Czech diplomatic chief held meetings with ministers of Canada, USA, Denmark and the United Kingdom
31.05.2024 / 06:48 | Aktualizováno: 31.05.2024 / 16:39
On the sidelines of the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers held in Prague on 30-31 May 2024, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský held talks with the Foreign Minister of Canada and his counterparts from the United States, Denmark and the United Kingdom.
On 30 May, Minister Lipavský met with Canadian Minister Melania Joly. "Czechia and Canada are Ukraine's staunchest supporters in all areas. Canada is also involved in the Czech ammunition initiative and I am very grateful for that," said the Czech diplomatic chief. He and the Canadian minister also discussed the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which Canada co-chairs.
This was followed by a meeting with Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken, during which the ministers also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Global Engagement Center (under the US Department of State) to combat disinformation (Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský Held Talks with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic (gov.cz)).
Later in the afternoon, Minister Lipavský also met with his Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The Ministers agreed on the need to continue strong support to Ukraine and to increase NATO's own defence capabilities. "Denmark is an important partner and ally for Czechia in all areas of our interests. I very much appreciate Denmark's role in the initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine and the role that both our countries are playing together in other projects," said Minister Lipavský.
Thursday's programme ended with a meeting between Minister Jan Lipavský and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Cameron. The Ministers confirmed that the two countries are among the closest allies within NATO. There is also agreement on the consistent enforcement of sanctions against Russia. Both Ministers noted that the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland would be another opportunity to increase pressure on Russia from the international community and stressed the importance of engaging with the Global South. "The objectives of the Czechia and the UK in this region are virtually identical, particularly in terms of its resilience and security. Our two countries' support for Ukraine will continue for as long as it is needed," said Minister Lipavský.
