Programme Declaration Of the Czech Republic government (2005)

 Programme Declaration of the Government of the Czech Republic

1. Introduction

The Government of the Czech Republic, created by the common will of Czech Social Democratic Party, Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party and Union of Freedom – Democratic Union, comes before the public and the Chamber of Deputies with the conviction that it is seeking confidence on the basis of a clearly defined programme of new government policy.

2. Preamble: goals and priorities

The Government will strive to promote democratic rule of law and free and equal participation of citizens in the life of society in which the regions and communities play their irreplaceable role. The Government will help within the framework of the European model to develop the Czech Republic as a democratic and modern social State with advanced market economy based on knowledge and able to guarantee stable economic growth, a higher number and quality of jobs, a higher standard of living and greater social cohesion, while respecting the goals of sustainable development.

The Government starts from the auspicious results of the first year of the membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union. The Government will reinforce on this basis the task of the Czech Republic in further promotion of European integration. At the same time, it will endeavour to exploit to the full the possibilities and benefits that the Czech Republic gains from membership in the EU.

The Government will carry on the work of the previous Governments and will endeavour to deepen European integration and foreign policy orientated at security, safeguarding of human rights and international law, and equitable and multicultural world order.

The Government will concentrate on these priorities:

• participation in transatlantic and international cooperation based on the principle of equality in international relations, active and constructive participation of the Czech Republic in the process of deepening European integration, with a view to ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe,

• accelerated economic growth on the basis of innovation, investment in modern technologies and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, acceptance of medium-term strategy of economic growth in the Czech Republic for 20052013, guaranteeing increased competitiveness of the Czech economy on the basis of the reformulated Lisbon Strategy,

• stabilization of public finances and increased effectiveness of public expenditure, with the aim of joining the European Monetary Union by the year 2010, having the deficit of public budgets deep below the limit of 4% for 2006 and starting a trend, so that from the year 2008 deficit of public budgets does not exceed three per cent of Gross Domestic Product,

• support for small and medium-sized enterprises on the basis of EU financed aid, increased subsidies and extended consulting for businesses and workers, creating conditions for partnerships between the public and private sector, reducing the price of credits and facilitating access to credit financing and simplifying and speeding up the bankruptcy procedure by passing a new bankruptcy law,

• consistent combat against corruption, criminality, grey and black economy, increased enforceability of law and protection of the public interest, passing a conflict of interests law,

• put in place tax reforms reducing taxes to groups of people with low and middle incomes,

• reduce unemployment in relation to the improved economic performance, and by modifying the system of social care benefits and active employment policy,

• much higher investment in support of lifelong education, flexible education system and active employment policy, on the basis of completing the programme of Strategy of Development of Human Resources in the Czech Republic,

• support for families with children by creating a supportive social and economic environment on the basis of a new family policy concept,

• promoting equal opportunities for men and women on the basis of national action plan ‘Priorities and procedures of the Government in promoting equality between men and women’,

• creating the widest possible political consensus on acceptance of the best variant of pension reform guaranteeing dignified old age to today’s young and middle generation, starting work on legislative support for pension reform,

• guarantee availability, equality and quality of health care at the best achievable level of medicine on the basis of new health care laws,

• passing of laws and secondary legislation reforming housing policy,

• much higher investment in support of research and development and creating conditions for cooperation between universities and research institutes and enterprises by passing a law on public research institutions,

• improving conditions for quality life in rural areas and respect for the environment by consistent application of the principles of Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.

These programme priorities are elaborated in the form of partial objectives and specific goals in the chapters below.

The Government will take its programme steps within a time frame determined by the regular elections to the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of the Czech Republic in 2006 and with regard to the need to prepare longer term projects aiming at the year 2010.

3. Membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union

The first year of our membership in the European Union confirmed that our country gained by joining the European Union a qualitatively new space to exercise its interests on international scale. The Czech Republic joined one of the most influential groupings of today’s world and can thus contribute much more effectively to address global problems it faces. The year’s membership of the Czech Republic in the European Union had a clear and generally accepted positive effect on the development of the Czech economy. This trend will be supported by the Government.

