Czech Republic to open five new diplomatic missions in 2013
Baku, August 16 (AZERTAC). The Czech Republic plans to open diplomatic missions in Qatar, Senegal, Burma, Sri Lanka and Colombia in the first half of 2013 at the latest, under the Foreign Ministry`s new concept that the government debated Wednesday, deputy foreign minister Jiri Schneider has said.
The form of the new missions is yet to be decided. However, they should work economically.
Moreover, Czech diplomacy plans to strengthen its missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
On the contrary, the Czech Republic will close its diplomatic missions in Luxembourg and with UNESCO in Paris.
The Czech embassy in Belgium is to be in charge of Luxembourg and the embassy in Paris will deal with the agenda of the abolished mission with UNESCO, Schneider said.
It seems that the trend of closing some Czech diplomatic missions, which the Foreign Ministry justified by savings, ends with the new concept that reckons with the extension of their network.The opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) have criticised the abolition of some embassies and consulates abroad.
The Foreign Ministry now reckons rather with a more flexible network of smaller missions that will be able to better react to the economic situation`s development abroad.
They should also better support Czech export, Karel Srol, from the Foreign Ministry`s press section, said recently.
The administration of some Czech embassies in Europe has already slimmed down.
The Foreign Ministry also wants to "get rid" of some movable and immovable assets of the Czech missions abroad and use the money saved this way to increase the number of small flexible embassies and consulates.
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