I am an urban cyclist, a strong coffee lover, and a father of three. So, as you can imagine, there is not much free time left. However, I love to travel and explore, not only workwise, but also with my family.

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ZNÁMÍ NEZNÁMÍ – Known Unknown Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The premiere of the Slovak-Czech co-production feature film by director Zuzana Marianková and producer Wanda Adamík Hrycová took place at Cinema City, Slovanský dům, a few weeks ago.

My Czech is bad, and I was afraid I wouldn’t understand the movie, mentally preparing myself to play on my phone, but I didn’t have time for that. In reality, it was so well done that I was laughing for almost the entire duration of the film – time flies when you’re having fun.

If you missed it at the cinema - don’t worry!

It will be broadcast on TV Nova.

Wanda Adamík Hrycová

CZECH & S LO VAK FILM

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Directed by: Zuzana Marianková Screenplay: Petr Jarchovský, Paolo Genovese and Paolo Costella (original screenplay) Camera: Peter Bencsík Music: Slavo Solovic Starring: Táňa Pauhofová, Klára Issová, Martin Hofmann, Tomáš Měcháček, Tomáš Maštalír, Petra Polnišová, Anna Kadeřávková, Sväťo Malachovský

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. JUAN FRANCISCO FACE T T I, AMBASSADOR OF PARAGUAY

I seek the points of COMMON INTEREST 79 Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Among all the ambassadors featured in this issue, the Ambassador of Paraguay, Juan Francisco Facetti, is the only one based not in Prague but in Vienna. However, he does also express the same admiration for our capital city of Prague, in his case accompanied by the same admiration towards the contribution of Czech researchers to science. He is a former Paraguayan minister of environment, and in Vienna he also serves as a permanent representative of Paraguay to the United Nations and other international organisations. Like many other educated and experienced personalities, he is quite modest to say: “I am no one to give any advice or counsel. I can only show our good and bad experiences.”

You are based in Vienna. Do you remember your first visit to the Czech Republic, and the impression you got from it?

I first visited Prague as a tourist in 2014. My wife and I came with a couple of friends to see the city and we fell in love with its life, history, and culture. In addition, for many years I had already known about and admired the contribution of Czech researchers to science, particularly organic chemistry with Loschmidt, biochemistry of carbohydrates with the Cori husband and wife team who won the Nobel in 1947, and analytical chemistry with Heyrovský, who developed an instrument that allowed us to detect adulterations in food.

To change the subject a bit, my first hunting gun was a CZ Brno bolt rifle, which I still have to this day because of its reliability and accuracy. I have always followed the techno-

logical development of defence production in the Czech Republic, and I admire how it remains on the frontier of innovation.

What was your path to becoming an ambassador and has it influenced your priorities?

What allowed me to develop skills in this matter was the combination of my education in environmental chemistry, being a researcher in this field, and having experience in foreign affairs - science diplomacy in particular. Of course, the communion with the vision of the government regarding multilateral issues dealt with from Vienna, alongside the bilateral agenda to be promoted with the concurrent countries (also from Vienna) is necessary.

There are areas that require more effort than others, however. I have given high priority to the promotion and development of bilateral relations in terms of

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MR. JUAN FRANCISCO FACE T T I, AMBASSADOR OF PARAGUAY

strengthening ties between public and private research and innovation institutions, as well as the academy. It is something very natural for me and I can see, thanks to the experience I have had working with European universities, what the points of common interest are between European and Paraguayan universities in terms of mobility of scholars, researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students.

Which step of your career do you perceive as being the most adventurous?

For me, the greatest and best adventure in life is to pursue personal and professional achievements. In that sense, I have had several very positive and enriching adventures or experiences in each country I have lived and worked in. In Belgium, consolidating my marriage, since I arrived there to do my postgraduate studies having just gotten married to my wife. In Paraguay, developing laws, tools, and institutions that made it possible to stop the deforestation of the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest and conducting research on environmental pollutants that affect aquifers, which enabled us to ban their use.

In El Salvador, living so comfortably among people who have such a great love for God and family. In Haiti, meeting very humble people with a deep love for themselves, with a very rich culture. In Ecuador, discovering a country so rich in culture and biodiversity - the same can be said of Bolivia.

Should I point out the single weirdest thing I have ever experienced, it would be the human mind. It is a challenge to understand the positions and interests of rulers and negotiators of states in order to, from there, take the necessary steps to favour decision-making and also defend the interests of my country.

