"The past year has brought a number of new moments - some of which have changed our view of the world, some of which have only highlighted trends of which we have been aware for some time. The elections to the European Parliament and the votes in some countries close to us have clearly shown that European society is further polarising," said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský in his speech at the beginning of the meeting (https://mzv.gov.cz/jnp/cz/o_ministerstvu/archivy/clanky_a_projevy_ministru/clanky_a_projevy_ministra/projev_ministra_zahranicnich_veci_na.html). 

During the first day of the meeting, Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe journalist who was released from a Russian prison in early August as part of an international prisoner exchange, also addressed the heads of embassies via video greeting. "Thank you for your efforts and support for allowing me to embrace my children freely again. Think of other political prisoners, stand up for them as you did for me," Alsa Kurmasheva acknowledged the international efforts that led to the release of not only her, but also others unjustly sentenced by the Russian regime. 

"An independent, sovereign Czechia is unthinkable in a world governed by the law of might makes right, where the UN Charter and international law are just a piece of paper. The pillars of a democratic world include basic human rights documents.  That is why active and practical support for human rights defenders, journalists and civil society is the very essence of Czech foreign policy," Minister Lipavský said. 

The main topic of the meeting is the situation in Ukraine. "The primary Czech national interest remains the triumph of Ukraine, the containment of Russia and the preservation of the principles of the UN Charter. This was true two and a half years ago and it is still true today. Should Putin win, the security, stability and prosperity of Czechia will suffer greatly. It must be emphasised over and over again that sacrificing Ukraine to Russia will not secure peace; on the contrary, it will recklessly jeopardise our security and the economic consequences will undeniably be more dramatic. Unfortunately, many politicians in Europe and Czechia refuse to see this fact, which is quite understandable to many, and are chasing short-term political points with zero responsibility for the future," said the head of Czech diplomacy. 

Other members of the government - Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade, Marek Ženíšek, Minister of Science, Research and Innovation and Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport - also spoke before the ambassadors this year. 

During the meeting, 118 ambassadors, consuls general and consuls will discuss not only current foreign policy issues, but also the promotion of human rights, improving consular services to Czech citizens and economic diplomacy. The meeting will last until Thursday 29 August 2024. The heads of embassies will also meet with senators and the President.