The Czech Republic opened a full-fledged diplomatic mission in west Jerusalem as a sign of its recognition that the city is Israel’s capital.
“We, the Czech Republic, are opening here in Jerusalem on Washington Street our diplomatic representation,” said Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, as he inaugurated the new office together with Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
Babiš clarified that the country’s embassy is still located in Tel Aviv, but that the new office would be a branch of that embassy.
“We will have a full-fledged diplomatic mission here in Jerusalem,” Babiš said. “It will deal with a lot, ranging from politics and economic cooperation to the consular agenda and other topics. It will have its permanent staff and work under the lead of our embassy in Tel Aviv.
“It represents another milestone in our cooperation, and gives evidence that we see the importance of this great city,” he said, adding that it would strengthen the ties between the two countries.
The Czech Republic opened a cultural and trade center in west Jerusalem two years ago, upgrading its diplomatic presence.
Ashkenazi thanked the Czech Republic, noting that he and the Czech prime minister were “standing in the center of Jerusalem, the capital city of the State of Israel. We are adding another stone to its wall. I want to thank the entire Czech government and the prime minister for leading the change in Europe toward the city of Jerusalem as a whole and the connection to the State of Israel.”