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Official visit to the Czech Republic

Topic: Report

25 August 2021

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 August. They visited the cities of Prague and Ústí nad Labem. The trip focused on neighbourly relations between the two countries. In Prague, President Steinmeier held political talks with the President and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, the President of the Senate and the President of the Chamber of Deputies.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier talks with representatives of civil society in the German-Czech border area during an official visit to the Czech Republic.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Czech Republic from 25 to 27 August. They visited the cities of Prague and Ústí nad Labem.

The trip focused on neighbourly relations between the two countries. Germany has close political, economic and cultural ties with Czechia. The journey took place by train. As he traveled from Berlin to Prague, the Federal President met with people whose daily lives are shaped by German-Czech relations, such as cross-border commuters.

After arriving in Prague, President Steinmeier held political talks with the President and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, the President of the Senate and the President of the Chamber of Deputies.

Germany and Czechia are extremely important partners for one another in the fields of business, science and research, and trade. With this in mind, the Federal President also met German industry representatives for talks and visited the Research and Innovation Centre on Advanced Industrial Production (RICAIP), a German-Czech institution. At RICAIP he learned more about cooperation in the fields of Industrie 4.0 and robotics.

The President’s itinerary also focused on the two countries’ shared history and on the major issues that shaped their relations in the future, with additional stops in Prague and in the city of Ústí nad Labem near the German-Czech border.

Overview of the programme:

Wednesday, 25 August

  • Travel by Deutsche Bahn / České dráhy train from Berlin main station to Prague main station
  • During the train ride
    Talks with representatives of civil society in the German-Czech border area
  • Arrival at Prague main station
  • Walk to the statue of Sir Nicholas Winton and to the historic arrivals hall of Prague main station
  • Hřbitov Cemetery
    Lay a wreath at the grave of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk
  • Lány, Lány Castle
    Dinner hosted by Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, and Ivana Zemanová

Thursday, 26 August

  • Prague, Villa Richter
    Talks with the German business community
  • Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral
    Remember the resistance fighters involved in the Heydrich assassination, as well as the victims of Germany’s acts of retaliation in Lidice and Ležáky following the assassination, visit the crypt
  • Prague Castle
    Welcome with military honours by the President of the Czech Republic followed by talks
  • Meet the press
  • Strahov Monastery
    Tour of the Monastery and the library, as well as talks with Radek Vondráček, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic
  • Talks with Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic
  • Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
    Reception hosted by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany


Friday, 27 August

  • Hrzánský Palace
    Talks with Andrej Babiš, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
  • German-Czech Research and Innovation Centre on Advanced Industrial Production (RICAIP)
    View the test lab
  • Municipal Museum of Ústí nad Labem
    Visit the exhibition “Our Germans” and talks on German-Czech relations
  • Main station
    Visit the painting depicting the life of Ruth Hálová
  • Depart by train to Berlin main station

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