European summit in Prague | Current news ONLINE
According to the police, the arrivals of the European leaders at the Castle went without any problems
The arrival of several dozen nationals at Prague Castle, who today are guests of the first meeting of the European Political Community, concerned other problems in transport and related issues. Prague police spokesman Jan Daněk said. Traffic at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport was not restricted in any way due to the arrival of special flights from all over the continent. Only some tourists heading to the Castle left with nothing, because they had no idea that the historic residence of Czech kings and presidents was closed until Saturday due to a meeting of European politicians.
They started arriving at the completely closed Hradčanská náměstí around noon, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed them on the red carpet for about an hour and a half with the assistance of journalist cameras, cameras and voice recorders. A group of people who could walk along the edge of the square watched their arrival from the areas enclosed by roadblocks. The area was guarded by dozens of policemen, and masked policemen were on alert in the upper windows of Prague Castle and on the roof of the neighboring Archbishop’s Palace. So far, the policy has not had to solve any problems due to the summit, the policy stated about an hour after noon.
From the other side, at the entrance to the Castle from the Powder Bridge, traffic was smooth. Occasionally, a police convoy passing by bringing participants to the summit passed. In addition to the state, groups of tourists also went to the Castle. The policemen who entered were guarding, but had to point out that the Castle is closed until Saturday due to the meeting of European politicians.
The first meeting of the European Political Community will be attended by representatives of 27 EU member states and 17 other states, including Turkey, Britain and Ukraine. On Friday, this new format will be followed up by an informal meeting of the leaders of the EU countries. The security and escort of the participants of both summits is ensured by approximately 500 members of the police, protective services, units for the protection of the president and probably also soldiers. Around 1,200 journalists from all over the world were accredited for the event. Together with the organizational team, up to 2,500 people can move around the premises of the Prague Castle.
On Friday, the closure of the Castle does not expect residents or visitors of Prague today, even in any closures, only when the delegation passes through the city they have to prepare for short-term traffic restrictions. According to the government office, approximately 250 vehicles are used to transport the leaders and their delegates, which transported them to the Prague Castle grounds from 15 different hotels where they are staying and from Václav Havel Airport, where they arrived.
Most of the policy flights were handled at the fourth terminal of the Ruzyne airport, which is managed by the Ministry of Defense and which is not used for normal flights. Some politicians who arrived in the Czech Republic via traditional routes were checked in in VIP areas. “In connection with the summit, traffic at Václav Havel Airport was not restricted in any way, traffic was smooth,” said Prague Airport spokeswoman Klára Divíšková. Delays of several years were minimal, in the order of minutes.
Another stress test for Czech organizers, police officers and airport workers will be the departure of nationals back to their homeland.