Minister Lipavský expressed his gratitude to the laureates for their outstanding work on behalf of Czechia, in the interest of deepening friendly relations between our country and other nations, and in the interest of strengthening the prestige of Czechia abroad. In addition to the laureates, their relatives, and guests, the ceremony was attended by diplomatic representatives of the selected countries. 

Recipients of the "Medal of Merit for Diplomacy" 2025: 

• Petr Brod, Czechia - for his lifetime contribution to democracy and human rights; 

• Tomislav Delinić, Czechia/Germany - for his significant contribution to the deepening of Czech-German relations; 

• Dialogue in the Middle of Europe - Bernard Bolzano Society, z.s. - for his outstanding contribution to deepening peaceful dialogue in Europe and the world. The Medal was received by the Vice-Chairman Mr. Mojmír Jeřábek and the Managing Director Mr. Mikuláš Zvánovec;  

• Vít Dostál, Czechia - for his long-term contribution to Czech foreign policy and international relations; 

• Martin Hála, Czechia - for his long-term contribution to Czech foreign policy and international relations; 

• Ivana Hlavsová, Czechia - for her outstanding contribution to the building of post-Soviet diplomacy and foreign policy and for the development of relations with the countries of Southern and South-Eastern Europe in particular; 

• Ivana Hrdličková, Czechia - for outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights in the world; 

• Michal Koudelka, Czechia - for his significant contribution to strengthening Czech and European security; 

• David Michel, Germany - for his fundamental contribution to the development of above-standard Czech-Saxon and Czech-German relations; 

• Tetiana Okopna, Czechia/Ukraine - for her outstanding contribution to the development of Czech-Ukrainian relations; 

• Post Bellum, z.ú. - Memory of the Nation Project, Czechia - for outstanding contribution to the preservation of the nation's memory and democratic traditions. The medal was received by the director Mikuláš Kroupa; 

• Ludmila Rakusanova, Czechia - for her extraordinary and lifelong contribution to the consolidation of democracy and freedom of speech; 

• Jaroslav Rudiš, Czechia/Germany - for his significant contribution to the development of Czech-German cultural relations; 

• László Szigeti, Slovakia - for lifetime contribution to the development of Czech-Slovak relations;  

• Radek Špicar, Czechia - for his significant contribution to strengthening the international position of the Czech Republic, especially in the field of trade;  

• Milena Vicenová, Czechia - for her significant contribution to Czech diplomacy. 

Minister Lipavský also awarded the Medal of Merit for Diplomacy to Hana Ripková - for her long-standing contribution to the improvement of Czech-American relations and the promotion of democracy, and to Jana Robinson - for her outstanding contribution to European and global security. Both ladies will receive their awards on another occasion. Also awarded was former Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg - for his outstanding contribution to the development of  Czech-Austrian relations. Mr Schallenberg has apologised for work reasons and will receive the medal on another occasion. 

 

Medal of Merit for Diplomacy