He also pointed out the long-term friendly relations between our two countries and the intention to further develop them. In this context, he referenced the 30 000 strong Czech community living in Australia, most of whom are located in Sydney. Minister Jan Lipavský also acknowledged the renewal of the parliamentary friends of the EU group in the Legislative Council of the Parliament of New South Wales as a milestone in the development of mutual relations.

Following this, Minister Jan Lipavský officially opened a business seminar organised in collaboration between Business NSW and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Sydney. Both Australian and Czech entrepreneurs took part in the seminar, along with representatives of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic and Business NSW. In his opening speech, Minister Jan Lipavský highlighted the significance of the seminar as a valuable step in deepening economic, scientific and technological collaboration, both bilaterally and in the wider Indo-Pacific region. Minister Jan Lipavský emphasised the role of the Czech Republic as an industrialised country in the EU excelling in the fields of engineering, energy, medical supplies and the automobile industry, and highlighted the important role NSW plays in the research and development across fields such as cybernetics, space, defence technologies, renewable energy. The seminar was a unique opportunity for Czech businesses to present their business intentions and network with Australian partners.  

Minister Jan Lipavský also visited the State Operations Centre NSW, where he became thoroughly acquainted with the workings of the most modern units of the Australian emergency response system, which plays a pivotal role in the fight against fires, floods, and other natural catastrophes. This very centre was central in the fight against the Covid 19 pandemic.

In the evening, Minister Jan Lipavský met with the local Czech community at Sokol Sydney. During his speech for compatriots in Sydney, he mentioned upcoming changes that will affect Czechs living overseas, especially postal voting, an amendment to the Citizenship Law which aims to undo injustices stemming from the times of the communist regime, and the gradual digitalisation of consular services. The head of Czech diplomacy also presented representatives of Sokol a soccer jersey from the club Bohemians Praha as a homage to the legendary tour of the soccer club Bohemians from the 20s of last century. He then replied to a range of questions from the audience. Among other things, compatriots were interested in postal voting, the situation in the Ukraine or collaboration between V4 countries.

Cover image: Minister Lipavský with the President of the Legislative Council of the Parliament of NSW Ben Franklin, Australian MPs and other representatives of the Parliament of NSW.