“This section has a broad scope – from assisting Czech citizens abroad, through matters of international and European law, to visa and compatriot affairs. I believe the new Director General will build on the outstanding results achieved by Martin Smolek,” said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. 

Jiří Šlais is an experienced diplomat and lawyer. He has contributed to legislative proposals within the Ministry’s remit, including the Foreign Service Act, to treaty negotiations, and to the preparation of public procurement procedures, particularly in the field of consular services. He has also served as Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Protocol. During his postings abroad, he gained extensive experience both in consular service—heading the consular sections of the Consulates General in Montreal and Toronto—and in multilateral diplomacy as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe at the Permanent Mission in Strasbourg. 

“A change in the leadership of the Legal and Consular Section is taking place after ten long years, which is unique given the rotation of staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over that time, a skilled and reliable team has been built to provide legal, consular, and compatriot services, and it will be a great honour for me to lead it,” said the new Director General Jiří Šlais.