The parliamentary committee approved the transfer of money from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the removal of the pavilion from Expo 2025

Prague – The House Budget Committee today approved the transfer of 200 million korunas in this year’s budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the removal of the Czech pavilion from the World Expo 2025 in Japan. The Ministry initially wanted to use the funds to purchase a new embassy building in Kyiv. Part of the transferred amount will also be used by the Ministry to cover the losses of the Czech Centers so they do not have to be closed down.

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) said on Monday after a government meeting that there are no interested buyers for the Czech pavilion and the only economical option is its demolition. He pointed out that the land in Osaka has to be restored to its original state by the end of July, which he considers unrealistic. "We managed to negotiate an unofficial postponement until September; if we don't make it, we will have to pay penalties," he said.

The previous government of Petr Fiala (ODS) approved in the summer of 2024 the proposal to buy and subsequently renovate a new building in Kyiv as the seat of the Czech embassy for nearly half a billion korunas. Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today at the committee meeting that they are aware that the situation of the embassy is inappropriate. The Ministry will look into the possibility of renting new premises.

According to Macinka, the project for Czech participation in Expo 2025 has become more expensive, increasing from the originally set budget of 290 million korunas to over 600 million korunas. Ministry representatives stated during the committee meeting that the office has filed three criminal reports due to this.

Expo 2025 took place from April 13 to October 13 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka. The Czech National Pavilion was built by the Japanese company Daisue. Over one and a half million people visited it during the duration of the exhibition.