Foreign relations of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic entertains diplomatic relations with 191 countries in the world, around half of which maintain a resident embassy in the Czech capital city, Prague.[1] The Czech Republic is a full member of the United Nations (and all of its main specialized agencies and boards), of the European Union, and of NATO.
Until the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia had followed that of the Soviet Union. Since the revolution and the subsequent mutually-agreed peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Czechs have made integration with Western institutions their chief foreign policy objective. This goal was rapidly met with great success, as the nation joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, and held the Presidency of the European Union during the first half of 2009.
Participation in international organizations
The Czech Republic participates in the United Nations (UN); World Trade Organization (WTO); International Monetary Fund (IMF); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); International Energy Agency (IEA); North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the International Whaling Commission.
The Czech Republic is a member of the United Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It is a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
The Czech Republic became a member of the EU in May 2004. This followed signature of the Treaty of Accession with nine other candidate nations in 1993. Although there have been disagreements with established EU member nations over some economic issues, such as agricultural quotas and a recent[when?] amendment to the gaming law, relations are good.
The Czech Republic became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, along with Poland and Hungary, on 12 March 1999. This membership represents a milestone in the country's foreign policy and security orientation.
International disputes
Liechtenstein
Throughout the past decades, Liechtenstein continuously claimed restitution for 1,600 km2 (620 sq mi) (which is ten times the size of Liechtenstein) of land currently located in the Czech Republic that were confiscated from the Liechtenstein family in 1918 by the then newly established state of Czechoslovakia; the Czech Republic insisted that it could not acknowledge or be responsible for claims going back to before February 1948, when the Communists had seized power.
As a result, Liechtenstein did not diplomatically recognize the existence of the Czech Republic as a new state (and, for that matter, also that of the Slovak Republic) until 2009.
In July 2009, the Prince of Liechtenstein announced he was resigning to the previous unsuccessful claims to property located in the Czech Republic, and on 13 July 2009, after politically recognizing one another, the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein formally established diplomatic relations.[2][3]
Placement of US National Missile Defense base
In February 2007, the US started formal negotiations with Czech Republic and Poland concerning construction of missile shield installations in those countries for a Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System.[4] Government of the Czech Republic agrees (while 67% Czechs disagree and only about 22% support it)[5] to host a missile defense radar on its territory while a base of missile interceptors is supposed to be built in Poland. The objective is reportedly to protect another parts of US National Missile Defense from long-range missile strikes from Iran and North Korea, but Czech PM Mirek Topolánek said the main reason is to avoid Russian influence and strengthen ties to US.[6]
The main government supporter Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister for European affairs, used to be an ambassador to the USA. More problematic is that between 2004 and 2006 he was an executive director of a lobbying company Dutko Worldwide Prague. Dutko's and its strategic partner AMI Communications (PR company) customers are Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Nortrop Grumman, which are largest contractors for NMD development.[7][8] AMI Communications also received (without a formal selection procedure) a government contract to persuade Czechs to support US radar base.
Europe
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | See Albania–Czech Republic relations
The multi-national Communist armed forces’ sole joint action was the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. All member countries, with the exception of the People's Republic of Albania and the Socialist Republic of Romania participated in the invasion. Albania formally withdrew from the Warsaw Pact in 1968 over the matter.[9] | |
Austria | See Austria – Czech Republic relations
Austria has an embassy in Prague and two honorary consulates (in Brno and České Budějovice). The Czech Republic has an embassy in Vienna and five honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. They share 362 km (225 mi) of common border, which can be crossed anywhere without border control due to the Schengen Agreement. | |
Belarus | See Foreign relations of Belarus | |
Belgium | See Foreign relations of Belgium | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | See Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
Bulgaria | See Bulgaria – Czech Republic relations
Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia were established on 27 September 1920, they were severed on 1 June 1939 and were restored on 10 October 1945. On 23 December 1992 Bulgaria recognised the Czech Republic and established diplomatic relations with it at the level of embassies as of 1 January 1993. Bulgaria has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Prague.[10] Czech Republic has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[11] | |
Croatia | See Foreign relations of Croatia | |
Cyprus | See Foreign relations of Cyprus | |
Denmark | See Czech Republic–Denmark relations
| |
Estonia | 1920s |
|
Finland | 1 January 1993 |
|
France |
See Czech Republic–France relations
| |
Germany | See Czech–German relations
| |
Greece | 1 January 1993 | See Czech Republic–Greece relations |
Hungary | 1 January 1993 |
|
Iceland | 1 January 1993 | See Czech Republic – Iceland relations
|
Ireland | 1929 |
|
Italy | ||
Kosovo | 2008 | See Czech–Kosovan relations
|
Latvia | 9 September 1991 |
|
Liechtenstein | 13 July 2009 | |
Lithuania | 5 January 1922 |
|
Luxembourg |
| |
Malta |
| |
Netherlands | 13 November 1919 |
|
Poland | See Poland – Czech Republic relations
Both countries are full members of the European Union. They share 796 km (495 mi) of common border, which can be crossed anywhere without border control due to the Schengen Agreement. | |
Romania | 6 April 1919 | |
Russia | See Czech Republic – Russia relations
The present day relations between the two countries are at their best, and many agreements have been signed. Russia also has further reduced its oil deliveries to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Moscow, and two consulate generals (in Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg). The Russian Federation has an embassy in Prague, and two consulate generals in (Brno and Karlovy Vary). | |
Serbia | 1918 |
|
Slovakia | 1 January 1993 | See Czech Republic – Slovakia relations
Before 1918, both countries were part of Austria–Hungary, and between 1918 and 1 January 1993, both countries were part of Czechoslovakia. |
Ukraine |
| |
United Kingdom | See Czech Republic – United Kingdom relations
HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996.[52] |
Americas
- Canada has an embassy in Prague.