The biggest enlargement to date, level of integration achieved and the need for its further directing made it necessary to put the activities of the European Union on a new contractual basis. This is why the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was negotiated and signed. It is a significant document which the Government believes the citizens of the Czech Republic should express their opinion on in a referendum. For this reason the Government will organize a referendum in connection with the regular parliamentary elections in 2006. The Government’s intent is, in every case, if the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe is approved by Parliament of the Czech Republic, to have it ratified so that it can come into force in the second half of 2006. The Government will launch an information campaign for the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in order to provide to the citizens qualified and objective information on the consequences of its ratification in all areas of life of the Czech Republic.

The Government will formulate and pursue thea common foreign and security policy of the European Union. In doing so it will base its steps on Czech national interests and defined priorities. It considers important further enlargement of the European Union to the western Balkans. Together with policy of European neighbourhood it sees this as an important instrument guaranteeing security and economic prosperity in Europe. In pursuance of its security policy the Czech Republic will continue to base its actions on the European security strategy.

In conformity with its strategy for economic growth the Government will prepare a National Development Plan of the Czech Republic 20072013 for drawing aid from the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. The Government will pay utmost attention to talks about the financial perspective of the European Union for the period 20072013 with an emphasis on the traditional values of the European Union – solidarity, social cohesion, reconciliation of differences between regions and with special reference to the needs of the new Member States of the European Union.

The Government attaches much importance to the content of the reformulated Lisbon Strategy, whose two goals are economic growth and jobs. In this respect the Government of the Czech Republic will prepare a National Reform Programme which will comprise specific measures aimed in support of economic growth and creation of new jobs at the national level. The National Reform Programme will be based on the strategy of economic growth of the Czech Republic for 2005-2013.

4. Economic policy and public finance

4.1. Economic policy

At present it is evident that the Czech economy is in the best state in the last ten years. (This year and next year the economic strategy of the Government expects growth in GDP at 4%-5%). The main aim of the Government’s economic strategy is to reinforce this trend by further acceleration of economic growth and active combat against unemployment. To guarantee permanent prosperity it is necessary to combine this aim with completion of public finance reform and to create conditions for the fastest possible approximation of our economic standard with the advanced countries of the European Union.

The Government will approve the medium-term strategy for economic growth of the Czech Republic for 20052013 on the basis of the reformulated Lisbon Strategy principles, which will become a key document for coordination of activities of the Government affecting economic growth and increasing competitiveness of the Czech economy.

The Government will strive for permanent growth of competitiveness of Czech firms by effective support for export, development of the business and investment environment and support for development of science, research, development, and innovation.

4.1.1. Development of the business and investment environment

To support permanently development of the business and investment environment in the Czech Republic as one of the key conditions for acceleration of economic growth and combat against unemployment, the Government will adopt the following measures:

• It will consistently continue to improve the legal environment for business by speeding up the incorporation process, setting up a single registration place for entrepreneurs at trade licensing offices, introducing the possibility of editation obligation in tax administration and simplifying and accelerating the bankruptcy procedure (it will bring before Parliament of the Czech Republic a bankruptcy bill),

• It will arrange for an analysis of the laws to identify the administrative burden on enterprises and prepare proposals for modifications of the laws to reduce this by at least 20 per cent,

• In the legislative process the Government will consistently demand that new legislation submitted to the Government includes an analysis of its impact on the business environment,

• It will guarantee maximum use of resources of the European Union in preparation for the new programme period for 20072013; it will endeavour to combine effectively financial resources for support of business from funds of the European Union, the state budget and the private sector (commercial banks),

• It will continue to implement an effective system of support for small and medium-sized enterprises through targeted programmes financed from the Structural Funds of the European Union and national sources;

• It will concentrate support more on facilitation of access of firms to investment funds and development plans and to improve consulting services for enterprises,

