PRAUGE, April 25, 2018 (WAFA) – The Czech Republic affirmed its full respect to the common policy of the European Union, which considers Jerusalem as the future capital of both the State of Israel and the future State of Palestine.

In a statement on the opening of its Honorary Consulate and Czech Centre in West Jerusalem, the Czech Republic foreign ministry explained that, “It thus only acknowledged what is standard practice by other States when making their official visits to Israel,” said the statement.

According to usual diplomatic practice, States have their embassies in the capitals of the receiving States. This is why the Czech Republic has decided, as a first step, to open an honorary consulate in (led by Honorary Consul Mr. Dan Propper) in May and a new Czech Centre by the end of this year, both in West Jerusalem, said the ministry.

The statement confirmed that, “this step in no way prejudges the final agreement concerning Jerusalem, the same way as it is not being prejudged by diplomatic representations of several European countries that are seated in East Jerusalem.”

“Our presence in Jerusalem should enhance our mutual cooperation in many fields.”

The Czech Republic will go on striving for Jerusalem to remain an open city where people of different faiths can practice their beliefs freely. To make the city of Jerusalem a place of tolerance and understanding remains our ultimate goal, the statement concluded.

T.R.