Czech Republic |
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Foreign policy
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Until the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia had followed that of the Soviet Union. Since the revolution and the subsequent mutually-agreed peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Czechs have made integration with Western institutions their chief foreign policy objective. This goal was rapidly met with great success, as the nation joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, and held the Presidency of the European Union during the first half of 2009.
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The Czech Republic participates in the United Nations (UN); World Trade Organization (WTO); International Monetary Fund (IMF); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); International Energy Agency (IEA); North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the International Whaling Commission.
Fundamental to this objective is Czech membership in the European Union. The Czech Republic became a member of the EU in May 2004. This followed signature of the Treaty of Accession with nine other candidate nations in 1993. Although there have been disagreements with established EU member nations over some economic issues, such as agricultural quotas and a recent amendment to the gaming law, relations are good.
The Czech Republic is a member of the United Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It is a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. It maintains diplomatic relations with more than 85 countries, of which 63 have permanent representation in Prague. The Czech Republic became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, along with Poland and Hungary, on 12 March 1999. This membership represents a milestone in the country's foreign policy and security orientation.
Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 km2 (620 sq mi) (which is ten times the size of Liechtenstein) of land in the Czech Republic confiscated from its princely family in 1918 by the then newly established state of Czechoslovakia, the predecessor of the Czech Republic; the Czech Republic insists that the power to claim restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power; Liechtenstein did not diplomatically recognize the Czech Republic until 2009, and the Czech Republic in turn did not diplomatically recognize Liechtenstein.
Individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; agreement with Slovakia signed 24 November 1998 resolves issues of redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal land.
On 13 July 2009 the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein established diplomatic relations.[1][2]
In February 2007, the US started formal negotiations with Czech Republic and Poland concerning construction of missile shield installations in those countries for a Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System.[3] Government of the Czech Republic agrees (while 67% Czechs disagree and only about 22% support it)[4] to host a missile defense radar on its territory while a base of missile interceptors is supposed to be built in Poland. The objective is reportedly to protect another parts of US National Missile Defense from long-range missile strikes from Iran and North Korea, but Czech PM Mirek Topolánek said the main reason is to avoid Russian influence and strengthen ties to US.[5]
The main government supporter Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister for European affairs, used to be an ambassador to the USA. More problematic is that between 2004 and 2006 he was an executive director of a lobbying company Dutko Worldwide Prague. Dutko's and its strategic partner AMI Communications (PR company owned by ODS members) customers are Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Nortrop Grumman, which are largest contractors for NMD development.[6][7] AMI Communications also received (without a formal selection procedure) a government contract to persuade Czechs to support US radar base.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Austria | See Austria – Czech Republic relations
Austria has an embassy in Prague and two honorary consulates (in Brno and České Budějovice). The Czech Republic has an embassy in Vienna and five honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. They share 362 km (225 mi) of common border, which can be crossed anywhere without border control due to the Schengen Agreement. |
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Belarus | See Foreign relations of Belarus | |
Belgium | See Foreign relations of Belgium | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | See Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
Bulgaria | See Bulgaria – Czech Republic relations
Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia were established on 27 September 1920, they were severed on 1 June 1939 and were restored on 10 October 1945. On 23 December 1992 Bulgaria recognised the Czech Republic and established diplomatic relations with it at the level of embassies as of 1 January 1993. Bulgaria has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Prague.[8] Czech Republic has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[9] |
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Croatia | See Foreign relations of Croatia | |
Cyprus | See Foreign relations of Cyprus | |
Denmark | See Czech Republic – Denmark relations
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Estonia | 1920s |
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Finland | 1 January 1993 |
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France |
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Germany | See Czech–German relations
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Hungary | 1 January 1993 |
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Iceland | 1 January 1993 | See Czech Republic – Iceland relations
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Ireland | 1929 | |
Italy | ||
Kosovo | 2008 | See Czech–Kosovan relations
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Latvia | 9 September 1991 |
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Liechtenstein | 13 July 2009 | |
Lithuania | 5 January 1922 |
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Luxembourg |
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Malta |
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Netherlands | 13 November 1919 |
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Poland | See Poland – Czech Republic relations
Both countries are full members of the European Union. They share 796 km (495 mi) of common border, which can be crossed anywhere without border control due to the Schengen Agreement. |
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Romania | 6 April 1919 | |
Russia | See Czech Republic – Russia relations
The present day relatios between the two countries are at their best, and many agreements have been signed. Russia also has further reduced its oil deliveries to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Moscow, and two consulate generals (in Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg). The Russian Federation has an embassy in Prague, and two consulate generals in (Brno and Karlovy Vary). |
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Serbia | 1918 |
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Slovakia | 1 January 1993 | See Czech Republic – Slovakia relations
Before 1918, both countries were part of Austria–Hungary, and between 1918 and 1 January 1993, both countries were part of Czechoslovakia. |
Ukraine |
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United Kingdom | See Czech Republic – United Kingdom relations
HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996.[45] |
Canada has an embassy in Prague. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Ottawa, 2 general consulates (in Montreal and Toronto) and 3 honorary consulates (in Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg).
Colombia is represented in the Czech Republic through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). The Czech Republic has an embassy in Bogota and 3 consulates (in Barranquilla, Cartagena and Medellín).[46]
Diplomatic relations between then Czechoslovakia and Mexico were established in 1922. Mexico re-recognised Czech independence. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Mexico City and 3 honorary consulates (in Monterrey, Guadalajara and Tijuana).[47] Mexico has an embassy in Prague.[48]
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of Czechoslovakia on 28 October 1918.
The Czech Republic has an embassy in Montevideo and an honorary consulate in Maldonado.[49] Uruguay has an embassy in Prague.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
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Armenia | See Foreign relations of Armenia | |
Azerbaijan | See Foreign relations of Azerbaijan | |
Georgia | 1 January 1993 |
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India | ||
Iran | 30 April 1929 | |
Iraq | 1993 |
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Israel | 3 July 1948 | See Czech Republic – Israel relations
The government of Czechoslovakia recognised independence of Israel 5 days after its declaration on 19 May 1948. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on 3 July 1948. Czechoslovakia supported with military aircraft and weapons newly created Israeli state for several months, however then-new communist government ceased this support and in few years even the diplomatic relations were broken. Communist regime did spread anti-Israeli propaganda, like all then socialist countries. After the Velvet revolution, the relations were renewed. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem and Ramat Gan).[58] Israel has an embassy in Prague.[59] In December 2008 the Czech Air Force wanted to train in desert conditions for the upcoming mission in Afghanistan. No country agreed to help, except Israel. Israel saw it as an opportunity to thank the Czechs for training Israeli pilots when the country was first established.[60] There are 3,000 Jews living in the Czech Republic (see also History of the Jews in the Czech Republic). |
Japan | 1919 |
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Kazakhstan | ||
Mongolia | 1992 | See Czech Republic – Mongolia relations |
Pakistan | 27 September 1950 | |
South Korea | March 1990 |
There is also Czech Info Center in Seoul.
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