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Speech of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the occassion of his official visit to Japan

English Pages, 5. 9. 1996

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is for the first time in the history of our mutual relations that the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic has visited your country, and has had the opportunity to express to such a distinguished audience his ideas and his feelings, which have been inspired by the first hours that I have spent in your country.

There are not too many countries which are geographically as far away as Japan from the Czech Republic. The fact that, despite this long distance, your country is highly respected among the people of the Czech Republic, is not surprising. It is undoubtedly thanks to the results of excellent achievements of the Japanese people, thanks to the products which quality, standard and price have become a symbol and which, in our country as well as all over the world, have become a part of our way of life.

Your country is, however, well-known not only for this fact. For us, Japan is a country of a unique, truly original and ancient culture, which has in many ways greatly affected the world’s civilization. It is a country which has managed to enrich its own tradition by inspiration from other cultures and change it to its own, special Japanese style.

I am very glad that in my program, there is - besides important political and economic discussions - also an opportunity to learn both about the face of today’s modern Japan and about your traditions, to visit your historical and cultural centres. I believe all this will allow me to understand the „soul“ of your country.

The Czech Republic has gone through a major transformation since 1989. Over the past few years, we have managed to get over the burden of 40 years of totalitarian regime and to establish a stable, free society based on a pluralistic democracy and a market economy. We have succeeded in the rapid privatization of our economy, in introducing a standard system of law, and in founding all the necessary institutions. Our economy is undergoing a rapid economic growth which reached a 5%-level last year and we expect it to further accelerate this year. Our economy is stable, our domestic and foreign debts are relatively very low, the unemployment rate fluctuates at around 3% - I would say that this is within Japanese norms. These facts have their positive impact abroad and our country is finding the way back to the group of developed countries, where we were in 1930’s. It can be proved by the fact that we became a member of OECD last year and our country has, I think, very real chances to be among the first countries which will be accepted to the EU in the nearest future.

In our priorities, we do not look at the European continent only. We are interested in improving and broadening our contacts on other continents and in other countries. One of those is Asia, where Japan is one of the most crucially important countries. We are ready to work to further improve the political, economic and cultural relations between our two countries.

Our economy has been, over the past several years, the object of interest of American, Western European and some Asian investors as well. We hope that Japanese investors will take a greater part in this process. We highly value the present economic partnership in the fields of trade and finance. But I am convinced that the present extent of this does not correspond with the real possibilities.

I wish that this visit, and my talks with your political and economic representatives, will add greatly to the intensification of our economic partnership. That is why our Government’s delegation is accompanied by a mission of representatives of top Czech businessmen and bankers. We believe that they will have an excellent opportunity to meet their Japanese partners, and to make contacts which will be useful for both sides.

I believe that we should all do something positive to contribute to each other’s knowledge. We are very pleased to note that among the millions of foreign visitors of the Czech Republic, each year we welcome more and more Japanese citizens. For the future I believe that exchange is important. I do not mean only exchange of goods, but also ideas, and people themselves. I believe that both our countries share similar basic values and principles and that we have a great chance to achieve a new quality in our relationship.

I hope that it is possible that a citizen of your country, when thinking of the Czech Republic, will connect our nation not just with Věra Čáslavská, Bohemian and Moravian music, crystal glass or perhaps a beer, but also with other interesting things, just like our citizens will have a chance, when hearing of Japan, to think of more than just super-fast trains, top-quality cars, electronics and your lovely traditional „tea ceremony“.

Allow me, Mr. Prime Minister, to make a toast to the warm relationship between our two countries. May I take this opportunity to thank you for your most gracious welcome and hospitality, and to wish you, your country and its citizens great success in the future.

Václav Klaus, Japan, 5 September 1996