"The Middle East and Ukraine are extremely challenging destinations. That is why we are sending experts who have been professionally dedicated to these areas all their careers," said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský on the appointments. Both of them have already received agrément, i.e. approval to work in the host country.  

Andrea Kučerová has been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2005. She has worked in embassies in Estonia, Egypt and as Deputy Ambassador to India and Turkey. Currently, she is Deputy Director of the Department of Middle East and North Africa. She will take up her post in August this year. 

Luboš Veselý is the Minister Plenipotentiary for Coordination of Policy towards the Russian Federation and has been at the MFA since 2009. He previously served in embassies in Ukraine, South Africa and Russia, from where he was expelled in April 2021. Prior to joining the MFA, he worked in the non-profit sector and also in the Foreign Department of the Office of the President of the Republic during the last two years of President Václav Havel's mandate. He will take office in September, replacing Ambassador Radek Pech.