Czech President Vaclav Klaus said that he was adamant the Irish voters will reject the European Union's Lisbon treaty. That would mean that as a fierce Euro sceptic he would not have to sign the reform pact.
The upper and lower houses of Czech parliament have approved the treaty but the Czech President has been hesitant to sign it. French President Sarkozy warned of Klaus' footdragging last week.
Heading the Czech delegation in the UN General Assembly in New York, Václav Klaus is spoke to international reporters about the Lisbon agreement. When asked how long he planned to wait, he gave a somewhat unclear answer.
"I don't have anything to say about that but I think the Lisbon agreement will be rejected by the Irish referendum, so I'm not worried about it. You shouldn't worry about it either," he told the journalists.
Klaus then declined to say what he would do if Irish voters approved the Lisbon treaty. Moreover, some Czech senators are poised to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court. That could mean further delay.
The the 27-member bloc was plunged into disarray last year when the Irish said No to the treaty. If the Lisbon treaty fails to win the backing of Irish voters again, it could kill the pact.
German President Horst Koehler signed the treaty on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that British Conservative Party leader David Cameron sent a letter to Klaus assuring him that the Conservatives would call a referendum on the Lisbon treaty after their expected election victory if Klaus delayed its signing on behalf of Prague.
Friday 25 September 2009
Friday 18 September 2009
Pope prepares for tour of Czech Republic
Pope Benedict XVI will be accompanied by a 29-member group of the Vatican representatives, including Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and people from the International Catholic Centre, as well as up to 70 journalists on his visit to the Czech Republic.
The Pope will arrive in the Czech Republic on Saturday, September 26. On Sunday morning, September 27, he will celebrate a mass for tens of thousands of pilgrims at the Brno-Turany airport.
The Vatican also confirmed that Benedict XVI would spend two nights in the Czech Republic in the seat of the Vatican diplomatic mission in Prague, Federico Lombardi, spokesman for the Vatican state secretariat, told CTK.
Two bulletproof "papa-mobiles" (cars specially adjusted for the Pope) were sent to the Czech Republic two weeks ahead of the visit. A Czech policeman is to drive them.
Hundreds of Czech policemen will protect the Pope during his three-day visit to the Czech Republic on September 26-28. The security measures are to be as tight as during the April visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to Prague.
On September 28, the day of St Wenceslas, patron Saint of Bohemia, the Pope will celebrate a public mass in Stara Boleslav, central Bohemia, where St Wenceslas died a martyr death in 935. Czech church and political representatives are preparing various gifts for the Pope that will be presented at a press conference in Brno.
This is the first time a Pope has visited the Czech Republic for 12 years. The predecessor of Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, visited the Czech Republic in 1995 and 1997, and in 1990 he paid a visit to the former Czechoslovakia.
The Pope will arrive in the Czech Republic on Saturday, September 26. On Sunday morning, September 27, he will celebrate a mass for tens of thousands of pilgrims at the Brno-Turany airport.
The Vatican also confirmed that Benedict XVI would spend two nights in the Czech Republic in the seat of the Vatican diplomatic mission in Prague, Federico Lombardi, spokesman for the Vatican state secretariat, told CTK.
Two bulletproof "papa-mobiles" (cars specially adjusted for the Pope) were sent to the Czech Republic two weeks ahead of the visit. A Czech policeman is to drive them.
Hundreds of Czech policemen will protect the Pope during his three-day visit to the Czech Republic on September 26-28. The security measures are to be as tight as during the April visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to Prague.
On September 28, the day of St Wenceslas, patron Saint of Bohemia, the Pope will celebrate a public mass in Stara Boleslav, central Bohemia, where St Wenceslas died a martyr death in 935. Czech church and political representatives are preparing various gifts for the Pope that will be presented at a press conference in Brno.
This is the first time a Pope has visited the Czech Republic for 12 years. The predecessor of Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, visited the Czech Republic in 1995 and 1997, and in 1990 he paid a visit to the former Czechoslovakia.
Monday 14 September 2009
Zero fraud in Czech Republic
Decide for yourself which is true, but the cold hard facts are that there were only 1,970 counterfeit coins and bank notes seized in all of the Czech Republic during the first six months of 2009. This is 116 forged coins and notes less than the number seized one year earlier. Is law enforcement simply not doing its job, or are the counterfeiters bypassing the Czech Republic for greener pastures?
The number of bad coins and notes seized includes 319 fake euros and $91 in U.S. currency, presumable in bank note format. According to the Czech National Bank, the number of Czech korun (The CNB refers to the denomination as "crowns.") and European Union euros decreased, while the US dollar value increased.