• It will present a new conception of support for small and medium-sized Enterprises for 20072013, which will become a key strategic document for preparation of programmes in support of enterprise; while doing so the Government will closely cooperate with business representation,

• It will adopt measures to reduce and simplify administrative demands on traders by permitting more flat-rate costs,

• It will continue to support investment and create new jobs; it will evaluate the existing investment support system and then bring before Parliament an investment incentives bill whose aim will be higher support of investment in development, production and services with high added value; it will give increased support to establishment of new technological centres and strategic services,

• In support for development of industrial zones it will prefer strategic investment in the most structurally afflicted areas of the Czech Republic,

• It will improve and make clearer environmental legislation in order to support development of prospective environmentally friendly technologies, increase effectiveness of Czech enterprises and reinforce their competitiveness in advanced world markets,

• It will strengthen the role of the Economic Council of the Government and Council for the Development of the Business Environment in their orientation on permanent improvement and simplification of the business environment in the Czech Republic,

• It will make more effective the system supporting Czech firms in international trade fairs and exhibitions, to concentrate on key markets and expansion of promotional and presentation activities of the Government and building a positive image of the Czech Republic for foreign investors and business partners. For this purpose it will consistently fulfil the newly adopted conception of official participation of the Czech Republic in international trade fairs and exhibitions abroad.

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4.1.2. Support for exports

In order to support effectively exports the Government will adopt the following measures:

• It will approve a new conception of pro-export policy for 20062010, which will become a key strategic document for development of Czech export and support for competitiveness of firms in international markets,

• It will devise, based on the conception of pro-export policy for 20062010 and in collaboration with business representation a strategy for furthering commercial and political interests of the Czech Republic in the European Union and in priority overseas territories; this strategy will permit effective channelling of financial, institutional, commercial and political instruments in support of Czech firms in key international markets,

• It will assure an integral offer of programmes and services of Czech Export Bank, Export Guarantee and Insurance Company and the Czech agency in support of trade, CzechTrade, which are the key executive institutions in State support for Czech exporters; this offer will be more concentrated on pro-export support of small and medium-sized enterprises,

• It will create conditions necessary for capital expansion of the best Czech firms abroad,

• It will continue to pursue the common trade policy of the European Union and will further commercial and political interests of the Czech Republic in bodies of the European Union. The Government will support continuous liberalization of conditions for world trade in goods and services.

4.1.3. Support for science, research, development and innovation

The Government will create conditions for development of knowledge-based society in which research and development will have together with education a clear priority. Part of these efforts will be creation of space for growth investment in the whole scientific complex and optimization of its management leading to functional integration of its constituent parts.

The Government’s policy will support full involvement of the Czech Republic in the European research space and decision-making processes in research and development in the European Union. The Government will draft an integrated conception of support for research and development, basing it on an updated National Policy for Research and Development and National Innovation Policy, and will propose more expenditure from the state budget on research and development so that public expenditure on research and development totals by the year 2010 the amount of 1% of GDP. The Government will create with fiscal policy instruments an environment motivating the private sector, including foreign investors, to a substantially higher share of financing of research and development.

The Government’s policy will place an emphasis on regular and objective evaluation of the results of research and development, which will be one of the decisive criteria for further distribution of financial aid for research and development from public sources.

In order to support research, development and innovation the Government will adopt these measures:

• It will take care to interrelate research and development policy with innovation policy and link innovation policy with results of industrial research and development and their effective application in new and innovated products, technologies and services; results of industrial research and development projects must serve as input for technical innovation projects,

• It will support corporate investment in applied research, development and innovation with a system of targeted aid through depreciation policy.

