Morning Briefing │ Monday, February 5th, 2024

* UKRAINE:

The Czech Republic is urging the European Union to procure ammunition for Ukraine from sources outside the EU, as reported by Politico, citing diplomats.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský asserted the logical nature of such a request, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russian aggression.

* SPORT:

The Czech men’s tennis team beat Israel on Sunday at the Davis Cup qualifiers in Vendryně, North Moravia, to advance to the group stage of the annual competition.

Last year, Czechia made it to the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup before being knocked out by Australia.

* IMMIGRATION:

After four months of keeping border controls in place with Slovakia to curb migration, Czechia’s government decided to abolish them. The removal of border checks has been officially confirmed by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Border controls have been in place upon an announcement to the European Commission by Czechia’s Ministry of the Interior since October 4, 2023, mainly due to concerns about irregular migration.

* NEW LAW:

Large companies in Czechia will have to ensure a more balanced share of men and women in leadership positions if a proposed bill published on the government’s website is approved.

According to the draft law, women should make up at least a third of representation in upper management. On average, women hold 32.2 percent of leadership positions across the EU, while in Czechia, it is only 21 percent.

* POLITICS:

President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva will visit Luxembourg on February 28 and March 1, the Office of the President announced on its web site. No further details with regard to the visit were released.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited Luxembourg in December 2022 meeting with his counterpart Xavier Bettel.