As Czech Week approaches the end, this week, Gerald Fenech interviews Honorary Consul General for the Czech Republic in Malta, TONIO CASAPINTA, on the ties between the two new

EU nations, the possibility of improving economic opportunities and bilateral relations

as well as the major activities of the week in question



How effective has the Czech Presidency of the EU been especially in the increase of awareness on the economic situation?

The economic and financial crisis has transfigured the original priorities of the Czech Presidency, becoming immediately the most important issue of a global importance – and confirming that usually it is not the Presidency who makes the agenda but the agenda, which drives the Presidency.

The Czech Presidency called two extraordinary EU summits dedicated to the crisis and Czech Prime Minister, Mirek Topolánek, led negotiations in Brussels during the March European Council where the heads of state and government of the EU reached an agreement on measures that are to help the EU overcome the impacts of the financial and economic crisis.

According to experts, the Czech Presidency should be appreciated above all because of the efforts at coordinating the economic policy and preventing protectionism, spreading within the EU as part of measures to fight the economic crisis. In the economic area it could not be expected to do more as the fiscal policies are in the hands of individual states and monetary policy is managed by the independent European Central Bank.



How would you describe Czech-Maltese relations at

present?

Relations between the two countries are excellent. Our heads of government, ministers and also officials from the Ministries are meeting regularly in Malta and in Prague due to the Czech Presidency. As a Consulate and as the representative of the Czech Trade External Branch in Malta, together with Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry we have been particularly active these last months especially when heading a Malta Business Mission to Prague last March and earlier when we organised a Business Breakfast in Prague, during the Prime Minister’s visit. Excellent networking opportunities and results were created during these two events, especially in the financial services sector. During the Czech Days a delegation from the Budgetary Committee of the Czech Senate will be visiting Malta and will be having meetings with their counterparts from the House of Representatives. Furthermore, because of the Czech Presidency, the National Day of the Czech Republic will this year be celebrated on 27 May instead of 28 October with a State Reception to which all political, commercial, diplomatic representatives and members of the Czech Community in Malta are being invited, another networking opportunity at the highest levels.

During the Czech Day we are also planning to bring over a commercial delegation targeted particularly at the ICT and Financial Services sector and presentations will be held at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry with the support of various organisations including Malta Enterprise and Finance Malta.



Do you believe that more can be done to improve trade links between the two countries?

I think that at the moment we cannot do more than what has been done, both from Malta and the Czech side. We have kept up a momentum and have exposed both Malta and the Czech Republic to entrepreneurs from both countries. However, unless we manage to attract a direct air link between the two countries we will not be able to start seeing better trade figures. It takes a businessman a whole day to travel to and from Prague in the winter months and this is only eased up in the summer months when Air Malta operates weekly flights to the Czech capital, Prague.



What have been the highlights during your tenure as consul?

The highlights of my 16 years in the capacity as Honorary Consul and now recently upgraded to Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic to Malta have been many. Probably the most significant were the State Visit of President, Vaclav Havel, to Malta a few years back and then the return visit of President and Mrs Fenech Adami to Prague. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented me with the Gratias Agid Award for services to the Czech Republic. Last year this award was presented to Madeleine Albright, the former US Secretary of State, who as you know is of Czech origin.



What is happening during Czech week and how will this aid trade between the two

countries?

With the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Rome, this Consulate will be organising a full week of activities called Czech Days, a celebration week on the occasion of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This includes a mix of history, politics, culture, art, music and business.

The Maltese have in these last years learnt to expect quality cultural events from us and I can assure you that this year is no exception. Besides the Czech Film Week and the historical photographic exhibition of the events that happened in the Czech Republic in 1969 and 1989, we will stage a Grand Concert at St John’s Co-Cathedral under the patronage of the President of Malta and with the auspices of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation. The concert for Organ, Trumpets and Drums is usually performed at Strahov Cathedral in Prague for distinguished personalities visiting Prague. The concert will be performed by five of the very best Czech performing musicians coming from the National Theatre and the President’s Palace Guards Band.

This event was very difficult to organise, since at the moment, during the Presidency, Czech Republic is showing off throughout the world its very best in Arts and Music. However, I am pleased that Malta was included in this programme and the Czech Days will promote the best of Czech culture and expose also the excellent relations, which exist between Malta and the Czech Republic. Indirectly these events will be aiding our economic relations, as we will invite to these events the major business players in the Maltese economy.

Forming part of the programme will be a commemoration to be held at the RAF War Memorial at Floriana, where together with the British High Commissioner and the Commander of the Malta Armed Forces, the Czech Ambassador Vladimir Zavazal will be laying a wreath on the memorial to commemorate Czech pilots who fought alongside the Royal Air Force during World War II. This event is being held with the support of the RAF Association in Malta.

The public is invited to participate during the Czech Days with a visit to St James Cavalier in Valletta to see excellent films until tomorrow, 29 May. They may also view the exhibition on events in 1969 and 1989 (entrance is free of charge). For music lovers, the concert at St John’s Co-Cathedral, a first for Malta, being held today is a must.