4.1.4. Further measures the Government will take in economic policy

The economic policy of the Government will be complemented with the following measures:

• It will consistently strive to protect Czech consumers and Czech manufacturers; it will continue to protect citizens against unfair business practices and misleading advertising,

• It will endeavour to combine industrial activities with development of the transport infrastructure; in addition to developing the road and motorway network it will support as a matter of priority public railway transport and if new means of railway transport are needed it will monitor opportunities for Czech industrial firms,

• It will support reductions in energy demands of the national economy; it will adopt an updated National Programme in support of energy savings and use of renewable sources of energy 2006, and to achieve this objective it will focus on support for effective use of renewable and in the conditions of the Czech Republic effective energy sources,

• In industry and the power industry the Government will continue to restructure and privatize some companies, for example Vítkovice Steel, Aero Vodochody and Severočeské doly.

4.2. Public finance

The Government considers continuation of the reform of public budgets a precondition for economic growth sustainable in the long term and its acceleration in the next few years, as well as introduction of the common European currency by the year 2010. The Government will continue in conformity with the adopted Conception of Reform of Public Budgets to reduce the public budget deficit so that it is in 2006 lower than four per cent and not later than 2008 it does not exceed three per cent of Gross Domestic Product. The Government will consistently follow the Convergence Programme in its budgetary policy.

The Government will respect in the preparations for the common currency the strategy pursued by the Government and the Czech National Bank.

To achieve these macroeconomic goals the Government will adopt measures necessary on the revenue and expenditure side of public budgets.

On the revenue side the Government:

• will not table proposals for increasing tax rates and will stabilize the composite tax quota at the level of laws passed reform public finance, so that the overall tax burden is lower in 2006 in relation to GDP than in 20032005,

• will push through a significant reduction in income tax for individuals with middle and low incomes,

• will continue wide discussion about simplification of income tax to make clearer the conditions for payment of taxes while preserving motivation supporting growth and innovation; it will prepare further proposals in this area.

To make tax administration more efficient the Government will continue the process of modernization of tax and customs administration, extend possibilities for filing electronic tax returns, make more information available to taxpayers and generally improve the business. The Government will continue to combat all manifestations of grey economy, tax evasion, corruption and other negative economic phenomena, using effectively all new legislative instruments.

The Government will consider the question of efficient integration of different information systems and databases used by tax authorities, social security offices and health insurance companies.

The Government will increase intensity and publicity of inspections and prosecution of sales of smuggled and counterfeit merchandise, untaxed tobacco products and alcohol, trademark and copyright violations in the Czech market; the Government will adopt effective measures against illegal employment and abuse of the social security system.

On the expenditure side of public budgets the Government:

• will reinforce strategic management and compulsory programming of public expenditure and will continue to reduce and restructure expenditure, and adopt system measures with a long-term saving effect,

• will prepare a system for joint placement of selected public orders,

• will continue to streamline state administration and ministries using findings of process and organizational audits.

The Government will abolish the National Property Fund by 31.12.2005. The Government will prepare the Czech Consolidation Agency for winding up its activities in 2007 and assure at the same time effective administration and sale of debts accumulated there and will continue to privatize state shares where privatization has already been started or can be carried out effectively and transparently within one year. The Government will continue in cooperation with the Czech National Bank in transition to a system of management of expenditure from the state budget and state funds through the State Treasury.

The Government will effectively pursue legitimate interests of the Czech Republic in preparation of the financial perspective of the European Union for 20072013. The Government will support restructuring of the state budget that will strengthen resources for cofinancing projects paid from the budget of the European Union, resources in support of science, research, education and transport infrastructure, so that expenditure on the Government’s programme priorities does not violate approved budget frameworks and is financed only from savings and revaluation of other types of expenditure, including mandatory expenditure.

With regard to drawing aid from the budget of the European Union, the Government realizes the obligation to assure the best possible conditions for drawing it and the necessity of restructuring the national subsidy programmes in favour of cofinancing.

With awareness of its constitutional responsibility for public budgets as a whole the Government will continue to monitor financial management of districts and municipalities and operate preventively against excessive indebtedness in this sphere of public budgets.

The Government will prepare a conception of modernization and development of the control system in the Czech Republic to reinforce control of public expenditure.

