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Czech government not to block president's trip to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations — PM

Bohuslav Sobotka said it is necessary to perceive this visit in the context of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s liberation from fascism
Czech President Milos Zeman with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka EPA/FILIP SINGER
Czech President Milos Zeman with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka
© EPA/FILIP SINGER

PRAGUE, April 8 /TASS/. The Czech government will not prevent the country’s President Milos Zeman from visiting Moscow on May 8-10 to attend the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) against Nazi Germany, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka told journalists on Wednesday.

"The ministers of the Czech Social-Democratic Party do not want to block his trip," said Sobotka, the head of the biggest party in the Czech coalition government.

"We are convinced that it is necessary to perceive this visit in the context of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s liberation (from fascism). More than 100,000 Soviet servicemen died for the republic’s liberation," Sobotka said.

Bohuslav Sobotka added that the Czech position on Ukraine remained unchanged. "We are in no way putting to doubt the common approach of the EU and NATO member states to the Ukraine crisis," the Czech prime minister said.

The Czech Social-Democratic Party holds 8 out of 17 posts in the Czech government.