How would you describe the status of Czech – Paraguay relations?

The diplomatic ties between the Czech Republic and Paraguay date back to 1936, when the Central-Eastern European country was still known as Czechoslovakia. Since 1991, and with the signing of a joint communiqué, Paraguay and the Czech Republic have been deepening their relations and expanding cooperation in all areas such as commerce, culture, education, sciences, sports, and tourism.

Since 2016, our countries have been working on further consolidating our commercial and cooperation ties. There is huge interest in accessing unexplored areas of each country‘s markets and becoming stronger partners in the existing ones. In this regard, Paraguay‘s policies have been evolving to facilitate foreign investment, which has sparked the interest of Czech companies.

We are also working on expanding cooperation with the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding in order to allow scientific and technical cooperation, as well as educational and professional exchanges, between renowned Czech and Paraguayan institutions.

You are a former minister of environment and an expert on environmental issues. What advice would you give the Czech Republic in this regard?

I am really sorry, but I am no one to give any advice or counsel (on this topic). I can only show our good and bad experiences and lessons learned on several issues, related in particular to our wealth, which is linked to the four pillars of competitiveness. In this matter, Paraguay has three pillars of abundance: rich natural resources, clean energy, and an ideal climate for agricultural production and cattle raising. The fourth pillar is having social capital that will allow us to develop knowledge, while maintaining and exercising principles, values, and ethics. From this emerges the importance of the Czech Republic’s model of education and productivity.

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You are also the author of the Paraguay national nuclear law, and between 2012 and 2013 were the National Defence Council’s director general for science and technology. Do you see any hazards in this area due to the war in Ukraine?

Of course, we are living in challenging times. Paraguay has expressed its concern regarding the serious risk posed by the lack of control over nuclear and radioactive materials from the Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl nuclear power plants by the Ukrainian regulatory authorities. My country has advocated, and will continue doing so, for the peaceful resolution of the crisis and for the involved parties to choose the path of diplomacy, following the current internationally recognized mechanisms. In the multilateral fora, Paraguay co-sponsored the UNGA Resolutions ES-11/1 and ES-11/2, and has also supported the resolution regarding the suspension of the Russian Federation from the Human Rights Council.

This interview was done on the occasion of Paraguay’s National Day. What would you wish your country? And for the Czech Republic?

My wish for both countries is that we continue with the same resolve to build, safeguard, and develop our countries in the spirit of the sanctity of human dignity and freedom. I wish that we remain free societies enjoying equal rights, and that we remain conscious of our duties towards each other and our responsibility towards the community and future generations, based on respect for human rights and the principles of civility.

INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. EDITA HRDÁ, AMBASSADOR, PER MA NENT REP RE S E N TAT I V E O F T H E C Z E C H R E P UBL IC TO THE EU

We are the LARGEST CZECH EMBASSY in the world

Text: Martina Hošková and Eva Anderová; Photo: Archive

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Edita Hrdá joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in 1992 and the list of her work experience is impressive. Since 2020, she has served as the permanent representative of the Czech Republic to the EU and the COREPER II Committee. She speaks English, German, Spanish, French, Russian... and of course her Czech mother tongue. With about 2,000 formal working meetings already taking place during each six-month period, the Czech Representation´s workload is increasing even further due to the upcoming EU presidency. Does she think the size of her staff is enough to handle the job? What events can we expect in connection with the presidency? And which famous Woody Allen quote did our question bring to mind for her?

Do you consider having a staff consisting of 250 people to be sufficient enough to fulfil the mission of the Permanent Representation to the EU? Since taking office, I have often been asked whether we are spending too much or too little on our presidency.

My answer has always been the same: I á priori reject this approach. There have been presidencies in the past that, despite having large budgets, have achieved little; likewise, presidencies of some smaller countries are remembered with reverence.

When you ask whether a staff of 250 is too big or too small, it is important to note that France, who is currently presiding, is working with at least double that amount of staff. However, Sweden, who will be taking over the presidency next January, intends to employ the same number of staff as us.

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INTER VIE W WITH H.E. MRS. EDITA HRDÁ, AMBASSADOR, P ERMA NENT REP RES ENTATIVE O F THE CZECH REP UBL IC TO T H E E U

In my opinion, the most important thing to understand is that the key topics of the last few presidencies did not come about as the result of long preparations; instead, they were dictated by the times and the prevailing situation. The countries holding the presidency needed to react to them, and no doubt a similar situation awaits us too.