This statistic does not include 1,405 "imitations" utilizing film props, teaching aids, and advertising copy individuals tried to pass as genuine Czech currency. The number of such "imitations" seized increased from only 98 pieces during 2008.
Even with the imitations added into the totals the number of counterfeit coins and notes seized the totals are paltry, considering that there were more than 3 billion koruna in coins and bank notes in circulation at face value at the end of 2008, according to CNB statistics. And, while the face value of the koruna in circulation has been increasing throughout the past several years the number of counterfeit or altered coins and bank notes seized peaked at 10,829 pieces in 2003 and has been generally trending downward ever since.
One reason counterfeiters may be putting their efforts elsewhere may be that the Czech Republic suspended its plan to join the EU's currency union in 2007 due to domestic opposition to the currency merger. Prior to that date the Czech Republic had planned to adopt the euro in 2012.
The Czech Republic and Republic of Slovakia were born from the remains of former Czechoslovakia at the time of the demise of the Soviet Union and its Iron Curtain satellite nations. During early 1993 100-, 500, and 1,000-korun Czechoslovakia bank notes began to circulate with adhesive stamps affixed to them indicating they were legal tender in the fledgling Czech Republic. Lower denomination Czechoslovakia notes also circulated, but without being re-designated in some form.
All Czech Republic coins depict a heraldic lion on the obverse, with the denomination on the reverse. Prominent Czech's appear in vignettes on the front of each bank note, with abstract designs on the back.
The number of bad coins and notes seized includes 319 fake euros and $91 in U.S. currency, presumable in bank note format. According to the Czech National Bank, the number of Czech korun (The CNB refers to the denomination as "crowns.") and European Union euros decreased, while the US dollar value increased.
This statistic does not include 1,405 "imitations" utilizing film props, teaching aids, and advertising copy individuals tried to pass as genuine Czech currency. The number of such "imitations" seized increased from only 98 pieces during 2008.
Even with the imitations added into the totals the number of counterfeit coins and notes seized the totals are paltry, considering that there were more than 3 billion koruna in coins and bank notes in circulation at face value at the end of 2008, according to CNB statistics. And, while the face value of the koruna in circulation has been increasing throughout the past several years the number of counterfeit or altered coins and bank notes seized peaked at 10,829 pieces in 2003 and has been generally trending downward ever since.
One reason counterfeiters may be putting their efforts elsewhere may be that the Czech Republic suspended its plan to join the EU's currency union in 2007 due to domestic opposition to the currency merger. Prior to that date the Czech Republic had planned to adopt the euro in 2012.
The Czech Republic and Republic of Slovakia were born from the remains of former Czechoslovakia at the time of the demise of the Soviet Union and its Iron Curtain satellite nations. During early 1993 100-, 500, and 1,000-korun Czechoslovakia bank notes began to circulate with adhesive stamps affixed to them indicating they were legal tender in the fledgling Czech Republic. Lower denomination Czechoslovakia notes also circulated, but without being re-designated in some form.
All Czech Republic coins depict a heraldic lion on the obverse, with the denomination on the reverse. Prominent Czech's appear in vignettes on the front of each bank note, with abstract designs on the back.
Monday 7 September 2009
Czech Philharmonic starts with new chief conductor Inbal
The Czech Philharmonic (CF), the country's most prestigious orchestra, opened its 114th season Saturday by a concert titled Homage to Czech Music under the baton of its new chief conductor Eliahu Inbal, renowned British conductor of Israeli origin.
Inbal, with the CF and pianist Gerhard Oppitz, performed the piano concerto in G minor by Antonin Dvorak, Parabolas for a big orchestra by Bohuslav Martinu and the Taras Bulba rhapsody by Leos Janacek.
The post of CF chief conductor remained vacant in the past two years as the previous chief conductor, Zdenek Macal, left the post early. Inbal, 73, is to lead the CF for three years. He said he wants to preserve the orchestra's top quality, mainly by staging more frequent rehearsals and concerts.
He wants to focus on works by Czech composers, such as Martinu, who has the 50th death anniversary this year, and to cultivate the orchestra's traditional "music language."
Inbal has worked with a number of world orchestras. At present he is the music director of Venice's La Fenice theatre. Last spring he became chief conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.
Inbal was chosen to the post by the CF's former management headed by director Vaclav Riedlbauch. The new CF director, Vladimir Darjanin, sought a change to the decision but failed. Nevertheless, he has already started searching for Inbal's successor.
