At meeting with French President Macron, Prime Minister Babiš appreciates the role of France in the creation of independent Czechoslovakia

On Friday, 26 October Prime Minister Andrej Babiš met French President Emmanuel Macron in the Kramář villa, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Prime Minister gave his appreciation of the role of France in the creation of an independent Czechoslovakia, but they mainly debated the present and future of the mutual relations of both countries and the European Union.

"I am very pleased to welcome President Macron to Prague as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia. For a hundred years, our relations have been truly strong and we have a functioning alliance", said Andrej Babiš, pointing to the signing of the strategic partnership concluded by the Czech Republic and France in Paris on 30 June this year. "We are glad that French companies are investing here, and that they are doing well", he said.

Both politicians also agreed that the unity of members on key issues such as Brexit and migration is important for the future of the European Union. "We want Europe to be united, for us to fight together for the interests of Europe, to solve problems together, although sometimes we may have different views on different matters”, said Prime Minister Babiš. "I am convinced that our relations are very good and will continue to develop”, added the Czech Prime Minister.

The Czech Prime Minister then invited the French President on a short tour of the Charles Bridge and to see the collection of French art in the National Gallery. The core of the collection was bought in 1923 by the state under the auspices of the first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.