I am confident that not only our diplomats, but also the European sections of our ministries, are well prepared to face up to this challenge.

of the trio coordinate their teams, define a common agenda and priorities, and present a joint document known as the trio programme. More regular consultations take place during each of the three presidencies, both between the permanent representations in Brussels and at the capitals level. As I said, the trio programme is based mainly on common priorities set by the three member states, but also on current legislative files, the negotiation of which is gradually handed over from one presidency to another.

Can you tell us more about the organizational structure of the Czech Permanent Representation?

The Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in Brussels is by far the largest Czech embassy in the world. I have no fewer than three deputies who hold the rank of ambassador, which in itself indicates the importance of their agendas.

In fact, some of the topics covered by the Permanent Representation are so specialised and technical that all we must know is how to rely on the specialised guidance we receive from our experts in Brussels and expert teams in Prague.

The internal organisation of the Permanent Representation reflects the way work is organised in the Council of the EU. Our team is divided into departments, corresponding to the individual Council formations, and into working teams based on crosscutting topics. We also have a team for the logistical coordination of the presidency, and our organisational and technical support team (i.e. our „rear guard“), which plays an important role.

As the Head of Mission in the EU, you represent the Czech Republic at the COREPER II. What are your responsibilities in this role?

My main task as Head of Mission is to coordinate the work in the Permanent Representation, in close cooperation with not only the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other individual ministries in Prague, but also with the European Commission, the General Secretariat of the Council, the European Parliament, and other institutions. Communication and cooperation with the ambassadors of other member states is also a key feature of the role, not to mention cooperation with the embassies of non-EU countries. As you point out, an important aspect of my role is representing the Czech Republic at COREPER II meetings. The main aim of these meetings is to prepare the work of the Council in areas such as justice and home affairs, economics, and finance.

As chair of COREPER II during the Czech presidency, my role will be to foster consensus among the 27 member states on key legislative files and to seek unity on critical current events (such as the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s aggression), as well as to coordinate the preparation of European Council meetings. However, let us not forget that COREPER meetings are just the tip of the iceberg – as ambassador, I represent a dedicated team of people who invest a huge amount of time, effort, and expertise to prepare files and keep the work of the Council on track.

The embassy may give auspices to some of the special events that will take place during the Czech presidency. Can you mention a few?

The Permanent Representation will organise and co-organise a range of cultural and social events and workshops in Brussels to raise the profile of our presidency. We are working closely with the Czech Centre, the Prague House, Czech regional representation offices, and the European Parliament on these activities.

Examples of upcoming events include the Emil Zátopek Run in July, accompanied by the Zátopek film screening; concerts in September, October and December featuring leading Czech orchestras and musicians; Václav Havel‘s Dialogues; a number of photography exhibitions; a conference on anti-Semitism; and a seminar on mediation. In addition to these activities, we will also lend our support to several events linked to our presidential priorities, which will be organised by Brussels-based think tanks and the EU institutions. The final programme will be available by early June.

How does the model of the “trio” of the rotating presidencies work?

The aim of the “presidency trio” is to maintain continuity between the various rotating presidencies. Prior to the start of the first member’s presidency, the three members

What do you believe will be the biggest Czech EU Presidency achievement, and have you set your own personal goals with regard to it?

This reminds me of Woody Allen’s famous quote: If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.

At the moment, we do not yet know what we will be dealing with in July, and what October will bring us. Next January, I will be more than satisfied if Brussels and the capitals of the Member States say that the Czech Republic has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism in its presidency of the Council. I hope they will say that not only did we react effectively to unforeseen events and emergencies, but that we also managed to get the ball rolling again on key issues that, due to COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, had either slowed to a crawl or stalled completely over the last two years. I would also be happy if the presidency was perceived as one that fostered European unity and did not create any divisions.

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INTER VIE W WITH RADK A WILDO VÁ, DEPUT Y MINISTER OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, AND SPOR TS

The CZECH EU PRESIDENCY is clearly the TOP-CLASS PRIORITY Text: Martina Hošková and Eva Anderová; Photo: Archive

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Radka Wildová is one of the top 5 executives at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. In the position of deputy minister, she is responsible for the higher education and research division.

She is also a former vice rector of Charles University. In this issue, we are talking to persons in positions of authority about topics related to the Czech EU presidency, in connection to their area of expertise. In the case of Mrs. Wildová, she speaks of the key challenges they are facing in this regard at the ministry. What is the final stage of the presidency preparations focusing on? How will the Bologna process of the previous French presidency develop under our leadership?

