Czech Republic – a long friend of Cyprus

The Czech Republic has always supported a just solution to the Cyprus cause, in particular after the Turkish invasion in 1974, the country’s ambassador, Jan Bondy, told a members meeting of the Rotary Club of Nicosia-Aspelia.
“Known as ‘Czechoslovakia’ at the time, it was one of the first to open an embassy in Cyprus soon after independence in 1960,” Bondy said.
Regarding the current responsibility of being at the helm of the 27-member European Union from January to June, the ambassador said that “the plans of the Czech EU Presidency had initially been to strive towards making Europe stronger and bigger as a ‘Europe without barriers’. However, just after taking over the six-month presidency, the main issues became Gaza and gas troubles, as central and western Europe suffered a mini-crisis of two weeks with no gas supplies.”
As regards the promotion of the Cyprus cause at international fora, Bondy said, “[U.S.] President Barack Obama’s meeting with EU leaders in Prague on April 5 should also create good opportunities for President Demetris Christofias.”