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ministr Jan Hamáček
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Czech diplomats have negotiated the release of humanitarian workers in Syria

 

On 9 August 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Hamáček, arrived to Damascus, Syria, to take over and bring to the Czech Republic two workers of a German non-governmental organisation. The two released workers will be met by representatives of their embassies at Václav Havel Airport in Prague. The humanitarian operation was made possible by the Czech Republic’s diplomatic presence in Syria. The Czech Republic is the only European country to have an ambassador in Syria; as such, it is able to provide effective consular assistance to EU citizens as well as to nationals of other countries, for example the United States.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Hamáček, has informed the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, about his humanitarian mission to Syria.  

On the occasion of the handover of the two humanitarian workers, Minister Hamáček held brief bilateral talks with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Muallem, and expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian gesture of the Syrian authorities. “I am glad that we have been able to negotiate the release of these two humanitarian workers, and that both of them are in a good physical and mental health. This once again underlines the important role the Czech Embassy in Damascus has been playing over the past few years, for the benefit of EU countries and for other states as well”, Minister Hamáček said, speaking about his humanitarian mission.  

During his meeting with his Syrian counterpart, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined the EU common positions on the solution of the Syrian conflict. The positions are based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2254 (2015), and place an emphasis on the Geneva Process. Minister Hamáček strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria and stressed that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. He also expressed his conviction that the withdrawal of Iranian forces from the Israel-Syria border area will contribute to stability in the region.

With reference to legislation relating to classified information as well as to the need to ensure the safety of the two workers of a German non-governmental organisation, who are not Czech citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic confirms that it will not disclose any additional details on this case.

Minister Jan Hamáček and ambassador Christoph Israng

Minister Jan Hamáček and ambassador Christoph Israng

 

 

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