And will the Czech Republic host many research events during our presidency?

INTER VIE W WITH RADK A WILDO VÁ, DEPUT Y MINISTER OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, AND SPOR TS

Mrs. Deputy Minister, a few months ago you changed your former academic career for that of the public sector. What are the main challenges you are facing in your current position right now, and what challenges are you expecting in the near future?

To start with the key challenges we’re facing right now, let me mention the final stage of the preparations for the Czech presidency over the EU Council, which will be held in the second half of 2022. We’re already drafting the official documents to be adopted by the EU research ministers, as well as arranging all the necessary steps to secure a smooth organization of the events which shall take place in Czechia. The Czech EU Council presidency is clearly the top-class priority, given the circumstances at the European level. Anyway, there are also other challenges of the utmost importance, which we’re addressing at the Czech national level. For instance, we must set up a new multiannual financial framework for large Czech research infrastructures, start the implementation of the new Operational Program Johannes Amos Comenius, or initiate public funding of the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility) projects in the areas of science and research, which are already in the pipeline.

Another important task is completing the process of adopting the Amendment of the Higher Education Law, which includes a crucial reform of doctoral studies. The aim of this reform is to focus more on individual students and their creative work. We feel the need for a more effective system for third-grade studies because, in comparison to other countries, we have a relatively high rate of failure. It means that this reform should develop study conditions both for students and universities, thanks to fewer students with higher scholarships and space for personal development and better international cooperation.

Given your agenda at the ministry, which priorities of the Bologna Process of the previous French presidency will be followed and emphasized by the Czech presidency?

The agenda of the Bologna process is elaborated and settled in close dialogue within both the Board of BFUG and the European Commission. During the French presidency, several strategic documents have been prepared and adopted in the field of higher education – The Commission Communication on a European strategy for universities, and the Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability.

Implementation of the Bologna process is also secured by the thematic and working groups on teaching and learning, fundamental values, or social dimensions. The development of these working groups will be presented during the Czech EU Council presidency.

We expect that the Czech Presidency will mainly be focused on the topic of micro credentials. Micro credentials bring together focusing on lifelong learning, including re-skilling, up-skilling, and new (and flexible) forms of studies. Topics like

international mobility and cooperation are tightly connected, alongside the automatic recognition of prior learning, especially within the European University Alliances. However, besides these thematic points, there is no doubt that the European community in higher education should be deeply involved in activities supporting Ukrainian students, academic and research staff, and HEIs. During the Czech presidency, the minister of education, as well as other Czech delegates, will chair various bodies. Can you mention some of them?

In the field of research, the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports is supposed to chair the research configuration of the EU Competitiveness Council. Given that, the Czech delegates shall also chair its preparatory platforms, such as RWG (Research Working Group of the EU Council). Regarding other expert forums for the European Research Area policymaking, such as ERAC (European Research Area and Innovation Committee) or ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures), per se, they’re not chaired by the presiding country, but by elective representatives. Anyway, one way or the other, Czech delegates will belong among essential stakeholders, that’s for sure.

How many EU presidency-related events will be hosted in the Czech Republic in connection with the agenda of your ministry?

EU Presidency-related events in the field of higher education and research will be hosted by Prague and Brno. These cities are perfectly settled in two different parts of the country (Bohemia and Moravia), which offer our visitors the chance to visit a wider part of the Czech Republic.

When it comes to the research agenda, the list of events to be held in Czechia is rather long. To highlight just the essential ones, Prague shall be hosting both the informal meeting of the EU research ministers and the flagship presidency Conference on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe, both in July. In September, Prague and South Bohemia will host the ERAC (European Research Area and Innovation Committee) and RWG (Research Working Group of the EU Council) delegates. In October, the ICRI (International Conference on Research Infrastructures) 2022 edition and the ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures) Forum plenary will be hosted in Brno. It goes without saying that the complete list of events chaired by Czechia will be much longer.

On the agenda of higher education, there will be three events in particular – the Meeting of the Directors-General for Higher Education (DG HE), the Bologna Follow-Up Group Meeting (BFUG), and the International Conference on Strategy and Policy in Higher Education (CZEDUCON). All of these will take place in November 2022 (Brno will host the BFUG Meeting on 7th-8th November, and Prague will host CZEDUCON on 21st-22nd November, followed by DG HE on 23rd-24th November).

