Israeli President Herzog arrived in Prague, Zeman apologizes to him for Lipavský
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog began the official part of his visit to the Czech Republic with a reception at Prague Castle. In addition to President Miloš Zeman, he will also hold talks with Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) on Monday. He will also have lunch in the Vladislav Hall or dinner with businessmen. They will discuss bilateral cooperation, defense cooperation and the Czech presidency of the European Union with Czech political representatives.
Herzog and his wife arrived at the first castle courtyard shortly before 10:30. They were welcomed by Zeman and his wife Ivana, followed by a military parade of the Castle Guard unit and the anthems of both countries. Prague Castle is closed on Monday due to the visit of the Israeli president for security reasons.
Meetings of national delegations are now taking place at the Castle, in which, for example, the Ministry of Defense Jana Černochová, the Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek or the Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (all ODS) will be representing the Czech side.
The topics of the meeting will be bilateral relations and economic cooperation, the Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union and the EU’s relations with Israel. Zeman could once again mention the issue of moving the Czech embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which he has been promoting for a long time. Arms orders could also be a topic.
Zeman apologizes for Lipavský
Zeman recently said in the media that he would apologize to Herzog for Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates). It bothers him that the Czechia did not join the countries condemning the UN Human Rights Council’s report on Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already announced that the Czechia expressed itself unequivocally towards the commission last May, when it voted against its establishment. According to him, this position is still valid.
At the Castle, the presidents will also meet people who survived Nazi concentration camps or who were persecuted by the Nazis. A lunch has also been prepared for Herzog at the Castle in the Vladislav Hall, to which about 140 people from among representatives of Jewish communities, high-ranking state officials or business people connected to Israel have been invited.
Herzog’s meetings with Pekarová, Vystrčil and Fiala will follow. He will talk with the Prime Minister in the Liechtenstein Palace of the Israeli President about the strategic partnership of the two countries and the possibilities of strengthening it, about cooperation in the field of defense and the defense industry, or about long-term Czech support for Israel in international organizations, the government office said.
The Herzog program in the Czech Republic will end with a dinner co-organized by the Czech-Israeli Mixed Chamber of Commerce at the Castle. Zeman will also take part in it.
The Israeli president came to the Czech Republic seven times, the last time in Prague was his predecessor Reuven Rivlin in October 2015.