The Government will draft an amendment to the Lottery Act in order to reinforce transparency and regulation in this area. The Government will create by 1.1.2006 legislative and regulatory conditions for development of partnership between the public and private sector.

The Government will continue to integrate supervisory authorities in the financial market in order to make supervision more effective and improve conditions for enterprise in financial services. In the first phase the Government will present a law reducing the number of supervisory institutions from four to two. The Government will also pay attention to reinforcement of client protection in the financial market.

The Government will devote a significant part of its efforts to systematic and targeted support of non-profit organizations, whose activities are of vital importance to social services, care for the handicapped, treating social pathologies, protection of the environment, protection of cultural heritage and development of community life. For this purpose the Government will consider the passing of a law on tax assignations, which could support financially the non-profit sector and lead to more participation of citizens in administration of their taxes.

4.3 Transport

The Government regards the transport infrastructure as one of the pillars of economic growth. The Government will continue in its efforts to build on the State territory a capacity and performing transport infrastructure to improve transport service and support economic development of the country.

With this aim in mind it will stabilize incomes of the State Transport Infrastructure Fund (SFDI) in an amount of at least 50 billion crowns and arrange for drawing aid from the European funds.

The Government will begin talks with the European Commission about preparations for the new financial period of the European Union to increase funds allocated to the Czech Republic for 20072013 for investment in transport networks and prepare cofinancing necessary to draw on European funds.

The Government will prepare a new State Transport Policy in order to coordinate development of transport systems and increase their operational reliability and safety.

The Government will prepare for the introduction of a system of toll charges for trucks in 2006 in order to assure income for the State Transport Infrastructure Fund and make car and railway transport equal in price.

The Government will support in collaboration with the districts development of public transport to prevent excessive growth in passenger car transport.

The Government’s priorities in development of the transport infrastructure are:

• complete the motorway connection between the Czech Republic and the FRG Ústí (D8) and Plzeň (D5) motorway,

• complete further new sections of the Hradec (D11) and Brno (D1) motorway,

• construct the České Budějovice (D3) and Ostrava (D47) motorway,

• construct capacity road connections the Prague bypass, Karlovy Vary, Písek (R6), (R4), Chomutov (R7) and Těšín (R48) carriageway,

• complete modernization of the 1^st and 2^nd transit rail corridor and connect them in the 3^rd corridor at track speed of 160 kph,

• speed up beginning of construction of the 4^th rail corridor Prague – Linz and construction of 3^rd rail corridor Prague – Plzeň – Cheb,

• reconstruct railway nodes and modernize the nodes Prague and Brno,

• complete new check-in terminal at the airport Prague-Ruzyně,

• improve navigation conditions on the Elbe by construction of a lock at Přelouč and preparation of a lock at Děčín.

The Government will be financing repair and maintenance of the base road and rail network.

The Government will support programmes for renewal of vehicles and modernization of public transport rolling stock. It will support renewal of rail cars at the national and international level by making use of membership of the supranational organization EUROFIMA.

The Government will adopt effective measures to increase safety of road traffic and reduce the number of deaths in road accidents. It will take measures improve the activities of vehicle test stations.

The Government will support development of combined transport in order to reduce the number of trucks on roads and increase the volume of railway goods transport.

The Government undertakes to guarantee citizens access to public transport services to the necessary extent, quality, and at an acceptable price.

5. Social cohesion

The Government wants to strengthen social cohesion through an active social and family policy, creating conditions for equal opportunities for men and women, lifelong education, health care, support for culture, science and research.

The Government supports social dialog and will discuss fundamental measures concerning social and economic development with the social partners. The Government wants to use the Council for Economic and Social Concord and collective bargaining on all levels in the sector of public administration and services.

The Government will prepare legal and institutional changes so that the legislation provide means to enforce observance of the ban on discrimination.

An integral part of protection of human rights is protection of rights of national minorities and excluded population groups. Attention will be paid to support of minority cultures and intercultural education in society. The Government will also carry on system measures to prevent social exclusion.