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IN TER VI E W W I T H R A D E K Š P I C A R, V I C E P R E S I D E NT O F THE CZECH CO NFED ERATIO N O F IND US TRY

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With our current POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, the Czech Republic is in a GOOD POSITION Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Czech Confederation of Industry, an umbrella group for over 11,000 members, is an influential employer´s organisation in the country. It speaks for companies and associations, voicing their interests on the domestic and international levels, with the goal of achieving optimal conditions for their business development. Radek Špicar was elected as its vice president in 2012 and as the vice president of BusinessEurope, the Confederation of European Business, in January this year. What is the main objective he set for himself? What does he see the Czech presidency bringing along? And what are the priorities of the Czech Confederation of Industry for the presidency?

Your work experience comes from the government, the non-profit sector, as well as the business world.

What are the main goals and aims for your activities?

Although very ambitious, my main goal is to contribute to an economic transformation that the Czech economy needs to go through. We need to get rid of a cheap supply-oriented economy in order to remain globally competitive and catch up with other advanced economies.

The economic model of the first transformation, which started after the Velvet Revolution in 1989, has been exhausted.

That phase was based on the openness of the country and on a massive inflow of foreign capital. Cheap labour and our geographical position in Europe were core to its success.

The only thing that we still have now is the geographical position, but that’s about it.

That is why it is time for a second economic transformation, whose aim should be to catch up with the West, with the most competitive and successful economies in Europe, such as Germany’s. We should support the creation and development of Czech companies that are final producers, with strong internationally recognised brands, because that is where the highest added value is being created.

What, in your opinion, is the main agenda for the upcoming Czech EU presidency?

The unprecedented challenges posed recently by the COVID-19 pandemic, and newly by the persisting unlawful Russian military aggression against a direct neighbour of the EU, are causing a high level of uncertainty these days.

Despite the EU’s starting point, its strong labour market, and somewhat easing headwinds related to the COVID restrictions and supply chain bottlenecks; risks of inflation, price pressure, and negative confidence impacts remain very high.

While the official Czech political priorities will be announced in the middle of June, it is expected that the second half of this year will be focused on efforts to strengthen Europe’s ability to act globally to defend European interests and live up to its responsibility in the world. With our current political leadership, I am confident that the Czech Republic is in a good position to take on an active role within and outside the EU. What are the priorities of the Confederation of Industry for the Czech presidency?

First of all, we find it crucial to not allow the current adverse situation to rewind the tape of what we have already achieved in the EU. However, it seems more than necessary to rethink our goals and strategies in terms of their clarity, feasibility and loyalty to the European grassroots and its founding principles.

Thus, in Czech business priorities for the second half of 2022, you will find an emphasis on competitiveness, progrowth and resilience measures, openness, cooperation, and increased flexibility. Peace, legal certainty, and protection of fundamental human rights are essential prerequisites of life in Europe. We see all of these factors as crucial for the successful economic and social recovery of Europe, and for becoming even stronger in the future.

One concrete example. One of our priorities is called “a resilient and open Europe”. A critical prerequisite for this is to support ambitious EU trade policy and effective multilateralism. To get there, we need to promote strategic partnerships emphasising transatlantic cooperation. It is necessary to focus, among others, on securing safe international data transmission and collaboration in advanced modern technology.

Not only are you a vice president of the Czech Confederation of Industry, but you were also elected vice president of BusinessEurope, the second Czech in 28 years. How will you use this opportunity?

My position in BusinessEurope’s leadership allows me to ensure that its policies sufficiently emphasise the

interests of Czech companies and the Czech economy as a whole. The Confederation of Industry has been a BusinessEurope member for almost three decades.

We have always done our best to help promote and further develop the active European way of life and its freedoms, and advocate for growth and competitiveness.

I also want to bring my experience from BusinessEurope into the Czech environment. We can ourselves be inspired by BusinessEurope’s views on numerous topics, which reflect the often-diverse opinions of all of its 40 members. The Czech government is now in a similar position as it must use the forthcoming presidency, among other things, to clearly formulate its positions, seek support for them from across the EU, and, with the help of opinion partners, find compromises acceptable to the entire EU block.

Will the Czech presidency over the EU Council positively influence your position in BusinessEurope?

Representatives of the Czech Confederation of Industry already have a strong position in BusinessEurope.

