“The Czech Republic is trying to receive support in Brussels to continue Radio Liberty, this initiative has already been supported by 7 EU countries, Czech Minister for Europe Martin Dvorak said. Source: “European Truth” with reference to Ceske Novinyi Dvorak’s Direct Language: “The initiative draws attention to the difficult situation after the United States has stopped funding for Radio Liberty.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: “European Truth” with reference to Ceske noviny
Dvorak’s Direct Language: “The initiative draws attention to the difficult situation that has been stopped by Radio Liberty Funding. We believe that it is an extremely important and functioning source of independent information for countries where democracy and free media are currently lacking. We believe that it would be very unfortunate if we were allowed to die.”
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Details: The Czech Republic expects that other countries will join the initiative later.
In addition to negotiations with individual states, the Czechs also communicate with representatives of the European Commission.
“The commissioner (on Piotr’s budget), Serafin demonstrated great openness that it is very pleasant for me. The resources that can not be used, but which he has not yet specified will be the subject of negotiations,” Dvorak said.
He added that it would be the best solution if the US eventually decided not to cancel the funding.
“Therefore, we will try to persuade the US and the Trump administration at the same time to view this step. It may be a compromise that we could take on some of the funding at the European level,” Dvorak said.
He added that this situation cannot be solved instantly, since there are many buildings, property, employees, but the decisions are planned to be achieved within a few weeks.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky also mentioned the possibility of buying Radio Liberty at a meeting on March 17 in Brussels. Dvorak supports this option, but the problem is finance.
According to him, the Czech Republic is supported by the Baltic countries and some Western European countries, Prague also has the support of Poland, which, however, wants to remain neutral as a country leading in the EU Council.
Dvorak also noted that he would be glad if the Czech Prime Minister Petr Filah raised this topic at the future EU summit, which begins on March 20.
Prehistory:
- It is known that the abolition of Radio Liberty funding was related to US President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce US Global Media (USAGM).
- The EU’s main diplomat, Kai Callas, has said that the EU has not been able to automatically take over Radio Liberty funding, but has to study the situation and understand how the project can help.
- Earlier in Brussels, commenting on the decision of the Trump administration to stop the funding “Radio Liberty” and the actual stop of speech “Voice of America”, they said it would play with common enemies.