Communicated by the Foreign
Ministry Spokesman
 January 26, 2000

FM Levy meets Czech Premier Zeman

 

Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman met today (26 Jan. 2000) in Prague with visiting Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, and told him: "If Joerg Haider joins the Government in Austria, we will have a common adversary - relations between the Czech Republic and Austria are in danger."

Foreign Minister Levy stated that if Haider will join the Austrian Government, "our in ambassador in Vienna will be called home for consultations, and Israel will reassess its relations with Austria."

Minister Levy added:

"While we cannot repair the past, we are obligated to assure that what has happened will not reoccur in the future. If Haider is allowed to join the Government, it would constitute a stark message to the entire international community - a step backwards, which would destroy moral values. It is a educational issue for future generations, and we must not remain silent in the face of these phenomena."

Also in their meeting, the two leaders discussed the friendly relations between Israel and the Czech Republic, and the expansion of economic and cultural ties between the two countries. In this context, Prime Minister Zamen expressed his hope that Israeli investors will show interest in Czech industries now undergoing privatization.

The two also discussed the Middle East peace process and the Iranian threat in the region. Foreign Minister Levy raised with Prime Minister Zamen Israel's concern over the ties existing between Iran and those Czech companies which are assisting the Iranian nuclear armament effort by providing equipment for peripheral systems. Mr. Zamen stated that the Czech side is working to find solutions to this issue.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Levy extended his thanks to Prime Minister Zamen on the establishment of a Czech committee on the restitution of Jewish property, and stated that, by doing so, the Czech Republic has demonstrated moral responsibility for acts carried out during and following the Holocaust.

Yesterday evening (25 Jan.), Foreign Minister Levy met with his Czech counterpart, Jan Kavan, and today, in addition to his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Levy met with the Speaker of the Czech Parliament, Vaclav Klaus, and with leaders of the local Jewish community.

Tomorrow (27 Jan.), Minister Levy will meet with Czech President Vaclav Havel, and will participate with him in a ceremony in rememberance of victims of the Holocaust.