Photo: ods.cz
(Lidovky.cz) Former Defence Minister and MEP Alexandr Vondra (ODS) has always been a supporter of the closest possible cooperation with the USA. The transatlantic link was decisive for him. He often criticised the actions of Paris and French President Emmanuel Macron. In an interview with Lidovky.cz, he now admits that he has made a major U-turn. Macron's trip to the Czech Republic on Tuesday was, in his view, the most important visit of Prime Minister Petr Fiala's government.
You spoke briefly with President Macron after his speech at the Nuclear Forum in the Rudolfinum. What did you say to him?
I have waited 35 years for the President of France to come to Prague, to give a speech that will have a strategic dimension and that the Czechs will understand. I got that on Tuesday, so I thanked him for that. I also mentioned that together with the French MEP Christoph Grudler, we had established a nuclear alliance in the European Parliament.
How significant a visit was it?
In my opinion, it was the most important foreign policy visit of this government. Of course, President Paul had to invite him, for which I thank him. I would contrast Macron's visit with that of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz two years ago, when Ukraine was facing the beginnings of Russian aggression. Instead of talking during a lecture at Charles University about what to do to save the invaded country, he talked about giving up the veto and extending majority voting in the EU.
He talked much more about the distant security and political architecture of Europe and little about what needs to be done immediately. Macron is an intellect above many others, and he also understands the rules of the game of politics today, which requires action, not departmental debate. The nuclear renaissance, and how he has linked it to climate policy, is something that is in line with Czech vital interests. He understands that Europe does not need an inspiring debate about its architecture now.
ods.cz/gnews.cz-RoZ_07
https://www.ods.cz/clanek/25388-alexandr-vondra-jak-jsem-se-mylil-v-macronovi
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