LN: Deputy Defence Minister Šedivý leaves for NATO

Prague, April 25 (CTK) - Czech Deputy defence Minister Jiri Sedivy will be Czech ambassador to NATO as from September, daily Lidove noviny (LN) writes Wednesday.

The current Czech extraordinary representative to the EU, Martin Povejsil, will take the same position in the EU, Ceska pozice server wrote formerly.

Tha NATO ambassador's major task is to deal with the Alliance's requirements and to convey to it national stands, LN writes.

It says the Czech diplomatic mission to NATO is the second highest after the EU one. It has about 50 people, including soldiers.

LN writes that Sedivy's nomination is still classified information, referring to Vit Kolar, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry that has the decisive say in personnel filling the mission.

Sedivy was defence minister from September 2006 until January 2007 in the first government of prime minister Mirek Topolanek (Civic Democrats, ODS).

He was also deputy to Alexandr Vondra (ODS) when Vondra was deputy prime minister for European affairs. Sedivy was also NATO deputy secretary general.

At the Defence Ministry, Sedivy is in charge of foreign projects, including the building of a joint helicopter centre.

Vondra has entrusted him with the preparation of the military's concept for the next decade.