The Czech Republic introduced itself to foreign journalists – from glass to aid for Ukrainian refugees
11.07.2022 / 15:35 | Aktualizováno: 02.03.2023 / 15:38
Each Presidency presents its priorities not only to other countries and the professional public, but also to the media. The so-called press trip for foreign journalists was also prepared by the Czech Presidency under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Government. More than fifty journalists from all EU Member States, as well as from Ukraine and the USA, came to Prague from 7 to 10 July.
"Good communication with the media is crucial for the success of the Czech Presidency. We presented not only our priorities for the next six months at the head of the EU Council, but also Czech culture, gastronomy, humour and the roots of our European identity to journalists from leading press agencies, influential world newspapers and other prestigious media," said Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
During the four-day trip, the journalists first met with Prime Minister Petr Fiala and selected members of the cabinet at an informal dinner at the Liechtenstein Palace. On the second day at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministers and deputy ministers of most ministries were interviewed. The dominant topics were the Russian aggression in Ukraine, plans for the reconstruction of the country and Ukraine's future prospects in the EU.
The journalists also met with the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Markéta Pekarová Adamová, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on EU Affairs David Smoljak and the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Yevhen Perebyjnis. They also visited the headquarters of Radio Free Europe.
"In the second part of the programme, we introduced the tradition of Czech crystal to the media representatives. During their visit to Liberec, they got acquainted with the world-renowned tradition of our glass-making. Then, the staff of the Technical University of Liberec also introduced them to the projects of 3D printers and nanotechnologies," added Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský.
The visit concluded with the biggest priority of the Czech Presidency – assistance to Ukraine. The journalists saw with their own eyes two projects that help Ukrainian refugees, the Background Café and Nora Fridrichová's Šatník (Wardrobe). "The Czechs are showing great solidarity with Ukrainian refugees. Their help and civic engagement is admirable; the Czech Republic has raised CZK 3 billion through public fundraising alone. We showed journalists two projects, but there are hundreds more," added Lipavský.