"In its programme declaration, our government committed itself to supporting modernisation and increasing the competitiveness of the Czech Republic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing to this goal in particular by supporting Czech research, development and innovation abroad. In the past year, we have therefore integrated the agenda of scientific diplomacy into the work of our diplomatic network and we will continue to strive for greater links between Czech science and the world," emphasised First Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozák at the beginning of the meeting with diplomats. Deputy Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Jana Havlíková also confirmed this priority for the current term of the Government.

Chief Director Kateřina Sequensová presented the MFA's tools to support the internationalisation of Czech research, development and innovation. She offered possibilities of cooperation with the network of Czech embassies to connect institutions with their foreign partners. The most visible tool to connect Czech research and academic institutions with foreign countries are the projects to support economic diplomacy (PROPED). Czech embassies plan to organise over forty of them this year in the field of ICT, research, development, innovation and education.

Within the framework of scientific diplomacy, the MFA also supports universities and top research centres. These institutions were represented at the meeting by Miroslav Lávička, Rector of the University of West Bohemia, and Michal Otyepka, Head of the Czech Institute of Research and Advanced Technologies CATRIN-RCPTM at Palacký University in Olomouc. "We perceive the role of the MFA as crucial for the successful presentation of Czech science results abroad and networking with our partners not only in developed but also in developing countries," added Lávička.

The MFA's science diplomacy activities include supporting doctoral and post-doctoral studies in Czechia and recruiting researchers to scientific institutions across regions.