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto and an honorary consulate in Calgary.
- Colombia is represented in the Czech Republic through its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Bogota and 3 consulates (in Barranquilla, Cartagena and Medellín).
Diplomatic relations between Czechoslovakia and Mexico were established in 1922. Mexico re-recognised Czech independence in 1993 after its separation with Slovakia.
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Mexico City and honorary consulates in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Tijuana.[53]
- Mexico has an embassy in Prague.[54]
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of Czechoslovakia on 28 October 1918.
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Washington, DC and consulates-general in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.[55]
- The United States has an embassy in Prague.[56]
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Montevideo and an honorary consulate in Maldonado.[57]
- Uruguay has an embassy in Prague.
Asia
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 30 March 1992 | |
Azerbaijan | See Foreign relations of Azerbaijan | |
China | 6 October 1949 | See China–Czech Republic relations |
Georgia | 1 January 1993 |
|
India | ||
Iran | 30 April 1929 | |
Iraq | 1993 |
|
Israel | 3 July 1948 | See Czech Republic–Israel relations
The government of Czechoslovakia recognised independence of Israel 5 days after its declaration on 19 May 1948. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on 3 July 1948. Czechoslovakia supported with military aircraft and weapons newly created Israeli state for several months, however then-new communist government ceased this support and in few years even the diplomatic relations were broken. Communist regime did spread anti-Israeli propaganda, like all then socialist countries. After the Velvet revolution, the relations were renewed. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem and Ramat Gan).[66] Israel has an embassy in Prague.[67] In December 2008 the Czech Air Force wanted to train in desert conditions for the upcoming mission in Afghanistan. No country agreed to help, except Israel. Israel saw it as an opportunity to thank the Czechs for training Israeli pilots when the country was first established.[68] There are 3,000 Jews living in the Czech Republic (see also History of the Jews in the Czech Republic). |
Japan | 1919 |
|
Kazakhstan | ||
North Korea | See Foreign relations of North Korea | |
Malaysia | See Czech Republic–Malaysia relations
| |
Mongolia | 1992 | See Czech Republic – Mongolia relations |
Philippines |
| |
Pakistan | 27 September 1950 | |
South Korea | 22 March 1990[83] | See Czech Republic – South Korea relations
|
Vietnam | 1950-02-02 (as Czechoslovakia) |
|
Rest of world
- Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993. [citation needed]
- The Czech Republic has an embassy in Tripoli.
- Libya has a consulate in Prague
- The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has an embassy in Prague the Czech Republic since 1990.
- The Česká republika (Czech Republic) has an embassy in Seoul the Republic of Korea since 1991.[83]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.mzv.cz/file/955338/The_Czech_Republic_s_Foreign_Policy_in_2011___A_Brief_Overview.pdf
- ^ a b "Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic establish diplomatic relations" (PDF). Government Spokesperson's Office, the Principality of Liechtenstein. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Navázání diplomatických styků České republiky s Knížectvím Lichtenštejnsko" (in Czech). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ Mardell, Mark (31 May 2007). "Europe diary: Missile defence". BBC News.
- ^ "Občané o americké radarové základně v ČR" (PDF) (Press release) (in Czech). Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění. 6 March 2008.
{{cite press release}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Topolánek, Mirek (24 November 2007). "18. Kongres ODS: Úvodní projev předsedy ODS". Civic Democratic Party. Archived from the original on 31 May 2008.
- ^ "Kdo prosazuje radar v ČR?" (in Czech). Hnutí Nenásilí. 16 October 2008.
