Government approves closure of five embassies

The Czech government on Wednesday approved the closure of five embassies within extensive cost-cutting measures in 2010. The Czech Republic will be closing down its diplomatic missions in Congo, Venezuela, Kenya, Yemen and Costa Rica. The CTK news agency says that the Czech consulate in Bombay, India may also have to be closed. The planned closure of selected embassies has come under fire from the opposition Social Democrats who claim it will hurt Czech exports. Originally the foreign ministry had proposed closing down as many as ten diplomatic missions. Negotiations are also underway on an embassy sharing scheme within the Višegrad group of states.