Visit from Czech Republic, ‘Velvet Revolution’ anniversary
Monday, 18 November 2019, 1:21 pm
Press Release: Office of the Speaker
Media Release
For release: 18 November
2019
Visit from Czech Republic coincides
with 30th anniversary of
‘Velvet Revolution’
A delegation from the
Czech Republic Chamber of Deputies visits the New Zealand
Parliament this week, coinciding with a significant
milestone for the nation.
This week marks the
30th Anniversary of the ‘Velvet Revolution’, which saw
the end of the one-party government in the former
Czechoslovakia. November 17 is also Struggle for Freedom and
Democracy Day, a national holiday in the Czech
Republic.
The visit is from the Chamber of Deputies’
Foreign Affairs Committee. It is led by Chamber
Vice-President, Vojtěch Pikal MP from the Czech Pirate
Party.
“I am pleased to welcome Mr Pikal and his
delegation to our Parliament this week. Our two nations have
a long and deep history, with links that stretch back to the
1860s,” said Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Trevor
Mallard.
“It’s a relationship that flourishes to this
day, with young Czechs visiting New Zealand on working
holidays, and many New Zealanders also visiting the Czech
Republic.
“This visit aims to give the delegation deeper
context into New Zealand in advance of the European
Union–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. We will also
discuss areas for further cooperation and growth in
bilateral relations.”
The Czech delegation will be in
Wellington from 19 to 21
November.
ENDS
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