“Radek Pech is among our most experienced career diplomats. He takes up the role of Director General upon his return from Ukraine, where he had the opportunity to deal first-hand with today’s greatest geopolitical challenge – Russian aggression. The unity of Europe, which is the primary focus of the section he will now lead, is needed more than ever,” said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.

The outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Ukraine has served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1992. In the 1990s, he first worked in the Department of Analysis and Planning, later becoming Director of the Third Territorial Department. Over the course of his career, Radek Pech has served as ambassador in several European postings: from 1997 he headed the Czech representation in Finland and Estonia, and later served as ambassador to Romania and Moldova (2002–2006), Lithuania (2010–2014), and Denmark (2017–2023). At the MFA headquarters, he has held several director-level positions, including Head of the Department for EU Coordination and Institutions, the Department for General EU Affairs, the Minister’s Cabinet, and finally the Department for Northern and Eastern European Countries. In 2017, he became Deputy Minister’s Envoy for managing the European Section.

“Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to relations with European countries and the European Union. Europe, where the Czech Republic belongs among the medium-sized states, is our natural environment and the cornerstone of our diplomacy. In today’s complex geopolitical situation, fundamentally shaped by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, Europe is where our security and prosperity are at stake. I look forward to working with the seasoned team of professionals in the ministry’s European section,” added Director General Radek Pech.