WIREDGOV

All European member states should act together, show solidarity and take responsibility to tackle the migration crisis. This was the message of foreign minister Bert Koenders and Minister for Immigration Klaas Dijkhoff on Friday during their visit to the Czech capital, Prague.

Europe is facing major challenges. Terrorism, conflicts in the Middle East and unrest on Europe’s periphery are threatening the continent’s stability. ‘These are issues that member states cannot solve on their own’, said Mr Koenders. ‘We need European cooperation that produces real results. That applies equally to foreign policy, migration and terrorism. Everyone has to do their bit.’

Migration crisis top priority

Addressing the migration crisis has top priority for the Dutch EU Presidency. Both Mr Koenders and Mr Dijkhoff believe that the dialogue with the Czech Republic is a very important part of that effort, as the country currently holds the Presidency of the Visegrad Group, an alliance between Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

During their discussions, both Dutch ministers emphasised that the migration crisis can only be solved by a joint European response. 'It is important that all member states fulfil their commitments, including those in Central Europe,’ said Dijkhoff. ‘We must take every opportunity to tackle the migration crisis. That is our message again here in the Czech Republic.’

Other priorities

The Dutch ministers consulted with a number of Czech colleagues, including Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister of Justice Robert Pelikán and Minister of the Interior Milan Chovanec. They discussed the other priorities of the EU Presidency, the importance of a deeper and fairer single market, and how to promote and safeguard the rule of law within Europe.

Mr Koenders also paid a visit to the Havel Library, where he spoke to the director about the country’s former president and his political legacy. ‘Václav Havel was a great advocate of democratic debate, human rights and the European ideal. These are core values of the European Union, which the Netherlands supports wholeheartedly’, Mr Koenders said.

Monument

Mr Koenders also announced that a monument is to be unveiled in Prague in 2017 in honour of Max van der Stoel (1924-2011). In 1977, as Dutch foreign minister, Van der Stoel was the first foreign dignitary to meet Czech dissident and philosopher Jan Patočka (1907-1977). At the time, together with Václav Havel, Patočka opposed the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia and, like Havel, was one of the founders of human rights movement Charta 77.