Czech Republic deposited the instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

On July 21, 2009, the Czech Republic deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the United Nations Headquarters in New York the instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), adopted in Rome on July 17, 1998, thus becoming the 110th State Party to the Rome Statute. The ceremony was attended by the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN, H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, H.E. Anders Lidén (on behalf of the EU Council Presidency), Permanent Representative of Liechtenstein to the UN and President of the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, H.E. Christian Wenaweser, and William R. Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC.

22.07.2009 03:52

Ambassador Palous handed over the EU Presidency at the UN to Ambassador Lidén on June 30 at the Bohemian National Hall

Sweden assumed the EU Presidency here in New York on June 30 at 6 p.m. local time. The traditional "End of EU Presidency Party" organized by the Czech Permanent Mission to the UN took place at the Bohemian National Hall. The evening was opened by statements by the Permanent Representatives of the Czech Republic H.E. Martin Palouš and Sweden H.E. Anders Lidén. The program continued with a concert by a star Czech singer, violinist, actress and certainly on of the greatest and most original personalities of the conteporary Czech music scene Ms. Iva Bittova. She was accompanied by one of the most famous Czech bassists Mr. George Mraz. A performance by a jazz trio of Karel Růžička, a distinguished Czech saxophonist and composer followed. Michal Nanoru, a former resident DJ at Prague´s foremost vanue Palac Akropolis, played Czech and international music through the rest of the evening. The celebration was to express our SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS FOR THEIR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE CZECH EU PRESIDENCY HERE AT THE UN IN NEW YORK! THANK YOU!

01.07.2009 21:45

Echoes of One World at the United Nations in New York

Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need (peopleinneed.cz), ONE WORLD (oneworld.cz) is, today, the largest and one of the most important human rights film festivals in Europe. In the context of its historical experience with totalitarism, the human rights protection and the support of peaceful democratization processes in the world have been long-term priorities of the Czech Foreign Policy. The Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the UN has been regularly organizing events focusing on the human rights situation in various regions of the world.

In this regard, the Echoes of One World became a natural part of the Days of the Czech Presidency of the European Union at the United Nations in New York. The Permanent Mission organized the Echoes in cooperation with the People in Need and Agora Productions. It featured two documentaries presented on June 15 and June 17 at the Bohemian National Hall in New York. In both cases, the screenings attracted a higher interest than the cinema (70 seats) could accommodate. Each screening was visited by a widely international audience that included representatives of other Permanent Missions, UN and its agencies, NGOs, and media.

17.06.2009 18:25

Czech Gourmet Festival at the United Nations - June 8-12

Czech Gourmet Festival at the UN in New York, organized by CzechTourism New York and the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, in cooperation with the Czech Chefs Association, opened on June 8. The UN Headquarters hosts this entire week´s presentation of Czech Cuisine till June 12 as a part of the Days of the Czech European Union Presidency at the UN in NY.

12.06.2009 06:00

Days of the Czech European Union Presidency at the United Nations

“Days of the Czech EU Presidency at the United Nations” were presented by the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations in cooperation with CzechTourism New York, the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association, Czech Center New York, People in Need and other partners.

12.06.2009 06:00

Zuzana Stivínová and Robert Balzar Trio rocked the Bohemian National Hall in NY

Monday, June 8, 2009, 7 p.m., Bohemian National Hall, NY (312 E. 73rd St. between 1st and 2nd Ave.) - Zuzana Stivínová, a distinguished Czech singer and actress, presented a special concert “From the Stage to the Bar” inspired by cabaret performances featuring a Czech, European and American repertoire, including songs by Suchý & Šlitr and Brecht & Weill. Zuzana Stivínová is currently living in New York and recently played leading roles in the world premiere of Vaclav Havel's play "Leaving" and Miloš Forman directed jazz opera "A Walk Worthwhile". She was also recognized for her performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Zuzana Stivínová was awarded the Radok Theatre Award and nominated three times for the Czech Film Academy Award "Czech Lion". Last year Zuzana Stivínová started to work with the Robert Balzar Trio and produced a series of her own concerts. The Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations in New York and the Bohemian Benevolent Literary Association presented Zuzana Stivínová´s concert in the Bohemian National Hall as a part of the Days of the Czech European Union Presidency at the UN.

