Hundreds of guests gathered at the Embassy of the Czech Republic to celebrate the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union on Wednesday, August 30, 2022.

The event began with a video address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, who emphasized that, “Europe and Czechia in its current leadership role face an unprecedented challenge.” He stated, “Together with our allies, we stand against the direct threat to peace and security in Europe. We confront an unprovoked attack against the sovereignty, independence and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

He then spoke about the priorities of the Czech EU Presidency, which include assistance to Ukraine, managing the refugee crisis and Ukraine’s post-war recovery as well as energy security, economic and democratic resilience, defense and cyber security, and the transatlantic partnership.

Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček spoke next about collaboration with US partners, before bidding farewell to all who came. The Ambassador is ending his tour after six years of serving in the United States and will begin his new posting as Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Vietnam on September 1, 2022.

Ambassador of the European Union to the United States Stavros Lambrinidis and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State of the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Robin Dunnigan also addressed the guests, both focusing on the importance of the transatlantic strategic alliance.

The reception was then opened to a viewing of the exhibition First Spouses, spearheaded by Indira Gumarova, the spouse of Ambassador Kmoníček, and Diplomacy & Fashion, which celebrates nations and cultures by bringing together diplomacy and fashion. The exhibit, via photographs taken by award-winning photographer Miguel Martinez, highlights the men and women behind the European Union’s Ambassadors to the United States.

The Czech EU Presidency will come to a close on December 31, 2022.