Press Advisories

5. 11. 201619:43

Prime Minister Sobotka Met With Prime Ministers Of Latvia, Croatia And Macedonia Before The 16+1 Summit in Riga

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka met with the prime ministers of Latvia, Croatia and Macedonia on Saturday, 5 November, on the occasion of the summit between 16 prime ministers of Central and Easter European countries and the People’s Republic of China in Riga, Latvia.

Prime Minister spoke to Latvia Prime Minister Maris Kučinskis about economic cooperation and the promising growth of mutual trade. Both prime ministers agreed that they see future prospects for instance in the segment of railway infrastructure construction. Other topics of conversation included cooperation in regional defence and security, in particular the participation of Czech air forces in the joint NATO mission in the Baltics, and the current European situation in the context of Brexit.

Prime Minister Sobotka also met with new Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. They too spoke about mutual trade and investment cooperation, which has been developing successfully in recent years, even in the context of intensive tourism exchange. Another topic of discussion was the future expansion of the European Union to include western Balkan countries.

The meeting between Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and current Macedonian Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev took place primarily in connection to the police cooperation and humanitarian aid that the Czech Republic provides to Macedonia to help the country protect its borders and prevent illegal migration. There are currently 40 police officers in Macedonia, who will remain on the Macedonian borders until 19 December. The Czech Republic has already sent humanitarian aid in the past, in the form of material supplies and financial assistance worth CZK 30 mn. Prime Minister Sobotka assured Prime Minister Dimitriev that the Czech Republic is prepared to continue helping Macedonia, and will also appeal to the EU in this spirit.