The consultations took place shortly after a new government had been formed. The aim was to discuss the government's priorities regarding the EU and NATO integration processes, to share the Czech experience of these processes, and to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations between both countries. The emphasis was also placed on bilateral trade and investment flows, especially in connection with the upcoming first meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, which is to take place in May 2012. First Deputy Minister Schneider also handed over Minister Schwarzenberg's invitation for Minister Zlatko Lagumdžija to visit the Czech Republic in the forthcoming months.