Czech EU ambassador: time to correct country’s Eurosceptic image

The Czech ambassador to the European Union, Milena Vicenová, says she considers it essential to work on correcting the Czech Republic’s Eurosceptic reputation. In an interview for Czech Radio, Ms Vicenová said this widespread view was in many ways undeserved since it does not reflect the opinions of the general public, which are overwhelmingly pro-EU. The Czech ambassador said this negative image was hard to fight and stemmed largely from President Václav Klaus’s anti-EU sentiments, but also from the country’s frequent inability to present its views clearly and at the right time. She said it was time to convince the EU member states that the Czech Republic was trustworthy, willing to pull its weight and was capable of listening to others.