The Government will create conditions for development of civic society and the non-profit sector as an irreplaceable element of democracy and partner of the State. The Government will create conditions for effective use of the European Social Fund and cofinancing of programmes supported through this Fund. Increased attention will be paid to gradual implementation of the programmes so that they help to fulfil the priorities of the Czech Republic in development of human resources and reinforced social cohesion.

5.1. Social policy and social security

Social policy of the Government will concentrate in conformity with the strategy of the European Union on modernization of social systems of the Czech Republic. The focus will be on combat against unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, an all-round and balanced system of support for families with children, a sound income policy and flexibility in legal protection of workers and attaining the European standards in sickness and accident insurance and safety and protection of health at work.

The Government:

• will create the widest possible political consensus with respect to adoption of the best form of pension reform and will start work on its legislative framework,

• will review all feasible motivation instruments in support of legal employment, consider issue of common social security and health insurance identification cards to all contributors, and will systematically combat in cooperation with European Union bodies abuse of social security benefits and illicit work,

• will bring before the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament the Czech Republic a Social Services Bill based on individual contributions which will create conditions for strengthening the network of social services and equal involvement of the non-profit sector, in order to guarantee to children, seniors and handicapped persons high quality of life, their activation and social inclusion,

• will bring before the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament the Czech Republic a new law on the minimum wage and the subsistence level,

• will preserve basic securities of citizens and modernize solidarity social security systems,

• will adopt consensual reform measures guaranteeing long-term functionality, financial stability and viability of the social security systems,

• will valorize pensions that have already been granted so that today’s pensioners share in the growth in the wealth of our society.

5.2. Family policy

The Government regards it its priority to strive to overcome the critical state of demographic development in the Czech Republic, which jeopardizes the future of our society and our nation. The Government realize that child care and support of families with children demand a new comprehensive solution.

The Government:

• will draft a Conception of Family Policy,

• will create conditions enabling young couples to harmonize their family and professional lives,

• will support development of public services in order to facilitate to young people having a family of their own,

• will strive to create social and economic conditions enabling women and men to combine well child care and care for seniors with work, which may involve non-traditional forms of work when caring for children and development of pre-school facilities,

• will simplify and restructure the state social security system and consider the structure of child benefit,

• will help district and municipal councils with their with their general assistance to families with children to guarantee health and safety of children, counselling concerning education and partner and family relations and to provide more information to municipalities and families on family assistance and entitlement to it,

• will bring before the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of the Czech Republic an amendment to the law on social and legal protection of children in order to improve conditions for forms of substitute family care enabling children to grow up in an environment as close as possible to family environment, including foster care.

5.3. Housing

In housing the Government considers its priority realization of ‘Conception of Housing Policy’, approved by the Government on 16 March 2005. The Government respects the role of the State in this area which keeps balance between economic performance of the housing market and social justice. The housing market must be directed by the State and joint decision-making of citizens in order to create the most favourable conditions for citizens’ lives and application of principles of solidarity, social justice and sustainable development.

The Government will implement a short-term programme based on the approved Conception to:

• complete the legislative process for legal regulation of assistance with housing construction from the State Housing Development Fund and pass a law on non-profit housing associations,

• have new legal regulation of house ownership in order to increase effectiveness of housing management,

• have new legal regulation of rents which will give tenants and house owners legal certitude and lead to gradual elimination of deformations while respecting internationally recognized principles and public interest in gradual and socially sensitive deregulation of rents.

The Government will elaborate regulation of rented non-profit housing on the principle of transparent and socially directed public assistance. To supplement the existing resources in support of housing from the state budget or the State Housing Development Fund the Government will strive to raise supplementary funds from the EU Structural Funds for reconstruction of high-rise buildings in the budget period of the European Union 2007–2013. Humanization and reconstruction of existing buildings is a high priority.

The Government will continue to help young families and young people under 36 to be able to obtain their first home. It will support this objective by targeted support helping people to obtain a flat of their own or a cooperative flat or to reconstruct their housing. It will also make sure through targeted social support for seniors and low-income households that they do not suffer poverty as a result of the gradual deregulation of rents.

