Press Advisories

24. 3. 201611:09

Deputy Prime Minister Bělobrádek delivers a speech for the Václav Havel Initiative in Miami

The Czech Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Pavel Bělobrádek visited Florida International University in Miami on 22 March. Speaking before a large audience at the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs for the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy, Pavel Bělobrádek spoke about human rights. Later on that day, he participated in the Miami-Dade International Trade Promotion, which organized a business seminar focusing on investment opportunities in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Deputy Prime Minister begun his speech at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at the Florida International University by asking the audience to observe a minute of silence for victims of the Brussels terrorist attacks. “I strongly believe that despite the current chaos and mistakes that may be accompanying this chaos, freedom will prevail as an universal value. There is only one freedom, and freedom is a road which all human being long to take regardless of the culture they come from,“ said the Deputy Prime Minister in his speech. The former Czech Ambassador to the USA Mr Martin Palouš, who is currently lecturing at the FIU, acted as the host for the Czech delegation at the SIPA. The Deputy Prime Minister then talked to the management of the Florida International University, chiefly on topics relating to setting up research financing. Florida University is interested in mutual student exchanges and admissions for post-graduate students.

The Miami-Dade International Trade Promotion hosted a number of presentations by Czech enterprises for the Florida business leaders. “The Czech business delegation which I brought along for this official visit represents the highest quality among Czech businesses. I am proud to come from a country that has a lot to offer to even such a demanding market as the United States. Czech Republic may not be able to manufacture or provide, due to its size, such a broad range of products or services as the United States, but when the Czechs do something, they do it very well,“ emphasized Bělobrádek. The Deputy Prime Minister also called onto Florida investors not to be afraid to invest venture capital in the Czech Republic as the country, same as any other small country, feels lack of investment into new projects, start-ups and ground-breaking technologies.