The Czech House in Moscow is the largest facility of its kind in the world.

Publisher
ČTK
20.04.2021 16:40
Russia

Moscow


Prague – A selection of information about the Czech House in Moscow (the Russian side pointed to its operation after the representatives of the capital city of Prague called for the return of part of Stromovka, seized by Moscow after 1968):


— The Czech House in Moscow is a large complex located about half a kilometer from the Czech embassy and 2.5 kilometers from Red Square and the Kremlin. It is the largest property owned by the Czech Republic abroad. It was completed in 1986, and from the beginning, its purpose has been to create a base for Czech exporters. After the division of Czechoslovakia, it came under the ownership of the Czech Republic. It has 122 offices, 131 apartments, and 87 hotel rooms, and it also offers conference rooms, lounges, a business center, restaurants, a pub, a bar, a gym, an outdoor playground, and a sauna. In addition to business, it also serves to promote Czech culture in Russia.

— "The main task of the Czech House Moscow is to support Czech entrepreneurs and exporters who are trying to establish themselves in the Russian market. This support consists both of creating conditions for their business and providing useful information. It is also significant in creating excellent conditions and facilities for the families of representatives of Czech companies. Thanks to our uniqueness, Czech entrepreneurs gain a significant competitive advantage over entrepreneurs from other countries through the Czech House Moscow," described its operation for Czech Television in 2016 when the Czech House also served as a base for Czechs during the World Ice Hockey Championship, its then director Jiří Podhola.

— The Czech House, which is part of the network of Czech Centers, primarily focuses on assisting traders, but it does not neglect Czech culture, which traditionally has a good reputation in Russia. "We cannot close business deals for anyone, but we actively support anyone interested. We have the opportunity to present Czech products, and many companies actively use that. Up to five hundred visitors come to us daily, and many of them are significant Russian entrepreneurs," Podhola also said about the functioning of the Czech House, which has long generated profits that are used not only for its repairs but also partially for financing other Czech Centers.

— The Czech Centers, a contributory organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took over the management of the Czech House in 2002 after it was leased. A private operator took it over after the government of Miloš Zeman (then ČSSD) adopted a resolution in October 2000, under which embassies abroad were to abolish so-called secondary economies. At that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hurriedly signed a lease agreement for the Czech House with the company Hotel Český dům, founded by the then managers of the building. The company could, for example, use the embassy's account and import goods without customs duties and taxes. Due to the allegedly unfavorable lease of the complex, several individuals later found themselves before a Czech court.

— Former general secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Karel Srba and his two co-defendants were charged with crimes of misuse of information in business dealings and breach of duty in managing foreign property, causing damages exceeding 26 million crowns. Srba, the former head of the Hotel Český dům company Stanislav Breie, and the then chief accountant of the Moscow complex Miroslav Karel were acquitted by the Prague municipal court twice in a non-final verdict. However, the appellate panel revoked the verdicts each time and returned the case for consideration. They never received a final verdict, as the case was subject to the amnesty declared by President Václav Klaus in January 2013.

— The Czech House has recently been mentioned after the leadership of Prague on Monday, April 19, called on the government to negotiate with Russia for the return of part of Stromovka, which was seized in 1968 after the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops. The municipality wants the area of the Russian embassy to return to the state it was in before August 21, 1968. The leadership of Prague also wants to reduce the number of parking spaces reserved for the embassy. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) noted after the government meeting that if Prague provides the documents, they will be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian diplomacy then reminded Prague, according to the Interfax agency, of the Czech property in the center of Moscow on Tverskaya Street, where the Czech House is located.
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