The Czech government plans to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine after the decision to provide 4,000 artillery shells as European Truth reported citing Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. “I don’t know exactly what form this will take yet, but our government has the political will to help Ukraine withstand this crisis. Part of this effort is aimed at changing the “loss calculations” for Putin so that he decides not to physically attack Ukraine,” the Czech minister said. According to him, there was no discussion in Czech society about whether to provide shells to Ukraine. “Of course, people may have different opinions, but there was no political debate at all about supplying weapons to Ukraine. So I’m glad that the Czech Republic has finally joined the club of states that help Ukraine in this way. As you mentioned, not all states do this. But our club is not bad – we are there together with the United States, Britain, Poland, the Baltic States,” the minister said. The diplomat added that the Czech Republic helps Ukraine because local events affect Central Europe. “Migration is changing, economic interaction – everything is changing. We are in a close neighborhood with you, so everything that happens in your country matters to...
The government wants to save around CZK 100 million in public health spending this year with more than 100 jobs to be axed despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Czech healthcare unions who issued a strike alert in response to the planned budget cuts, said. “We have been trying for a long time to increase the payments and to get to the EU level in terms of the money that goes into the health care system. We need to have a good quality healthcare system, well-functioning hospitals, primary care and a healthcare system that is developing,” said the head of the Health and Social Care Trade Union Dagmar Žitníková for Seznam Zprávy. “This was going well and suddenly we found out that the health care system and the whole system that managed the COVID-19 should pay the most for it.” “We were surprised. We have been living under stress for two years, working Saturdays, Sundays, overtime. We did not expect a pay raise, but taking jobs away from us – we are really frustrated,” said Alena Wilhemlová, a worker at the Ústí Regional Hygienic Station, who is also vice-president of the regional union. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09, EPP) respects the...
The Czech Republic is the ninth most advanced economy in the European Union. Sweden ranks first, followed by Germany and Denmark. This is according to the first pillar of the new Prosperity Index focused on the economy, compiled by analysts at Česká spořitelna and Europe in Data. The Czech Republic can achieve a better ranking by investing in changing the structure of the economy, innovation, and education. David Navrátil, the chief economist at Česká spořitelna, added that the Czech Republic’s strongest points include economic complexity (ranked 2nd) or the investment-to-GDP ratio (ranked 3rd). On the other hand, weaker results are in terms of the share of national income in domestic product or the level of value-added of the economy. A higher level of investment does not automatically mean a higher rate of modernisation of the economy, especially in comparison with other countries. This can be seen, for example, in the robotization of the Czech economy. The number of robots per worker in the Czech Republic is growing, but not enough. This is why the Czech Republic has fallen out of the top 20 most robotized economies in the world. Currently, Germany is the European leader in robotization with 371 robots...
Manifesto Anděl is preparing a two-day celebration of the local carnival called Masopust. Visitors can enjoy a special program and menus from Friday, February 25th to Saturday, 26th. Quite well-known for the South American carnival vibes and lively dance waves that some of the restaurants bring on a regular basis to Manifesto, this time the happenings will highlight the Czech and Moravian traditions. On Friday, February 25, a cimbalom quartet will perform folklore music while wearing traditional embroidered costumes. During a two-hour performance by four musicians with violin, double bass, cimbalom and viol, anyone will be welcome to sing along. On Saturday, experienced tutors Jaruška and Anežka will run children’s workshops and make colorful carnival masks. Anyone who wants to dress up for the occasion should unleash their imagination and creativity. During both days of the Masopust event, the chefs from Zátiší will open a pop-up restaurant with authentic Czech specialties and an unprecedented menu at Manifesto. For the first time, our guests will be able to taste blood sausage with cabbage and butter potatoes, pork sausage, or beef goulash with dumplings. The special menu will be available until it is sold out for CZK 195 per serving (which will...
The Norwegian airline Flyr will start flying from Prague to Oslo on April 7. On Thursdays and Sundays, it will offer connections between Prague and the Norwegian capital Oslo, and from June 14 it will add a third connection every Tuesday. Return tickets start at €99. The flight schedule foresees departures from Prague at 14:55 and from Oslo at 12:05. Flyr is an LCC carrier based in Norway. The airline operates domestic services in Norway and popular destinations in Europe with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flyr received an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority on 17-Jun-2021 and launched passenger operations with Oslo-Tromsø service on 30-Jun-2021. In addition to Prague, the carrier announced the launch of flights to Billund, Stockholm, Pisa and Edinburgh. Oslo will thus become a destination with exceptionally high competition. Currently, only Norwegian offers a flight connection, while SAS is scheduled to return at the end of March. Norwegian expects a gradual increase in the number of flights to once a day, SAS plans five flights a week.
Budvar, the Czech brewer that has been in a long legal dispute with U.S. company Anheuser-Busch over use of the “Budweiser” brand, has registered a record output for the second straight pandemic year. Budejovicky Budvar NP, a 126-year-old state-owned brewery, said its output rose 4.6% to 1.8 million hectoliters in 2021, according to preliminary results released on Thursday. The brewer’s exports were up 11.3% last year, director Petr Dvorak said. The figures “surpassed our expectations,” Dvorak said. Budvar sells its beer in some 80 countries. It said in a statement that practically all its major markets, including Germany, Britain and Slovakia, contributed to increased sales. Revenues also hit a record last year, growing 10.4% to reach 3.171 billion crowns in 2021. Complete results, including profit figures, will be released later in the year. The pandemic particularly affected the domestic market with demand for beer in tanks and barrels declining as bars and restaurants were closed for some time and access for unvaccinated people was limited. “We have a very difficult year in all aspects behind us,” Dvorak said. The brewer has expanded in recent years to be able to produce more than 2 million hectoliters of beer a year. That...