5.4. Employment, industrial relations, safety and health at work

Achievement of full effective employment is a strategic goal of the Government within the meaning of European Employment Strategy, which rests on four pillars – improving employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and equal opportunities. Cognizant of this, the Government:

• will streamline the structure and function of employment services so that they meet the current needs of the employment market,

• will strive to have education, professional training, retraining and vocational counselling are the main means ensuring job seekers have skills and know-how in demand in the job market,

• will create conditions for all population groups sharing equitably in economic growth,

• will present a new Labour Code which will extend contract freedom in industrial relations and allow ratification of international treaties,

• will ensure by agreement with the social partners adoption of a salary negotiating mechanism in public administration and services,

• will concentrate on reducing unemployment in the hardest hit regions,

• will support projects whose implementation will create new jobs, e.g. in public and social services,

• will create conditions for realization and control of workers’ right to same remuneration for work of the same value,

• will improve enforceability of industrial law,

• will reinforce motivation function of the minimum wage and minimum wage rates,

• will reduce tax burden on low-income groups of taxpayers to motivate them to accept lower paid jobs,

• will bring before the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of the Czech Republic a new law on accident insurance as part of the system of public social insurance,

• will bring before the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of the Czech Republic a new law on sickness insurance and introduce ceilings for payments of social insurance contributions for workers.

5.5. Health care

The Government will pursue a modern health policy with balanced financing, mainly from public health insurance funds and in compliance with law of the European Union.

Concrete measures:

The Government will discuss and bring before Parliament key laws guaranteeing necessary health care to every citizen in the Czech Republic: a law on health facilities and a health care law. This will guarantee that health care will continue to be available, equal and of a good standard, the standard of modern medical science.

The Government will continue to support preventive programmes which help to diagnose in time diseases and to adopt the recommended lifestyle and care for one’s own physical, mental and social health. The Government will continue to complete the network of health care facilities in cooperation with representatives of the districts.

The Government wants to address without delay the complex issue of organization of health care in Prague and providing health care to inhabitants of the district of Central Bohemia.

The Government will focus its attention on provision of health and social care with a view to the unfavourable demographic development of ageing of the population not only to extend average length of life but also to guarantee comprehensive care for older people.

The Government will not reduce the scope of health care funded from solidarity public health insurance and does not intend to increase patients’ cofinancing. The Government will adopt a multi-stage conception of health care supplemented with short-term stabilization measures with expected positive economic impact on the revenue and expenditure sides of the system of public health insurance. The function of general practitioners as coordinators of provision of health care in all its segments must play a key role.

The Government will present a drugs bnes and categorized health care means. Activities of pharmacotherapy commissions will be renewed with methodical outputs for all physicians.

The Government will strive to provide more information to citizens and exercise of their rights in and provision of health care through health books, the hospital ombudsman, information on health care abroad, overviews of financial management of insurance companies.

Regular press conferences will continue to be held at the level of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic to discuss topical issues and provide information to citizens to reinforce their social security and to educate the public. This method of collaboration with health trade unions, the Czech Medical Chamber and patients’ associations will lead to more rational decision-making with regard to further diagnostics and treatment centres and their equipment.

The Government will be mindful of systematic use of means to improve mental health according to the conclusions of the Declaration of Helsinki signed in January 2005.

6. Knowledge and information based society

6.1. Science and research

The Government will strive to create conditions for the development of knowledge based society on the basis of harmonious development of science, research and development at universities and other research institutions, in particular the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. In conformity with current European trends it will ensure that support for basic research does not lag behind. It will concentrate on support for approximation of extracurricular institutions with university research and development. It considers it essential to develop cooperation between universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Development of knowledge based society is not seen by the Government as narrow orientation on the development of natural and technical sciences or applied research. The Government will place an emphasis on development of social research, in particular principles of democratic and socially just society as one of the requisites of development and cultivation of civic society and the public and innovation of state administration. Part of the policy of the Government will be emphasis on regular and objective evaluation of results of research and development, which will be one of the main criteria for further allocation of financial support to research and development from public sources.

