President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva are completing their business trip to Australia. During the five-day visit, the President of the Republic discussed the Czech Republic's cooperation with Australia with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn. He also launched a business forum, met with businessmen and compatriots, and delivered a speech at the prestigious Lowy Institute in the presence of more than three hundred and fifty political and business leaders. On Friday, he also had a briefing with the University of Adelaide, a visit to the Lot Fourteen innovation district and a meeting with children at a Czech school. From the Commonwealth of Australia, it subsequently flies to New Zealand.
"Our journey began with a visit to the state of New South Wales. We had a frank discussion with the Governor and then with the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament about the possibilities of mutual cooperation. They, like us, are aware of the need for cooperation between democratic countries and see the Czech Republic as a potential partner. Whether in the field of defence industry, energy, cyber security or information technology," said the President Petr Pavel.
The entrepreneurs also discussed specific opportunities for cooperation at the Czech-Australian business forum and meetings attended by more than 160 representatives of Australian companies and nearly twenty companies accompanying the President of the Republic or operating directly in Australia. "Our economy is based on exports and the need to expand markets for Czech exports. Australia is a market with great potential in a number of areas. The scope for deepening our cooperation is therefore great," Supplemented by the President of the Republic. Australia is already the Czech Republic's fifth largest export market in Asia and the Pacific. Last year alone, more than CZK 13 billion worth of Czech goods were exported to Australia, which is more than the Czech Republic's exports to Brazil, Canada, Korea or Vietnam.
In addition to discussing business opportunities, the President of the Republic also had the opportunity to visit the Sydney Opera House, where the premiere of Dvořák's Rusalka.
After visiting Sydney, the President of the Republic moved to Canberra. In the capital, he visited the Naval Headquarters and the Australian Intelligence Service. "It is confirmed that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific are closely linked. I was therefore interested in the situation in the region and in the Australian view on the issue of security in the South China Sea and cooperation between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. We must not underestimate the risks associated with cooperation between these countries, because they have an impact both the Czech Republic and Australia," He explained Petr Pavel.
The President of the Republic also held a number of political meetings with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sam Mostyn, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia Anthony Albanese and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles. He also met with senior officials of the Federated States of New South Wales and South Australia. He was also the featured guest speaker at the Lowy Lecture, which concludes the year-long activities of Australia's most prestigious think tank, the Lowy Institute. In addition to trade, the topics of all the speeches and talks included education, science and research, security and conservation.
During their visit to Australia, the Pavlovs also inaugurated the new building of the Czech Embassy, where they had the opportunity to meet representatives of the Czech community. As part of their five-day programme, they also visited the Deep Space Communication Complex, a satellite centre under NASA that monitors activities in space.
The couple also stopped at the Tidbinbilla National Reserve, which was devastated by fires four years ago. Thanks to a public collection and the financial support of the Prague Zoo, a protected area of 120 hectares was opened there, where southern rock kangaroos were released.
The President of the Republic and his wife Eva fly from the Commonwealth of Australia to New Zealand. He will hold talks with the Governor-General of New Zealand and other leaders of the country. The President will also address the New Zealand audience with a speech at the University of Auckland and present a business seminar with representatives of Czech and New Zealand companies and academia. The Presidential couple will also visit the Czech community in Auckland and Wellington.
Photo gallery here.
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PHOTO - Zuzana Bönisch and Tomas Fongus
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