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Report on the Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic 1998-1999

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Report on the Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic 1998-1999 Report on the Foreign Policy of the Czech Republic 1998-1999 Preface Developments in the Czech Republic are increasingly influenced by international events, and participation in international cooperation is intensifying. This creates a growing need for information about the conduct of foreign policy. In its endeavour to offer the public detailed information on Czech foreign policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic has decided to issue a “Report on the foreign policy of the Czech Republic between July 1998 and December 1999”. This is the first time a Report has been drawn up in such a way and in such a comprehensive form. This is an effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respond to new conditions and requirements. The Report offers a straightforward and clear view of Czech foreign policy during the period under review. It has been conceived in such a way as to make it easier for readers to find their bearings in the extensive factual material. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to issue similar Reports in the years to come, thus establishing a new tradition with the aim of bringing foreign policy closer to every citizen of the Czech Republic. Jan Kavan Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Contents Introduction I. Multilateral cooperation 1. Summary information on multilateral cooperation 2. The Czech Republic and the European Union 3. The Czech Republic and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 4. The Czech Republic and regional cooperation Visegrad cooperation Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) The Central European Initiative (CEI) and the Stability Pact for South East Europe 5. The Czech Republic and other European institutions OSCE Western European Union Council of Europe 6. The Czech Republic and international organizations The UN and its associated organizations WTO, OECD Other major international organizations 7. Disarmament and arms control 8. Development and Humanitarian Aid II. Bilateral Relations of the Czech Republic 1. Summary information on bilateral relations 2. Relations of the Czech Republic with the Central European countries Slovak Republic Republic of Poland Federal Republic of Germany Republic of AustriaRepublic of Hungary Republic of Slovenia Swiss Confederation The Principality of Liechtenstein 3. Relations of the Czech Republic with NATO and NATO member States Kingdom of Belgium Kingdom of Denmark Republic of Finland French Republic Ireland Republic of Iceland Italian Republic Canada Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom of Norway Portuguese Republic Hellenic Republic United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Spain Sweden Republic of Turkey 4. Relations with the Baltic States Republic of Estonia Republic of Lithuania Republic of Latvia 5. Relations Between the Czech Republic and the Holy See Holy See 6. Relations Between the Czech Republic and the Eastern and south-eastern European countries Republic of Albania Republic of Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic of Bulgaria FYROM – The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Republic of Croatia Republic of Kazakhstan Republic of Cyprus Republic of Malta Republic of Moldova Romania Russian Federation Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Ukraine The Republic of Uzbekistan Kyrgyz Republic, The Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan Republic of Armenia, The Azerbaijan Republic, Georgia 7. Relations Between the Czech Republic and the countries of Asia and the Pacific area Commonwealth of Australia People’s Republic of China Republic of the Philippines Republic of India Republic of Indonesia Islamic State of Afghanistan Japan Kingdom of Cambodia Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Republic of Korea Lao People’s Democratic Republic Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar New Zealand Islamic Republic of Pakistan Republic of Singapore Kingdom of Thailand Socialist Republic of Vietnam 8. Relations Between the Czech Republic and the countries of the near east and north Africa Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria Arab Republic of Egypt Republic of Iraq Islamic Republic of Iran Republic of Yemen Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Lebanese Republic Kingdom of Morocco Islamic Republic of Mauritania United Arab Emirates The State of Bahrain State of Israel The State of Qatar State of Kuwait Republic of Sudan The Sultanate of Oman Syrian Arab Republic Republic of Tunisia Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya State of Palestine 9. Relations Between the Czech Republic and Sub-Saharan African countries The Republic of Angola Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Republic of Ghana Republic of South Africa Republic of Kenya Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of Liberia Republic of Mauritius Republic of Namibia Federal Republic of Nigeria Republic of Côte d’Ivoire Republic of Senegal Republic of Sierra Leone Republic of Zimbabwe 10. Relations with countries in Latin America Argentine Republic Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Republic