Informal social events at the Reduta jazz club, except for Clinton Czech President Petr Pavel also attended with his wife, the former first lady Dagmar HavelovaSpeaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) or foreign and interior ministers John of Lipava (Pirates) a Welcome Austrian (STAN).
In Reduta, Clinton recalled his second visit to the Czech Republic, which took place in January 1994. Then, among other things, you were accompanied by your host and the then president Vaclav Havel viewed the Charles Bridge. They then spent the evening at the Reduta jazz club at an informal meeting of Czech musicians, and Clinton also played the brand new saxophone that Havel had given him.
The former American president also walked across the Charles Bridge this Sunday. He came to Reduta around 5:30 p.m. and stayed there for about an hour and a half. While meeting with Czech politicians and other personalities, Clinton recalled the evening of January 1994. He said that it was an extremely emotional time for him because his mother had died five days before.
Former US President Bill Clinton arriving at Reduta (March 10, 2024) | Flash: PHOTO: Jiří Koťátko / CNC
He described the then meeting with Havel as extremely important from the point of view of the security of not only the Czech Republic, but also the USA. He highlighted the current role of the Czech Republic in alliances and finding artillery shells for Ukraine, which has been facing Russian aggression for two years.
Today, Clinton met with Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) in Kramář’s Villa in Prague. Fiala and Clinton talked about the past and current challenges, the Czech prime minister told reporters after the meeting. “I thanked President Clinton for his help with the entry of the Czech Republic and other countries into the North Atlantic Alliance,” he said. The statesmen also talked about the current situation, according to Fiala, Clinton appreciated the role of the Czech Republic in Europe and in helping Ukraine.
In the afternoon, Clinton headed to the reception at the American ambassador’s residence in Prague, which is currently Bijan Sabet. In addition to him, the former NATO Secretary General also attended the meeting George Robertson or Czech President Petr Pavel.
Conference at the Castle
Clinton is the main speaker at the conference Our security is not taken for granted, which will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle on Tuesday. In addition to Clinton, the highest Czech constitutional officials or former NATO Secretary General George Robertson will also speak at it.
Sunday evening was supposed to take place in a very informal atmosphere. In addition to current politicians, they also received an invitation, for example former prime minister Mirek Topolánekthe director Václav Marhoul or former colleagues of Václav Havel, a former diplomat Michael Zantovskyadvisor for national security Tomáš Pojar or MEP Alexander Vondra (ODS).
Other guests were also former Havel spokesman Ladislav Špaček and personal photographer Tomki Němec, former Chief of the General Staff Jiří Šedivý and his namesake Jiří Šedivý, who was the first Czech in the position of Deputy Secretary General of NATO.