Minister of Foreign Affairs Cyril Svoboda met with the Ambassadors of EU member, acceding and candidate countries in Prague at a working luncheon on Thursday, February 12, 2004. The Minister appealed to the EU Member States that had promised to liberalize the movement of workers from new member countries as of the date of accession to honour their commitment and to refrain from taking additional measures that weaken the original pledge. The Minister also pointed out that the citizens of the Czech Republic are no threat either to the social systems or to the labour markets of other countries.

In telephone conversations with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Italy and the Netherlands, Minister Svoboda recalled and appreciated the promise of these countries to open their markets as of May 1, 2004, and called for the implementation of this step to full extent.