In his introductory speech, Minister Zaorálek recalled the long history of diplomatic relations with African states as well as the current increase of Czech activities on the African territory, be it opening of new diplomatic missions, foreign trade or investment projects of Czech companies.

The Minister stressed that the Czech Republic considers Africa a dynamic continent with a high potential that is manifested primarily by the youth and the students. That’s why the Czech Republic has been granting government scholarships, from which currently almost eighty African students benefit; nearly four hundred others study in the Czech Republic using their own means, the Erasmus+ programme or other sources. The Minister mentioned also today’s global challenges that both Africa and Europe can tackle only if they cooperate and support each other; as an African saying goes, “the cooking pot cannot sit on one stone only”. 

Nearly sixty current and former students coming from eighteen African countries and with experience from fifteen different Czech universities attended the meeting, which was an opportunity to discuss with Minister Zaorálek as well as with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jiří Šír, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Dana Prudíková and a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. They came not only from Prague but also from Brno, Hradec Králové, Zlín, Ústí nad Labem, Olomouc or Pardubice.

Minister Zaorálek Welcomed Students from African Countries at the Czernin Palace