If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix. All the 14 regions of the Czech Republic expressed their support to former PM Andrej Babis who is to seek re-election as the party leader at Saturday’s nationwide congress. Former industry, trade and transport minister Karel Havlicek and ex-finance minister Alena Schillerova were nominated as first deputy heads. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soder wants to keep improving the relations with the Czech Republic, he wrote in a letter addressed to Czech PM Petr Fiala. Soder supports regular intergovernmental consultations, too. Furthermore, he suggested several projects enhancing bilateral cooperation in transport, modern technologies and education. Czech speed-skater Martina Sáblíková won the bronze in the women’s 5000m meter race in Beijing on Thursday, finishing behind Irene Schouten from The Netherlands who took the gold and Canada’s Isabelle Weidemann who finished second. Last year, Budějovický Budvar brewed a record 1.8 million hectolitres, a 4.6 percent increase over the previous year. Beer sales surpassed CZK 3 billion for the first time, amounting to CZK 3.17 billion. Some 11.4 million tourists stayed in accommodation facilities in the...
The civic movement Praha Sobě proposed the possibility of building a new metro ring line in the city. This will relieve congested areas, and facilitate commuting to the Central Bohemian Region. Deputy Transport Minister Adam Scheinherr wants to submit a feasibility study to the board this year. “Over the next few years, the population of Prague will increase by several hundred thousand, and many more visitors will arrive in the city. Without a new basis for public transport, Prague will suffocate,” he said. “Even with the current demand, the metro line will carry about 150,000 passengers a day on the busiest sections between Smichov and Budejovice,” he added. However, the study can only be completed in 2025. And if everything goes smoothly, the city can get a permit to build the first part of the new metro line only in 2033, i.e. in 11 years. However, this is not the first time such a proposal has been made. The Ring Line was included in the conceptual plans already under the communist regime when it was marked as Route E. Given that the construction of line D is currently underway, would logical that the next line should be called E. However,...
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Europe late last year showed Russia could not use gas as great leverage over Europe, and the gas shortfall supported efforts to build more LNG capacity on European shores, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Wednesday. Lipavsky told Reuters in an interview that diversion of LNG cargoes to Europe after prices surged late last year amid lower supplies from Russia showed there were alternatives to Russian gas and supported the argument for investing in infrastructure. “I like to say (Russian President) Vladimir Putin gave Europe a great Christmas gift because he showed that we are not dependent on Russian gas,” Lipavsky said. “I am not saying we can only be dependent on LNG, but this is a very good example that Russia cannot afford to use gas as some fundamental economic lever, because if Europe builds sufficient mechanisms, terminals, it will diversify its energy security.” The Czech Republic consumes around 8.7 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, most of which comes from Russia through Germany. Lipavsky, whose ministry has a special envoy for energy security, said the Czech government aimed to gain access to an LNG terminal in some neighbouring country....
Find out what is going on this weekend in Prague. Parties, stand-up comedy shows, food events, shows, concerts and exhibitions guarantee that your weekend will be full of fun! Cirkopolis 2022 Prague – 13-18 February If you are looking for a special event to take your breath away, this year´s Cirkopolis Festival is here to do exactly that. For almost a week you will be able to enjoy plenty of magical and jaw-dropping performances from jugglers, to dancers, acrobats and other circus performers showing you their best tricks and moves. Come and enjoy these magical shows happening in Akropolis Palace and Ponec Theatre and enjoy your weekend in full flair. There are plenty of performances to choose from, you definitely won´t be bored. Farmers’ market at Heřmaňák – Saturday, February 12 Farmers’ market at Heřmaňák is definitely not regular farmers´ market. There is one thing that makes it special and different from others. What it is? Well, it is one of the first eco-friendly markets taking place in Prague. In this market, nobody uses plastic bags, containers and other packaging. Instead, all the visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, glass jars, egg containers and wrappers...
Česká Mincovna (Czech Mint) minted an investment coin worth CZK 14 million, which weighs a record ten kilograms. The weight of the coin has surpassed its predecessor from last year, which weighed “only” five kilograms. The Czech Mint was established in 1993 and is one of the top ones in its field. Its current ten-kilo coin is the largest and heaviest in the Czech Republic with a diameter of 165 mm. It is a gold investment coin with the motif of the Czech Lion. “The coin is unique in that it contains a hologram security element,” explains Stanislav Bachtík, production director of the Czech Mint. The author of the design is the young artist Asamat Baltaev, who creates the Czech Lion in a new design for each year. The hologram protective element can be seen with the naked eye and is in the shape of a shield. It was used for the first time last year when a five-kilo coin with this hologram was entered into the Czech Book of Records. The new coin is the largest coin minted in continental Europe. “Only three other mints in the world, Canada, China and Australia, can produce similar things,” Bachtík said. Because...
Starting today, there’s no more need to show proof of vaccination or being recently recovered from COVID-19 to enter restaurants and other hospitality or service venues. For travel abroad, however, certificates are still needed, and from mid-February, their validity will be limited to nine months from the completed vaccination and can be extended with a booster dose. Measures requiring mask-wearing indoors and limits to the number of people at public events will remain. “The first step is the cancelling of certificates; another one is the end of blanket testing,” said the Health Minister of Czechia, Vlastimil Válek. Most of the measures against the spread of Covid-19 will be abolished in the Czech Republic as of March 1, Prime Minister Fiala announced at a press conference after the government’s meeting on Wednesday. The only measure that will stay in force will be the wearing of respirators in public spaces. The moves follow easing planned in other European countries. Neighbouring Austria will allow shops and restaurants to remain open longer and also ease restrictions on the unvaccinated from next week. The Czech government has sought to boost vaccinations, with 63.5% of its population inoculated, below the European Union average of 70%, according...
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