[Prague]
1. Not many Singaporeans are aware that the per capita income of the Czech Republic has overtaken that of Portugal and Greece in the European Union. After the end of the Cold War, the old Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It was a happy divorce by mutual consent. Both countries are now the best of neighbours.

2. I was able to travel by highway from Vienna to Bratislava, and from Bratislava to Prague without the hassle of border controls. This is the beauty of the Schengen Treaty which removed internal border controls for the majority of countries in the EU. The EU is an inspiration to us in ASEAN.

3. Many people had told me of the charm of Prague. The capital of the Czech Republic is indeed of rare beauty, with old bridges, castles, churches, monuments and libraries going back to the medieval ages.





4. I called on the PM yesterday and met Foreign Minister Karel Shwarzenberg today. Our bilateral relationship is problem free but not substantial. Going forward, there are only opportunities for both sides. The Czech people have a rich heritage and a strong intellectual tradition. Once freed of Communism, they are again flourishing.


With Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek


With Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg

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