Inbal, with the CF and pianist Gerhard Oppitz, performed the piano concerto in G minor by Antonin Dvorak, Parabolas for a big orchestra by Bohuslav Martinu and the Taras Bulba rhapsody by Leos Janacek.
The post of CF chief conductor remained vacant in the past two years as the previous chief conductor, Zdenek Macal, left the post early. Inbal, 73, is to lead the CF for three years. He said he wants to preserve the orchestra's top quality, mainly by staging more frequent rehearsals and concerts.
He wants to focus on works by Czech composers, such as Martinu, who has the 50th death anniversary this year, and to cultivate the orchestra's traditional "music language."
Inbal has worked with a number of world orchestras. At present he is the music director of Venice's La Fenice theatre. Last spring he became chief conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.
Inbal was chosen to the post by the CF's former management headed by director Vaclav Riedlbauch. The new CF director, Vladimir Darjanin, sought a change to the decision but failed. Nevertheless, he has already started searching for Inbal's successor.
Tuesday 1 September 2009
Radoslav Kovac added to Czech squad
Midfielder Radoslav Kovac of West Ham United has replaced the injured Jaroslav Polak in the Czech squad ahead of key 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and San Marino.
Polak sustained a knee injury playing for Anderlecht and has been left out of the squad by coach Ivan Hasek on Monday. Hasek called up the 29-year old Kovac to replace him. Kovac recently joined West Ham United from Spartak Moscow on a three-year contract.
The Czechs are fifth in Group 3 with eight points from six games, seven behind leader Slovakia. It will be Hasek's first match in charge since taking over the Czech side last month as coach for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Polak sustained a knee injury playing for Anderlecht and has been left out of the squad by coach Ivan Hasek on Monday. Hasek called up the 29-year old Kovac to replace him. Kovac recently joined West Ham United from Spartak Moscow on a three-year contract.
The Czechs are fifth in Group 3 with eight points from six games, seven behind leader Slovakia. It will be Hasek's first match in charge since taking over the Czech side last month as coach for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Monday 17 August 2009
German government to buy Embassy in Prague
The German embassy in Prague, a haven for East Germans during the final weeks of the Communist regime, may be bought by the country’s government.
Palais Lobkowicz, owned by the Czech government, may be swapped for a property in Berlin, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner said today. The embassy has been “an important part of our history” since thousands of East Germans camped out on the grounds in 1989 seeking passage to West Germany, he said.
The German and Czech governments will discuss the transaction when the building has been appraised, Ploetner said. The property swap may involve the Czech government taking ownership of the former U.S. Embassy in Berlin, which is now empty, he said.
On Sept. 30, 1989, West German Foreign Minister Hans- Dietrich Genscher announced from the embassy’s balcony to thousands of East Germans that their communist government was letting them go to the West. Less than two months later, the Berlin Wall fell.
The embassy is in Prague’s Mala Strana district, one of the city’s best-preserved and most expensive locations. The U.S. embassy is about 200 meters (219 yards) away.
Palais Lobkowicz, owned by the Czech government, may be swapped for a property in Berlin, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner said today. The embassy has been “an important part of our history” since thousands of East Germans camped out on the grounds in 1989 seeking passage to West Germany, he said.
The German and Czech governments will discuss the transaction when the building has been appraised, Ploetner said. The property swap may involve the Czech government taking ownership of the former U.S. Embassy in Berlin, which is now empty, he said.
On Sept. 30, 1989, West German Foreign Minister Hans- Dietrich Genscher announced from the embassy’s balcony to thousands of East Germans that their communist government was letting them go to the West. Less than two months later, the Berlin Wall fell.
The embassy is in Prague’s Mala Strana district, one of the city’s best-preserved and most expensive locations. The U.S. embassy is about 200 meters (219 yards) away.
Friday 7 August 2009
Starbucks eyes Czech Republic, Poland
Starbucks Corp. plans to at least double the number of outlets in the Czech Republic and Poland in five years as those countries recover from the economic slowdown.
“The market is still fresh and not crowded as in Western Europe,” Vladan Armus, the company’s brand president for Central and Eastern Europe, said Tuesday in an interview at a Prague Starbucks. “We can probably expand rapidly in the region for the next 10 years.”
Coffee chains are looking for opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe and Brazil as the economic crisis stalls growth in developed markets.
“The market is still fresh and not crowded as in Western Europe,” Vladan Armus, the company’s brand president for Central and Eastern Europe, said Tuesday in an interview at a Prague Starbucks. “We can probably expand rapidly in the region for the next 10 years.”
Coffee chains are looking for opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe and Brazil as the economic crisis stalls growth in developed markets.
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