Press Advisories

11. 5. 2017 23:51

Prime Minister Sobotka meets the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, the Grand Duke and Czech compatriots in Luxembourg

Prime Minister Sobotka holds talks with Xavier Bethel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 10 May 2017.
Prime Minister Sobotka holds talks with Xavier Bethel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 10 May 2017.
On Wednesday and Thursday, 10 and 11 May Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka visited the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. During his working visit, he had talks with Prime Minister Xavier Bethel, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies M. Di Bartolomeo, and met Czech compatriots and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. Prime Minister Sobotka also held talks with SES, a pioneer in space and satellite technology, on possible cooperation with Czech companies. Prime Minister Sobotka was the first Czech Prime Minister in 16 years to visit Luxembourg for an official visit.

Prime Ministers Sobotka and Bettel discussed the future of the EU and the V4 + Benelux summit

An important subject of the discussions between the Prime Ministers was the economic cooperation of the two countries and the possibilities for its further development. Luxembourg is an important partner for the Czech Republic, particularly in the area of foreign trade and investment. Bilateral turnover was more than 384 billion euros in 2016. The sectors in which cooperation could be further developed include, for example, green technologies, renewable energy sources and information technology. Great potential for cooperation between Czech and Luxembourg companies is also offered by space and satellite technology.

Prime Minister Sobotka holds talks with Xavier Bethel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 10 May 2017.
Prime Minister Sobotka holds talks with Xavier Bethel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 10 May 2017.

 

The two prime ministers discussed current European issues and the future of the European Union. One topic of the discussion was instruments to resolve migration, the common security and defence policy, and the consequences of the UK leaving the EU. An important topic also was the forthcoming V4 + Benelux summit to be held in Warsaw on 19 June this year.

Both prime ministers confirmed the excellent relations between the two countries, which are linked by a common history. It is this year that they celebrate the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Day Two of visit to Luxembourg: meeting with the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, the Grand Duke and Czech compatriots

As part of the second day of his working visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Thursday met Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. The topic of their meeting was the future of the European Union, the relations between the Czech Republic and Luxembourg, and regional cooperation in the V4 and Benelux format.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka meets Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 11 May 2017.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka meets Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 11 May 2017.

 

Prime Minister Sobotka and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg evaluated Czech-Luxembourg relations, remembered their previous meeting in 2016 during the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the birth of Charles IV and followed up the topics discussed during that meeting.

In the morning, the Prime Minister honoured the memory of Jan Palach by laying flowers at Palach's memorial plaque in the centre of Luxembourg. He subsequently held talks with Di Bartolomeo, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies and members of the Committee of Presidents and members of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Migration. The topic of the meeting was in particular the future of the EU, migration, the common security and defence policy and international political issues.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka pays homage to the memory of Jan Palach, 11 May 2017.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka pays homage to the memory of Jan Palach, 11 May 2017.

 


The Prime Minister also visited the European Satellite Company (SES). Luxembourg is one of the superpowers in space and satellite technology, Prime Minister Sobotka held talks with the company's management on possible cooperation with Czech companies in this area.

Prime Minister Sobotka visits SES, 11 May 2017.
Prime Minister Sobotka visits SES, 11 May 2017.

Together with the Prime Minister of Luxemburg, Xavier Bethel, he opened a reception at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Luxembourg held in connection with this year’s 95th anniversary of the establishment of Czech-Luxembourg diplomatic relations, during which Prime Minister Sobotka awarded the Karel Kramář medal to František Šedý on the occasion of his 90th birthday,  for many years of service in the building and consolidation of the active Czech community in Luxembourg. The Czech Prime Minister also thanked all representatives of the Czech expatriate community for their activities and for spreading the good reputation and culture of our country abroad.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka attends a reception on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, 11 May 2017.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka attends a reception on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, 11 May 2017.

At the end of his two-day visit, Prime Minister Sobotka visited Notre-Dame Cathedral, where he paid homage at the monument of John of Luxembourg by laying a flower at his tomb.

Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka visits the Cathedral of Notre-Dame,  11 May 2017.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka visits the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, 11 May 2017.

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