Speech of the Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek of the Czech Republic at the meeting of Czech Trade and CzechInvest

Dear ladies and gentlemen,

I will come right to the point. I regard as groundless the issue of so called economic diplomacy. Priority of economic interests in the framework of embassy's activities is a fact, which need not be discussed, especially at this forum.

I even think that protection of economic interests of our republic is not a job only for commercial counsellors, but for entire embassies. The economic diplomacy has been always important, but its significance is growing dramatically nowadays.

Political matters are gradually more and more conditioned by our membership in multilateral organizations, in particular in the European Union. However the specific economic interests of the country and especially interests of the individual firms require far more active, differentiated and prompter attitude. The political concepts are usually prepared in advance and they can be flexibly consulted with the centre, if necessary. However, it is necessary to respond with initiative, right on the spot to changeable economic needs.

For that reason it is a priority of this government to support exports, investments and tourism. And I will consistently insist on its fulfilment. Our position in the world, our prosperity and our future depend on our ability to forward our economic interests in the world. It has always been applied to such a small country with open economy. Significance of this dimension of diplomacy is growing in times of spreading globalization.

Do not let us being confused by the fact that we are part of the common market of the EU. The national economic interests still exist; both within the Union and especially beyond its frontiers.

When I said that entire embassies should pay attention to the economic diplomacy, then I meant really entire embassies. Modern embassy must be something like a state marketing agency nowadays. It must be opened, it must communicate actively with media, it must ensure publicity for our country, it must be able to sell all what is worth of sale in the Czech Republic.

The task of embassies is not only to write confidential reports and to support political objectives. Embassies must be able to help Czech firms, to provide them with relevant information and contacts, to lobby in their interests. It is necessary for the political and commercial bodies to cooperate well, of course. If we are feeling nowadays that the economic part of diplomacy is still unrecognized, we do not want the classical diplomacy to be ignored. All of us are members of the same team, the Czech Republic. The presentation of our country is fragmented, ineffective and it is not goal-directed. They are interests of the individual ministries, which are on the blame, as everybody tries to maintain influence on the centres in abroad. Reasons of this situation are historical ones and it is not good.

I am convinced that all the activities connecting with promotion of the Czech Republic should be concentrated under the same roof of embassies. And they should be done in such a way so that we could know their reasons and measurable effects.

I will support every effort of yours in this respect. Also in diplomacy we need quality, not quantity. Restructuring of our embassy network is connected with it. If we are to economize, then we must do that in such regions, where our embassies do not show economic effects and we can establish new embassies in regions offering good prospects. If we are to economize on the state administration, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then we must economize on clerical and auxiliary staff, not on productive activities, among which belong activities of commercial counsellors.

I want you to realize what power you have under your control. Of course, we could say that economic interests go their own way and that they will be achieved anyway. But it can easily be distinguished whether somebody sweeps and maintains the path or whether it is a path through a jungle.

So, it is up to you. The Ministry and the government must create conditions for your work, but it will not be possible without your pro-active work, creativity and professionalism. I believe that you have these characteristics and that you want to develop them.

I will conclude my speech with a terse quotation of a famous manager Jack Welsh, which is applicable to everybody and it is applicable to the Czech Republic, as well: The better you work, the more you get.

Thank you for your attention.