Czech Republic seeks closer links with Gib

The Czech Republic yesterday officially opened an Honorary Consulate on the Rock. Libor Secka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in the UK, was in Gibraltar for the opening and also held a series of meetings including with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. This is the first time there has been any kind of official Czech representation in Gibraltar since 1848, then under the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Describing the establishment of the consulate as “an historical moment” for the Czech Republic, the Ambassador said, its opening had met several criteria, the appointment of Czech citizen and resident of Gibraltar, Stanislav Czech as Honorary Consul, and the growing need to have a base here because of the growth in Czech tourists to the Rock. Presently this is over 12,000 visitors a year.

Having opened its doors, he also assured, the Consulate would seek to establish links in a number of areas including: tourism, economic and commercial co-operation, and cultural and educational activities.

This was a case of “strengthening co-operation” between the Czech Republic and Gibraltar, he told the Chronicle.

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