However, the rotating EU Council presidency brings the country and its representatives more exposure at many formal and informal meetings. In simple terms, we get a seat at the table. And this is true not only for me but also for others. For example, the general manager of our Confederation, Dagmar Kuchtová, has been appointed as a member of the Executive Bureau of BusinessEurope and is therefore in a unique position to directly influence the activities of this entire European confederation.

What would the greatest achievement of this presidency be, from your point of view?

For me, a business representative, the main goal is to support our Czech and EU leaders in order to avoid a worsening of the current energy crisis, and to establish an economically and socially bearable transition pathway to deliver the goals for 2030 and 2050. We need to jointly work on a reality check of previously agreed milestones of energy and climate policies, and ensure sufficient investments are made in order to facilitate the green transition of the industry.

Even in this critical situation, or better to say because of the critical situation, we should not forget some of the necessary reforms needed in Europe, which would take us towards dynamic labour markets. There is a lot to do in Europe to reduce skills mismatches by reskilling, upskilling, or adult education to ensure sustainable competitiveness of our companies and a smooth green and digital transition.

In the current environment, all social partners on the state and EU levels need to lead a constructive dialogue and deliver on their expected and respective roles. It is not only the responsibility of the governments, but also of the representatives of the employees, employers, and various non-governmental organisations to orchestrate meaningful actions.

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It is not a question of “IF” but “WHEN“ they attack you

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5 MYTHS ABOUT CYBERSECURITY that cost companies millions...

Text: Karol Suchánek; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Archive

CO NTRIB UTOR S

Karol Suchánek At the age of 16, he mastered 15 programming languages and developed his first cybersecurity software. He completed a special cyber-security program at MIT in Boston and training with the legendary Hak5 Group in Washington. He currently handles the privacy and the security of companies and public figures. Karol belongs to the Shift2Cloud team of experts, which improves the efficiency and security of companies. He holds NATO security clearance and is a court appointed cybersecurity expert.

1) We have antivirus and firewall.

We are safe.

4) Cybersecurity is too expensive for small and medium-sized businesses.

Times have changed. Cyberattacks have become a profitable business, bigger than the drug or arms trade today. Attacks are very sophisticated, and if you rely only on standard antivirus and firewall the risks of losing your data, know-how, or, let’s say e-shop, are huge. Are you asking why?

It is true that for big companies with many branches, devices, servers, applications, and IT systems, good cybersecurity is expensive.

But how is it different for smaller businesses?

Every day, an average of one million new viruses are emerging, which an antivirus is not able to block automatically.

There are dozens of publicly available ways of avoiding antivirus and firewall – which of course hackers are aware of and use.

Do you remember any high-profile cases of hacked organisations? They all had antivirus and firewall…

Significant cybersecurity improvement can be achieved by simply changing the configuration of the operation systems that you already have, without the need for buying new software.

By replacing physical servers with safe cloud services, you easily eliminate the need for dealing with often complicated and costly security.

By using external cybersecurity experts, you can get necessary know-how without employing costly experts and paying for their trainings.

2) Only big companies are attacked.

5) We back up our data, we are safe.

One of the biggest cybersecurity myths. Do you think that if your business has less than 1,000 employees then you don’t have to worry about attacks?

Yes, back up is very important. However, on its own, it does not increase cybersecurity. It serves as a last resort in case of a successful attack.

Furthermore, the key question is: Will it work at all?

Let´s check the facts.

61% of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses.

The vast majority of cyberattacks are automated and affect the entire Internet.

60% of small and medium-sized business do not address cybersecurity and represent an easy target.

3) We have IT guys. They take care of our cybersecurity.

At the first sight, a very logical objection. However, experience unfortunately shows that reality tends to be totally different. Why? Not all IT guys are the same. Like doctors, they also closely specialise, and you need a cybersecurity expert for IT. Do you have him on your team?

The same applies to external providers of IT services.

Is cybersecurity in their portfolio? Do you pay them for protecting your IT? If not, nobody takes care of your cybersecurity.

Have your IT guys presented any proposals to increase cybersecurity? Do you get regular security monitoring reports? If not, breachers might already be in your net.

Is your backup also offline? It means saved in systems that are not constantly connected to the net or are cloud-based. If not, it is very likely that you will not be able to use it after an attack and you will lose it all.

Do you regularly test if you are able to restore your backup? You might be very unpleasantly surprised to find out that your backup can´t be restored and your last rescue plan failed.

Even if you restore all systems and data from your backup after attack, you are not out of the woods yet.

How much data and work will be lost? What will your financial loss be for the time spent on restoring your backup? And most importantly: How do you know that the restored backup does not already contain malicious code that enabled the breachers to take over your systems?

