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10. 3. 201015:51

European Affairs Minister praises EU ambassador Vicenová

Prague Daily Monitor, 10.3. 2010

ČTK | 10 March 2010 - Cooperation with Czech EU ambassador Milena Vicenova is very good, Czech European Affairs Minister Juraj Chmiel said about the speculations that Vicenova may be dismissed for incompetence that was published by the weekly Respekt on Monday.

Respekt wrote that Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout wanted to propose to the government that it dismiss her.

Prime Minister Jan Fischer said the cabinet had not discussed the idea.

"I consider the media speculations about Vicenova's expertise extremely unsuitable and I absolutely dismiss them," Chmiel's office cited him Tuesday.

On Monday, Kohout, too, dismissed the information that Vicenova should be sacked over doubts about her capabilities.

Kohout, now on an African tour, said replacement of ambassadors is a standard issue in all democratic countries and it is decided on by the government and the president.

He told CTK that he does not want to make a political issue of personnel changes, especially ahead of the May elections.

Prime Minister Jan Fischer said the Czech cabinet did not deal with the issue.

Respekt writes that Kohout is to propose Vicenova's dismissal to the caretaker government at the turn of March and April.

He would like to replace her by Hana Mottlova, current ambassador in Greece, the weekly writes, citing sources close to Kohout.

The Social Democrats (CSSD) and the Civic Democrats (ODS) confirmed his intention to sack Vicenova, Respekt writes.

While the ODS said it was against the step, the CSSD nodded to it, the weekly writes.