08.06.2009 21:01

Exhibition of Antonín Kratochvíl’s photographs opened at the United Nations in NY

The exhibition of Antonín Kratochvíl, Czech photographer of international fame, recipient of many prestigious awards (incl. 1997 and 2002 World Press Photo Awards), opened at the United Nations on June 1, 2009 at 6 p.m. and launched the Days of the Czech Presidency of the European Union at the United Nations in New York. Kratochvíl´s The Time in which I Live presents a compelling reflection of the contemporary world and features photographs from Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iraq, Lebanon, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, USA, Zaire and other countries.

01.06.2009 06:00

Statements on behalf of the European Union in the Security Council

May 28, 2009 - Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on Bosnia and Herzegovinia at the Security Council Meeting

May 13, 2009 - Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech | Republic to the United Nations, on The Situation in Somalia at the Security Council Debate

April 29, 2009 - Statement on Behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, at the Security Council on the open debate on children and armed conflict.

April 24, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on the Situation in Chad, the Central African Republic and the subregion at the Security Council

April 21, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on Mediation and Settlement of Disputes at the Security Council

March 25, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

March 20, 2009 - Mr. Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative, on the humanitarian situation in Sudan

March 20, 2009 - Mr. Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative, on The Situation in Somalia

March 19, 2009 - Mr. Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative,on the situation in Afghanistan

March 18, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on Peace and Security in Africa

February 19, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, open debate on the situation in Timor-Leste

January 23, 2009 - Mr. Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative, on the UN peacekeeping operations

January 14, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on the Protection of Civilians

January 7, 2009 - H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

28.05.2009 16:30

Screening of " Forgotten Transports" by Czech director Lukáš Přibyl at the United Nations

On Wednesday, May 27, the Permanent Mission presented a new documentary by Czech director Lukas Pribyl about friendship between Czech Jewish women that helped them to survive the imprisonment in concentration camps during the second World War. Ambassador Martin Palous described the film as a unique project of high artistic value and also significance in terms of restoration and preservation of our historical memory. The audience had a unique opportunity to discuss the movie not only with its author Mr. Lukas Pribyl, but also two very special guests Ms. Susan Felix and Ms. Zdenka Klein, living survivors of the transports featured in the movie who currently live in New York.

27.05.2009 21:31

Czech Presidency in New York hosted a seminar on Security Sector Reform

On 21 May 2009, in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted a seminar on "Enhancing EU-UN co-operation on Crisis Management: Focus on Security Sector Reform (SSR)".

21.05.2009 06:00

The Czech Presidency organized a panel discussion on inter-religious dialog at the UN featuring Prof. Tomáš Halík

The Czech Permanent Mission, in cooperation with the UN Book Shop, organized a panel discussion on inter-religious dialog as a part of the effort to provide a forum for discussion on various topics during the Czech EU Presidency.

29.04.2009 21:14

Javier Solana met Ambassador Palous during his visit in New York

Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common and Security Policy, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union visited New York on April 16 and met with Ambassador Martin Palous as the representative of the European Union Presidency at the United Nations.

27.04.2009 18:03

Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, at the General debate of the United Nations Disarmament Commission

April 15, 2009

16.04.2009 17:53

Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative, on The Revitalization of the General Assembly at the First Meeting of the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly

April 15, 2009

15.04.2009 21:21

Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, in the Security Council open debate on Haiti

April 6, 2009

09.04.2009 17:21

President Barack Obama's Speech in Prague

Barack Obama's speech outlining his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons at Hradčany Square in Prague, Czech Republic

April 5, 2009

05.04.2009 21:46

Ambassador Palouš spoke on the 10th Anniversary of NATO enlargement by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland

On March 5, 2009, H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš was a guest speaker at the panel discussion organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of NATO enlargement by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, the first former members of the Warsaw Pact to enter the Alliance (on March 12, 1999).