of Bolivia Federative Republic of Brazil Republic of Ecuador Republic of Chile Republic of Colombia Republic of Cuba Republic of Paraguay Republic of Peru United Mexican States Eastern Republic of Uruguay Central American Countries (Republic of Costa Rica, Republic of Guatemala, The Republic of El Salvador, The Republic of Honduras, Republic of Panama, Republic of Nicaragua, Belize) III. The Economic Dimension of Czech Foreign policy IV. Human rights and the foreign policy of the Czech republic V. Foreign cultural policy of the Czech Republic 1. The presentation of the Czech Republic and its culture abroad 2. Media and information 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website 4. Foreign language broadcasts on Czech Radio 5. Czech Centres VI. Expatriates VII. Legal and consular dimension of the czech foreign policy A. Dimension of international law B. Consular dimension of Czech Foreign Policy VIII. The czech foreign service 1. Career systems, personnel policy 2. The Diplomatic Academy 3. Budget of the Mimistry of Foreign Affairs; operational tasks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs APPENDIX Introduction In 1999 Czech foreign policy was based on the Government’s policy statement of August 1998 and on the Concept of Foreign Policy, which was approved by the Government in February 1999 and noted by the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in June 1999. This was the first time that a comprehensive document of this kind had been published. In line with this document, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the main executive and legislative governmental authority in the field of foreign policy, emphasised its major priorities – incorporation of the Czech Republic in the European Union, membership of the Czech Republic in the North Atlantic Alliance, good and stable relations with neighbouring states, and regional cooperation. The Ministry also paid more attention to external economic relations. In 1998–1999, a number of positive results were achieved in implementing the tasks arising from the Government’s policy statement. The Czech Republic tried to pursue an active foreign policy within the limits of its possibilities. It made use of its position in international organizations as well as of the quality of the bilateral relations it had achieved with other countries, and in this way helped to create international conditions for internal political stability, and for the security and prosperity of its citizens. For this, the Czech Republic had the necessary prerequisites. In 1999 it was a member of 56 inter-governmental organizations and had diplomatic relations with 176 states. It had 112 representative offices abroad. The year 1999 went down in the history of Czech foreign policy as one of radical changes in the political and security position of the Czech Republic. On the basis of the decision of the Madrid NATO summit in 1997, and following the completion of the ratification process in the member states, the Czech Republic, together with Poland and Hungary, was ceremoniously admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on 12. March 1999. The Czech Republic became a full member of the most significant political and security organization in the world. For the first time in its history, it obtained effective security guarantees of its existence while, in accordance with the North Atlantic Treaty, it took upon itself its share of responsibility in ensuring the security of its NATO allies. This introduced new dimensions – European and Trans-Atlantic – in Czech policy as well as in the perception of the interests of the state. Accession to NATO meant that one of the priority objectives of Czech foreign policy had been accomplished. Following admission to NATO, the representatives of the Czech Republic stated the determination of their country to act as a responsible and reliable ally, and to continue to work for more profound and effective participation in the work of the Alliance. The Czech Republic joined NATO’s integrated military structure and all its political and military bodies, institutions and agencies. Membership in the Alliance introduced considerable changes in the Czech Republic’s system of external relations. Bilateral relations with eighteen states in Europe and North America became alliance relations, the factor of common interests and common responsibilities, especially in the field of security, now becoming an integral component. Thanks to thorough preparatory work, the Czech Republic has been able to carry out all the commitments arising from the North Atlantic Treaty from the day of its admission to NATO. The process of adapting the legislation of the Czech Republic to the regulations and treaties in force within NATO was inaugurated. Membership in NATO, moreover, underscored the need to accelerate the transformation of the Czech army and has increased opportunities for cooperation in the defence industries and in other related spheres. The NATO military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was launched on 24. March 1999, shortly after the admission of the Czech Republic to NATO. This was aimed at putting a stop to the extensive ethnic cleansing being carried out by the Miloševiè regime in Kosovo, and to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the area.
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