Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Throws light on Czech’s post-USSR relations with Russia

In an exclusive conversation with Akram Hoque and sayan ghosh, H.E. Miloslav Stasek, the Czech Republican Ambassador to India, shares his views on EU, NATO and US and throws light on Czech’s post-USSR relations with Russia.

B&E: How are your relations with post-USSR Russia?
MS: We accept each other. We understand Russia is a superpower. It is a very important source of energy because most of the oil and gas coming to Czech Republic is sourced from Russia. In this perspective, Russia is our strategic partner. However, Russia must accept that we are an independent country now. The political dynamics of central Europe have completely changed. We are a member of Western Europe now. The issue of establishing American defence systems is being addressed and we are having regular discussion with Russia on this front. With the new American administration in place, Barack Obama is now thinking of a new system which could handle this issue.

B&E: There are strong rumours that Czech Republic wants the loans ($10 million) back that it gave to Communist countries like North Korea under your Communist regime. Your comments?
MS: We want all our money back (laughs)! After the collapse of the communist regime, we would like to settle all our debts unofficially with all the countries. The money loaned out was invested in some projects that were initiated through the government. We are now talking to international institutions like IMF to find a solution for this issue. North Korea is not the only country where our money is. There are countries like Sudan ($11 million) and Bolivia where these issues need to be settled.

B&E: There has been negligible criticism over hate-crimes against minority groups like Gypsies. Is the Government bothered about this?
MS: The government is bothered and we have assigned one of our ministries the charge of this entire issue. The ministry is focussing on how livelihood of Gypsies can be improved. They have all the rights like any other citizens. The problem is the integration of Gypsies in the national society because they live in cross communities. They don’t send their children to school even for basic education. So the challenge is to change their mentality. That is also a problem with US and Canada.

B&E: As an Ambassador, what are your plans for fortifying relations between India and Czech Republic?
MS: I will do all I can to enhance the extended relations we have with India. I will try to enhance people-to-people, economic, cultural, security and military cooperation. There is a huge potential and we would like to benefit from the economic development of India.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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