On Friday, January 9, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed his colleague, newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Petr Macinka, to Kyiv.
The heads of the Foreign Ministries held detailed talks on a wide range of issues of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the defense sector and the further implementation of the Czech Missile Initiative.
Andrii Sybiha emphasized that this visit is a true manifestation of courage and solidarity. He noted that at night, when the Czech Foreign Minister was on his way to Kyiv, Russia carried out another brutal missile strike on Ukraine, which resulted in the deaths of civilians, damage to the Embassy of the State of Qatar, and critical infrastructure and energy facilities.
“Ukraine and the Czech Republic are united by figures who personify the struggle for freedom and dignity. This is Tomasz Masaryk, who sheltered Ukrainian emigration a hundred years ago. This is Vaclav Havel, who became a symbol of the struggle for truth and freedom. These are modern leaders and ordinary citizens who support Ukraine in the struggle for a just peace,” the Foreign Minister noted.
The Minister noted that Ukraine, together with the Czech Republic, is ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the common interests of peace, security and prosperity of the two peoples.
According to Andrii Sybiha, Prague is an important partner in the development of the Ukrainian defense industry.
“Cooperation between our companies has significant potential and direct economic and security benefits for the Czech side. We are also interested in the participation of Czech business in reconstruction projects. All this is about mutual benefit,” the Minister informed.
During the talks, Andrii Sybiha informed his colleague about the dynamics of peace efforts, contacts with the United States and European partners. Ukraine is counting on the continued active role of the Czech Republic in the peace process.
The ministers separately discussed the support of Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic. Andrii Sybiha thanked for the shelter, opportunities for work and integration, and also noted the positive contribution of Ukrainians to the Czech economy and society.
Andrii Sybiha expressed sincere gratitude to the Czech people for supporting the Ukrainian resistance from the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion.
“When we are together, we are always stronger and more successful,” the minister noted, adding that any discord only plays into Moscow's hands.
An important part of the visit was the presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the era of the UNR and the Ukrainian State, which were presented to the Czech delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in particular, documents from the Museum of the Liberation Struggle of Ukraine in Prague, which were kindly provided by the State Archives of Ukraine.
Presenting the exhibition to Czech colleagues, Andrii Sybiha emphasized that these documents testify to the long-standing diplomatic and interpersonal ties between Ukraine and the Czech Republic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the Head of the State Archives of Ukraine Anatoly Khromov and the Director of the Central State Archive of Higher Authorities and Administrations Larisa Levchenko for the search and preparation of materials for the presentation.