- ^ "Protiraketová lobby v USA a České republice" (in Czech). Greenpeace.
- ^ "1955: Communist states sign Warsaw Pact". BBC News. 14 May 1955. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "Bulgaria - Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Czech Republic embassy in Sofia". Mzv.cz. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Copenhagen". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Danish embassy in Prague". Ambprag.um.dk. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Tallinn". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Estonian embassy in Prague". Estemb.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of Finland in Prague". Finland.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ Text in League of Nations Treaty Series, vol. 23, pp. 164–169.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Paris (in Czech and French only)". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "French embassy in Prague (in Czech and French only)". France.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of the Czech Republic in Athens". MZV. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ "Greece - Embassy of the Hellenic Republic". MZV. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Budapest". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Hungarian embassy in Prague". Mfa.gov.hu. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Dublin". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Irish embassy in Prague". Embassyofireland.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Rome". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech general consulate in Milan". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Italian embassy in Prague". Ambpraga.esteri.it. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "The Czech Republic has recognized independence of Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2008.
- ^ "Česko otevřelo své velvyslanectví v Kosovu". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). Czech Republic. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
- ^ "Czech Republic opens its embassy to Pristina". Kosovapress. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
- ^ "Cezch embassy in Riga". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Latvian embassy in Prague". Am.gov.lv. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Vilnius". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Lithuanian embassy in Prague". Cz.mfa.lt. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Luxembourg City (in Czech and French only)". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Luxembourg embassy in Prague" (in French). Ambalux.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech honorary consulate in Valletta". Czech-malta.com. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Sorry. The page you are looking for does not exist" (PDF). Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Czech embassy in The Hague". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Dutch embassy in Prague". Netherlandsembassy.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Bucharest (in Czech and Romanian embassy)". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Romanian embassy in Prague". Praga.mae.ro. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Belgrade (in Czech and Serbian only)". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Kiev(in Czech and Ukrainian only)". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Ukrainian embassy in Prague (in Czech and Ukrainian only)". Mfa.gov.ua. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Ukrainian consulate in Brno(in Czech and Ukrainian only)" (in Czech). Ukrkonzulat.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ Serhy Yekelchyk "Ukraine: Birth of a Modern Nation", Oxford University Press (2007), ISBN 978-0-19-530546-3 (page 128-130)
- ^ "Worldwide organisations - GOV.UK". Fco.gov.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ "How to find us | Embassy of the Czech Republic in London". Mzv.cz. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ "Czech Honorary Consulates in the UK | Embassy of the Czech Republic in London". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ "Outward state visits made by the queen since 1952". Official web site of the British Monarchy. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
- ^ "Embassy of the Czech Republic in Mexico City". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Bienvenidos a la portada". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC
- ^ "Home - Embassy of the United States". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Montevideo (in Czech and Spanish only)". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Tbilissi". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Georgian embassy in Prague". Embassy.mfa.gov.ge. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech Republic Embassy in India". VisaHQ.
- ^ "Embassy of India, Czech Republic". Visa to India.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Tehran". Mzv.cz. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Iranian embassy in Prague". Czechembassy.org. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Baghdad". Mzv.cz. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Iraqi embassy in Prague". Czechembassy.org. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Tel Aviv". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ Israeli embassy in Prague
- ^ "Czech pilots train in Israel for Afghan mission". Ceskenoviny.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic: 歴代チェコ共和国日本国大使". Cz.emb-japan.go.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
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- ^ "Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tokyo: World War II". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Japanese embassy in Prague (in Czech and Japanese only)". Cz.emb-japan.go.jp. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech embassy in Astana". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Kazakh embassy in Prague". Kazembassy.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of Czech Republic in Kuala Lumpur". Embassy of Czech Republic, Kuala Lumpur. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
- ^ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Prague". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
- ^ Christoph Marcinkowski; Constance Chevallier-Govers; Ruhanas Harun (2011). Malaysia and the European Union: Perspectives for the Twenty-First Century. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 40–. ISBN 978-3-643-80085-5.
- ^ "Mongolian – Czech friendship grows with EU". The Mongol Messenger. 17 April 2005. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ^ "Report on the Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic, 1998–1999" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic. 1999: 187–188. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ "Czech embassy in Islamabad". Mzv.cz. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Pakistani embassy in Prague". Czechembassy.org. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Czech ambassador confirmed dead in blast". CNN. 21 September 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ a b c http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/europe/countries/20070818/1_24626.jsp?menu=m_30_40
- ^ "South Korean embassy in Prague". Cze.mofat.go.kr. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Korea". Mzv.cz. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2011.