Prague, Sept 7 (CTK) – Former Czech diplomat Petr Kolar has stepped down as head of the supervisory board of the Initiative for European Values group so that his publicly presented views and opinions about his possible candidacy for president do not harm the NGO, he told CTK in a press release on Wednesday.
The Initiative for European Values is a NGO aimed to promote the principles of liberal democracy and pro-Western orientation, mainly at secondary schools.
Kolar wrote that his personal views have recently been often confused for the views of the NGO, sometimes unrightfully.
“I personally have very strong stances on how to solve the migrant crisis or fight lethal Islamism. I alone am responsible for my views, which is why I want to prevent potential collisions and act on my own as of the autumn,” Kolar said.
“The Initiative has been doing a perfect work in the area of civic education and I will still keep my fingers crossed for it,” Kolar said.
Some mention Kolar as a potential candidate in the direct presidential polls due in early 2018, but Kolar has not yet decided whether to seek the post.
“Naturally, I am happy to see some people placing trust in me. However, I will decide on my possible candidacy only next spring. At present, I am considering the step, regarding the atmosphere in the Czech Republic and the number of threats our country is faced with,” Kolar said.
In the past, Kolar was a deputy foreign minister and the ambassador to countries such as the USA and Russia.
The Initiative for European Values was founded in April 2015. Its head is Radko Hokovsky. It plans to stage dozens of discussion meetings at Czech secondary schools this autumn.
