The Czech Republic has invoked international responsibility of the Russian Federation for Vrbětice
28.06.2021 / 15:53 | Aktualizováno: 02.03.2023 / 15:59
On June 28, 2021, Mr. Martin Smolek, the Deputy Minister for Legal and Consular Section, summoned H.E. Mr. Alexander Zmeyevskiy, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, in order to raise two current open international law issues in the bilateral relations between both States.
First, Deputy Minister Smolek transmitted to the Russian Ambassador a note verbale invoking the responsibility of the Russian Federation under international law for its involvement in the explosions of ammunitions depot in Vrbětice in 2014, requesting full reparation for the injury caused by this internationally wrongful act and inviting the Russian side to enter into negotiations in this matter.
Second, Deputy Minister Smolek informed the Russian Ambassador that the decree, issued by the Russian Government on April 23, 2021, and followed by the list of "unfriendly States" (i.e., the Czech Republic and United States) on May 13, 2021, constitutes a violation of international law, specifically of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (in particular of the obligation not to discriminate as between States) and the Treaty between the Czech Republic and Russian Federation on Friendly Relations and Cooperation, and as such, the decree should be revoked.