Does anything ring a bell here?

No wonder. All these cybersecurity misconceptions are based on my everyday reality and experience with various companies. The importance of cybersecurity is higher today than ever before, so if you really see yourself in the myths, take practical steps to have the cybersecurity of your organisation verified by an independent cybersecurity audit before it´s too late.

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CON TRI BU TO RS

Beware of CHEAP IMITATIONS Text: Gianfranco Coizza; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Anna Kovačič and Ondřej Košík

Being raised in a Czech family, I inevitably came across many “Italian” dishes, Spaghetti alla carbonara with cream being a good representative of their style. To be honest, I have quite enjoyed them all. The problem arises when you are served such meals in restaurants that claim to be all-Italian. Gianfranco Coizza, executive chef and co-owner of the “A posto” restaurants, is a genuine Italian living in Prague and his message is simple and memorable, just like true Italian cuisine. Enjoy your reading.

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BLESSED AND CURSED AT THE SAME TIME Italian cuisine, it`s no secret, belongs among the favourite types of cuisine worldwide. Virtually anywhere in the world, a customer can find a pizzeria, or a restaurant named, for instance, “da Giovanni”. Prague, and the Czech Republic as a whole, are no exception. The reason for this huge popularity is relatively easy to understand: Italian food is often connected, in the general perception, with the idea of “dolce vita”, and with the fact that it is the ultimate comfort food, easy to cook, and based mostly on first-class ingredients. Italy was for a long time perceived as a leading holiday destination, and its food remains a part of our good memories from there, just like a beautiful sunset in Rome.

This huge popularity, just like it happens with Italian fashion and design, can be a blessing, but also a curse.

The so-called “Italian-sounding” phenomenon is perhaps the biggest of the issues. Fake clothes, fake design items, restaurants that use Italian names, and, only allegedly though, serve Italian food – they all by no means match the quality that the “made in Italy” seal of approval is known for. Such restaurants parasite on the reputation of Italian cuisine but they are miles away from being Italian, and, most of the time, they are no good. The damage for the restaurateurs who want to offer quality Italian cuisine is clear to see: it isn’t easy competing with restaurants that use inexpensive ingredients, flood the market with cheap imitations of the real thing, and contribute to a distorted perception of what Italian gastronomy really is.

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TRUE AMBASSADORS DON´T COMPROMISE Over the years some restaurateurs were able to establish themselves as true ambassadors of the real Italian culinary tradition by not compromising on the quality of the ingredients and the trueness of the recipes. These entrepreneurs helped a great deal in improving the general knowledge of the culinary tradition of the peninsula and cleared the path for the next steps.

Italian cuisine, just like any other gastronomy culture, has quickly developed over the last few years. Themes such as sustainable sources, foraging, nose to tail eating, zero waste, and organic products have been implemented and integrated in the evolution of the Italian cuisine. This is happening especially within the dynamic force represented by the so-called “modern trattoria”, a trend that embodies a virtuous fusion of traditional regional cuisine, top notch ingredients, modern techniques, and ethical approaches, all with a sprinkle of inspiration and influences taken from other culinary cultures.

The challenge that now awaits Italian restaurateurs worldwide (and some of us have already chosen that path) is to create an up-to-date experience for our customers, rather than a poor pantomime of what a typical Italian restaurant is supposed to be. A restaurant, or, as we say in Italy, a ‘trattoria‘, is not a museum but a living organism, very much similar to a theatre play. Showtime.

Gianfranco Coizza Executive chef and co-owner, A posto trattoria and A posto Macelleria – Za Pískovnou 1210/2 184 00 Dolní Chabry – Praha 8 www.aposto.cz

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British Chamber of Commerce patrons’ breakfast at the new design-led JULIUS PRAGUE Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On Wednesday, 11th May 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce organized a patrons’ breakfast - a unique gathering, and an opportunity to meet some of the top managers from the BCC patrons’ family, as well as the BCC Board of Directors.

Mr. Julius Meinl VI, a partner at House of Julius Meinl and a director at Julius Meinl Living and H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic

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Given such a setting, participants were provided with a special opportunity to discuss the hottest and most current topics in the business world with individuals who are actively and directly involved in it.

The keynote speaker was BCC member and British entrepreneur Mr. Julius Meinl VI, a partner at House of Julius Meinl and a director at Julius Meinl Living.

The event was opened by H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic.

