Czech diplomacy in 2014 was marked with C, in the same way as in 2012 and 2013. Major topics in 2014 were the response to events in Ukraine and related threats to European security, the change in the course of Czech European policy and relations with neighbouring countries.

“The year 2014 was one of the most dramatic years in international politics since the end of the Cold War and it became patently clear that the idea that major international issues did not concern the Czech Republic was a delusion. Russia’s aggressive policy leading to the annexation of Crimea and the asymmetric war in eastern Ukraine, together with the rise of the Islamic State and the record waves of refugees at EU borders, meant that the main challenges for Czech society were no longer merely economic prosperity or the fight against corruption. As Minister Zaorálek aptly put it, the hour of diplomacy had arrived, and the future of Czech society was closely tied to foreign policy,” write the editors Vít Dostál and Jakub Eberle in the opening chapter.

The autors assume the year 2015 to be at least as demanding and unpredictable as the last year. Not only because of the confict in Ukraine that will continue to be a major determinant of European security. Mid-year, the
Czech Republic will take over the Presidency of the Visegrad Group and will thus have a unique opportunity to strengthen this vital Central European format. Conceptual documents, which should off er clear insight into the new government’s foreign policy thinking also await completion.

Agenda for Czech Foreign Policy is the annual publication on foreign policy of the Czech Republic and its priority areas which has been published by the AMO Research Center since 2007.