The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mirek Topolanek, will begin a 24-hour visit to Cape Verde today, May 13, on the invitation of his Cape Verdean counterpart José Maria Neves. This is the first time a Central European head of state will visit the archipelago, and the trip comes as Praia seeks to broaden relations with other countries in the European Union, particularly those that have adhered more recently.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s office, Topolanek’s visit marks a crucial and tangible moment in the expansion of relations of friendship and cooperation between Cape Verde and the Czech Republic, a country which recently joined the European Union and which will assume its presidency during the first half of 2009.

Cape Verde’s special partnership with the European Union is one of the subjects certain to be discussed by the two prime ministers during a face-to-face meeting, which will be followed by a meeting between the Czech delegation and the Cape Verdean government at 5:00 pm in the governmental palace.

Praia, according to the government press release, intends to maximize its relations with the European Union in various different areas, particularly governance, security and stability, regional integration, normative and technical modernization and convergence and economic and social development.

The Czech premier’s visit to Cape Verde could usher in new perspectives and opportunities for cooperation in the area of professional and higher education in the realms of health, energy, defense and security and commerce, among other sectors.

At 6:00 pm, José Maria Neves and Mirek Topolanek will preside over the opening ceremony of a Business Forum in the Finance Ministry conference hall, followed by a cultural exhibition on the history of the Czech Comix in the Praia municipal building.

The Czech Prime Minister’s visit will wrap up with a courtesy visit to President Pedro Pires tomorrow, May 14.

Cape Verde established diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia in 1975, and since then more than twenty Cape Verdean professionals have received their university education in that country and in the Czech Republic, following Czechoslovakia’s split into two countries after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Source: A Semana