The patrons’ breakfast was hosted at The Julius Prague, a new design-led serviced residence by leading Italian architecture and design firm Matteo Thun & Partners, co-founded by Mr. Julius Meinl VI. As of Monday 16th May, The Julius Prague is open for reservations and bookings.

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H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic and Mr. Aleš Machač, General Manager of The Julius Prague

H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic and Guy Barker, Chairman of the BCC Board of Directors

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CO NTRIBUTOR S

The RIGHT CLOTHES guarantee your SUCCESS Text: M.Zisso; Photo: Archive BANDI

It is a matter of common knowledge that inappropriate choices of clothing may hinder your career growth and social life. So, when I became the owner and executive editor of the Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine, it became quite clear to me that I could use some good advice on how to be dressed properly for different occasions. I decided to discuss the matter with the master - Denisa Vámoš Gróffová, the creative visionary of BANDI Menswear, a manufacturer of formal fashion. Let me share her professional advice with you.

The modern lifestyle creates enormous time pressure on men. Many are succumbing to this and beginning to change their clothing style to be simple and quick to put on. However, they do not realise that, in some areas, this is not possible, and that if they do so, they cannot then be surprised that they do not reap the success they expected.

It all starts with a tie Now, we are talking about the clothing of managers and officials for work and business meetings. All these men are after success, which they turn into business contracts or money. One of the biggest transgressions is the elimination of the tie from formal wear at business meetings. It is necessary to realise that clothing plays a primary role in a business partner‘s assessment of your personality. The game is about trust, which is the most important ingredient of cooperation. The use of a tie is a big part of this.

The tie has the same meaning when dressing for social events. These include balls, weddings, anniversary celebrations, dances, and others. Here, too, men pursue their goals - to look great, to affirm their social status with elegant clothes, or to impress others. But, here too, they can encounter failure simply because they have somehow deviated from the rules. Well then, how would it be done correctly?

Clothes for work Currently, men‘s suits in shades of blue are very modern and popular. “For work, I would absolutely recommend a blue suit with a white shirt, brown shoes, and the right tie, to every man.

Such an outfit not only inspires trust, but also increases respect towards you. This will be especially appreciated by officials in contact with the public,“ says Denisa Vámoš Gróffová, creative visionary of BANDI Menswear.

It is also important to distinguish whether the manager participates in business meetings outside the office or performs the duties within the company, with a team of colleagues. In a collective workspace, it is necessary to vary the choice of colours and patterns that go with a blue suit. This is true for both shirts and ties. If you do not do it, the people around could get the impression that you are wearing the same clothes and not taking care of yourself.

The right clothes for social events A timeless classic has been, is, and will continue to be, the men‘s black suit. It should be a part of every man‘s wardrobe due to its perfect elegance. The great advantage of the black suit is variability. It can be combined with men‘s fashion accessories in shades of graphite or dark blue. “Blue shades inspire trust and calmness; they are suitable for all social and life events. I highly recommend an outfit consisting of a black suit and a dark-coloured shirt or tie for social events held in the evening or in winter. For example, balls,“ adds Denisa Vámoš Gróffová.

On the other hand, the summer season is more than suitable for changing the colours of clothes. For example, for a wedding, colours such as light blue, grey, cream, and so on are appropriate for suits. The recommended colours for shirts with these suits are all soft colour shades. Except for

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white, these include a touch of blue, pink, and the like. Even for a social event such as this, it is not advisable to omit the tie, unless the bride and groom are organising a so-called “themed” wedding, which implies an exception to the rules of social etiquette. Since guests come to weddings in pairs, it is a good idea to choose, for example, the colour of the tie according to the colour of the partner‘s dress or accessories.

Always, so that these guests look like a colour-coordinated couple.

The way you dress is the way you are addressed Every man should always decide what purpose he dresses for and what he expects from it. If you are going to the

fitness centre, sweatpants are the way to go. When going to a restaurant with friends for a drink, there‘s nothing wrong with jeans, a T-shirt, and comfortable trainers. However, it is important to know that when you are going to an event from which you are expecting something, you must dress properly. Even though there has been a loosening of the rules in men‘s formal fashion it doesn‘t mean we can dress as we please. Many men don‘t realise this and then wonder why their plans don’t work out. Nothing can ever change the fact that clothing has a major impact on how you appear to others and what their impression of you will be.

In terms of social significance, it is not likely that there will be any changes to this in the future. The saying „the clothes make the man“ will always be true.

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