New Czech Ambassador in Washington

H.E. Petr Kolar, the newly appointed Czech Ambassador to the US assumed his duties on December 2, 2005. On that day, Dr. Kolar presented his letter of credentials to the President of the United States, George W. Bush. Ambassador Kolar previously served in Prague as the Deputy Foreign Minister for Bilateral Relations (2003-05). His postings as Ambassador in the past include Ireland (1999-2003) and Sweden (1996-98). In the early nineties, he participated in a training program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, the time when I first met him. During my meeting with him, a few days after his appointment, I was very impressed about his enthusiasm with which he is approaching his new responsibilities and his vision for the future relations between the Czech Republic and the US. I did not need to brief him much about our Society since he was well informed about the SVU mission and its activities. He was impressed with the Society's acmcomplishments to date and was looking forward for close cooperation with SVU during his tenure, stating that the SVU visibility and image in the academic arena and its enormous expertise and extensive contacts worldwide will be a tremendous asset in his efforts. We touched briefly on various ways of possible cooperation and agreed to meet periodically to plan and implement some of the ideas. On behalf of SVU, I again welcome Ambassador Kolar to Washington, DC, wish him well in his new responsibilities and look forward to a productive cooperation with him in the future.