The government revoked nine ancient resolutions that assigned land for use to Russia

Prague - The government today canceled nine resolutions from the 70s and 80s that entrusted properties to the then Soviet Union for free use for diplomatic purposes. The approval of the material was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ČTK. The Minister for European Affairs, Martin Dvořák (STAN), also reported this. According to Czech diplomacy, Russia is using the land for purposes other than diplomatic, so there is no reason to continue providing it free of charge.

This concerns Prague apartments near the embassy, as well as buildings in Brno, Karlovy Vary, and recreational properties in Vlkančice or Jevany. Today's cancellation of the resolutions, according to ČTK information, will affect a total of 59 plots. Russia will have to fulfill its tax obligations regarding the affected properties. Instead of free use, it will also be possible to arrange use based on lease agreements or to pursue other solutions more beneficial for the Czech Republic.

"We have canceled the government decisions made under the barrels of Russian tanks after the occupation of our country, which until now allowed Russia to use extensive land in our territory free of charge. Unjust profits from the use of these lands must not support the current occupation of Ukraine,” Dvořák stated on Twitter.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates) presented the proposal to the government already in March, but due to additional legal assessment of the issue, he withdrew the material from the discussion at that time.

Czechia has strained diplomatic relations with Russia after the discovery by Czech intelligence services and investigators two years ago that agents of Russian secret services were involved in explosions at munitions depots in Vrbětice in Zlín Region in 2014. The number of Russian diplomats in the Czech Republic was further reduced even after last year's Russian invasion of Ukraine. Currently, six diplomats work at the Russian embassy in Prague. The low number of diplomats and staff at the Russian embassy is one of the main arguments of the ministry, according to which the embassy cannot utilize a high number of properties solely for diplomatic purposes.

Czechia has repeatedly informed Russia on the matter. According to the explanatory report available to ČTK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held discussions with the Russian embassy regarding the definition of properties used for diplomatic purposes, including the related conditions for their use. Russia rejected this, prompting the ministry in July 2020 to inform via a note that Czechia would not recognize properties not serving diplomatic purposes as part of the mission's premises from that date onwards.

Since May 2022, the properties of the former Russian consulates in Karlovy Vary and Brno have also lost their status as consular premises.

According to the ministry, some of the properties are being used for commercial purposes, meaning Russia is unjustly benefiting from the free use of the land. "For completeness, it should also be added that the total area of land used free of charge by the Russian Federation in the Czech Republic (92,001 square meters (m2), of which 87,863 m2 are state-owned) and by the Czech Republic in the Russian Federation (26,875 m2) does not respect the principle of reciprocity,” the ministry stated.

The ministry warned of the possibility that this step could lead to a Russian reaction regarding the Czech House in Moscow, which, while owned by the Czech Republic, is located on land owned by Russia. "A certain 'securing' institution for this purpose remains the so-called 'Russian School' building, whose use for diplomatic purposes is also at least controversial, but due to the existence of an intergovernmental agreement and considering that it is a facility used for state non-commercial purposes, it is not the subject of the proposed settlement,” the ministry indicated. The Russian school has not operated since the expulsion of Russian diplomats.

The ministry considered negotiating with Russia to exchange the Czech House for some properties used by Russia in Prague, but after the invasion of Ukraine, the chances of negotiations with a positive outcome are deemed minimal, according to the authorities.