Prime Minister met with the President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer to discuss transport infrastructure and cross-border cooperation

On Tuesday the 12th of April 2016 in Hrzánský Palace, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka met the President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer, who visited the Czech Republic at the invitation of President Miloš Zeman. Together, they discussed current European issues, the development of cross-border cooperation, transport infrastructure and mutual trade. Another topic of the meeting, which was also attended by Education Minister Kateřina Valachová, was cooperation in the field of education.

One of the main topics of the meeting was cooperation in the area of transportation infrastructure. In particular, the D52 motorway connecting Brno-Mikulov and Vienna and the D3 Prague-České Budějovice-Linz and the modernization of the Prague-Linz and Brno-Vienna railway lines.

“Completion of the highways and modernization of the railways is a high priority for the Czech Republic. I am pleased that cooperation and the exchange of experience were established in addition to the regular contacts between Czech and Austrian Ministries. The Czech Republic has a great interest in modernizing the railway tracks even on the Austrian side”, said Prime Minister Sobotka after the meeting.

The two statesmen also discussed the issue of migration. They agreed that the common interest is to preserve the Schengen area of free movement of persons. To fulfill this priority, it is important to strengthen the protection of external borders, to have a more effective return policy and support the states that face the greatest pressure.

Another topic of discussion was cooperation in the area of education. The project entitled Czech-Austrian history textbooks should begin in 2017. The aim is to identify key events and personalities of common history and present a Czech and Austrian view on them.

"I strongly feel the importance of this project, especially for the younger generation, who do not immediately remember the turbulent relations between our countries. I appreciate the work of the team of the Permanent Commission of Czech and Austrian historians who successfully continue in its implementation”, said Prime Minister Sobotka.

Austria is one of the most important economic partners of the Czech Republic. It is the sixth most important export market with a share of 4.3% of total Czech exports. There are about 1,500 Austrian firms active on the Czech market, and about 300 Czech companies operating in Austria.

The Federal President of Austria Heinz Fischer arrived in Prague on his final state visit to the Czech Republic to say goodbye after his 12 year tenure. Prime Minister Sobotka with the Austrian Federal President Fischer met during a business trip to Austria in 2014 and then in Prague in July 2014.