31.03.2009 20:50

Statement on behalf of the EU by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš at the informal consultation of the plenary on the revised text of the draft resolution on the organization of the Conference at the highest level on the World Financial and Economic Crisis

March 24, 2009

25.03.2009 18:04

Press Conference on the EU support of peace and security in Chad and the Central African Republic

On Tuesday, March 17, consultations of the Security Council took place, convened on the occasion of the transition of the European Union mission EUFOR operating in Chad and the Central African Republic to the United Nations MINURCAT mission. After the meeting that started at 11:00 a.m. Ambassador Martin Palous on behalf of the Czech EU Presidency joined by the Permanent Representative of Austria H.E. Thomas Mayr-Harting, the Permanent Representative of France H.E. Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Great Britain H.E. Ms. Karen Pierce addressed the media from the Security Council Stakeout with more details on the EU involvement in the region - both in the form of the EUFOR as well as the participation in the MINURCAT mission.

19.03.2009 21:15

Statements by Petr Kaiser, Deputy Permanent Representative, on Security Council reform

Click here to view statements

18.03.2009 05:00

Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Michael Kocáb as a head of Czech delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women

The 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place during the first two weeks of March 2009. H.E. Mr. Michael Kocáb led the delegation of the Czech Republic, as the country currently holding the presidency over the EU. The main topic of the Commission was “Equal Sharing of Responsibilities between Women and Men Including Caregiving in the Context of HIV/AIDS”

17.03.2009 05:00

Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, at the first substantive meeting of the Open-ended working group towards an arms trade treaty.

March 2, 2009

02.03.2009 20:57

First month of our European Union Presidency in New York

From its very beginning, the Czech Presidency was confronted with the situation in Gaza. H.E. Mr. Martin Palous, the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, delivered statements on Gaza on behalf of the EU both at the UN Security Council as well as at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. Both planed and unplaned meetings with official UN Representatives, incl. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, individual countries, regional groups and regional organizations were organized and are set to continue throughout the Presidency. H.E. Mrs. Susan Rice, the new US Permanent Representative to the UN, and Ambassador Palous had a meeting together the second day after her appointment. This active role on behalf of the EU would not have been possible without a constant and intensive communication and coordination with the EU Member States as well as negotiations with third parties.

05.02.2009 06:00

Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg attended the Ministerial Week of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York

H.E. Mr. Schwarzenberg delivered a statement at the General Debate of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly and participated in a number of events, including High Level Meetings on Africa and its development needs and on the UN Millennium Development Goals. As a member of the EU Troika, the Czech Foreign Minister took part in EU meetings with regional groupings as well as individual countries. He also met with several of his counterparts bilaterally. THE GENERAL DEBATE STATEMENT IS NOW AVAILABLE.

30.09.2008 20:45

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg and Ambassador Martin Palouš hosted a launch of a report "Failure to Protect: The Ongoing Challenge of North Korea"

Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg, and the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Martin Palouš, hosted a launch of a report commissioned by Hon. Václav Havel, Hon. Kjell Magne Bondevik and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel, "Failure to Protect: The Ongoing Challenge of North Korea" at the outset of the Ministerial Week opening the 63rd General Assembly.

29.09.2008 23:09

H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg signed the International Tropical Timber Agreement at the UN Headquarters

On September 23, 2008, Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg signed the International Tropical Timber Agreement in the framework of the so-called Treaty Event through which the UN aims to increase the number of parties to important international treaties and to strengthen the role of international law. The Czech Republic also deposited the instrument of ratification to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of the United Nations and Associated Personnel.

28.09.2008 23:10