The Czech Republic announced Wednesday that it would open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem. The Czech government's decision joins a wave of similar decisions to establish embassies and diplomatic offices in Jerusalem taken by various countries over the past three months, such as Kosovo, Serbia, the Dominican Republic, and Malawi.
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Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke with his Czech counterpart, Thomas Patricek, and thanked him for Prague's decision.
"This is an important step that is indicative of the friendship between the two peoples and the recognition of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people," Ashkenazi said.
The Czech Republic is the second European Union member-state, after Hungary, to open an official mission in Jerusalem. The decision goes against EU guidelines that forbid its members from recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in any way. The Foreign Ministry has expressed hopes that this decision will pave the way for other European countries to follow suit.
"This is a joyous occasion; the result of three years of hard work. We at the embassy have not stopped talking about this at every meeting, every conversation with President Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, MKs, and [in media] interviews," Israeli Ambassador to Prague Daniel Meron told Israel Hayom.
"I'd like to give credit where credit is due. We are grateful to Czech President Milos Zeman and Foreign Minister Thomas Patricek, who were the main driving force behind the project," he said.
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