Prague/Berlin/Brussels, Jan 29 (CTK) – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker congratulated President Milos Zeman on his re-election on Monday, joining their Russian and Chinese counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who did so before them.
European Council President Donald Tusk also congratulated Zeman on defending his post of the head of state. In his letter to Zeman, Tusk said he believes the Czech Republic would keep playing a constructive and active role in the European Union at a time when the EU tries to more address the concerns of its citizens.
Tusk, who is from Poland, ended his English letter with a sentence of congratulations written in Czech.
Steinmeier stressed that along with history and a link within the EU and NATO, the Czech Republic and Germany were tied by their commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the preservation of man’s dignity in open society.
“We want to shape the future of our countries together, in the spirit of real partnership,” Steinmeier said.
He highlighted his recent visit to Prague.
“I am looking forward to another opportunity to continue with our discussion,” Steinmeier said.
Juncker said he was also looking forward to the continuation of good cooperation with Zeman.
“In an increasingly polarised and complex world, we need to build bridges within and between countries. In this context, I look forward to our continued cooperation on matter of mutual interest, as well as on our common positive agenda for Europe,” Juncker writes in the letter posted on his Twitter account.
Zeman, supported by the Euro-sceptical Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), defeated academic Jiri Drahos, who advocates warmer relations with the EU, in the runoff vote at the weekend.