6.2. Education

The Government considers education its priority and will strive for its development and will strive for the Czech Republic to hold her own in this area in an international comparison, in particular in the European Union, and to achieve the objectives of the reformulated Lisbon Strategy.

The Government will continue to reform the education system in order to create an integrated and open education system guaranteeing lifelong education. Following passing of the new Education Act the Government will concentrate on reform of curricula and their high quality. To maintain high quality of education the Government will support systematic evaluation of outputs from the education system in nodal points of the education system. It will focus on development of key skills and know-how, promoting information and civic literacy and teaching of foreign languages.

Aware that economic growth in a knowledge based society rests with educated citizens, it will pay increased attention to tertiary, that is university and higher technical education.

The Government undertakes to maintain and extend availability of education and the principle of free public elementary, secondary and university education. It undertakes to increase and diversify financing of universities (in accordance with the document of the European Commission Growth and Jobs of April 2005). In doing so the Government:

• taking account of local and financial availability, it will support widest participation of children in pre-school education,

• will create better conditions for inclusion of pupils with health and social handicaps in educational programmes of elementary and secondary schools,

• will extend access to higher education, including tertiary, to children from less supportive social environments,

• will create comparable conditions for education in the second form of elementary school education and in lower years of the multi-year gymnasium,

• will promote equal opportunities in education of members of ethnic minorities,

• will support education in arts and language schools as an indispensable element of the education system.

The Government undertakes to maintain comparable position of all schools. The Government will promote a safe environment in schools. Humiliation, intimidation, uncontrolled aggressiveness (bullying), manifestations of racism and xenophobia must be consistently combated in schools like other socially pathological phenomena. The Government undertakes to aid institutions which provide in these efforts to schools and parents sufficient methodical and technical assistance.

The Government undertakes to improve conditions for the work of teachers in accordance with the current efforts of OECD and the European Union, including salary conditions. A decisive role will be played in this by implementation of a law on teachers and support for reform of both postgraduate and further education of teachers, whose aim is to create an integral system for education of teachers, for whose quality the State and universities will share responsibility.

The Government will maintain an integral education system while respecting priorities of the districts and will complete processes leading to rationalization and subsequent stabilization of the school network, in particular in relation to the real state of the population, to assure general availability of pre-school and primary education and to optimize the structure of secondary education with special reference to secondary technical education.

The Government will submit a further education bill and increase motivation with a system of certification and transferability of certificates to schools, develop an information environment in further education, and provide for writing costs of further education off the tax base of natural persons.

The Government undertakes to complete the reform of university education which will lead to strengthening the role of universities as the main source of innovation necessary for economic and socially sustainable development of the State and to increase competitiveness of universities in the European space for university education and research and development and by extension, economic competitiveness.

The changes will lead to restructuring education into that that can be used directly in the employment market and generally oriented (bachelor) programmes, advanced studies at universities providing qualifications for work at the master’s level, preparation for work in research and development and academic careers of workers in research and development.

This restructuring will allow a higher percentage of the population to receive tertiary education.

The key instrument is transformation and reinforced financing of universities. Budgets of universities will be increased in the medium term to take account of quality and specialization of schools, students’ success rate, cooperation between universities and industry and the business sphere, activities of schools in the regions, and a new financing methodology will support research and development at universities. The Government will give legislative and fiscal support financing activities of universities from multiple resources. It will support corporate investment in education with a system of targeted depreciation policy system.

The Government will strive to keep talented university graduates and young specialists (under 35) in the domestic employment market by reinforcing and effectively coordinating support for starting research workers at universities and research institutes, by supporting introduction of development programmes creating state-of-the-art cooperating university workplaces which will make the work of university graduates more attractive. At the same time the Government will create an environment that will motivate more to close cooperation between secondary schools and universities and employers.

The Government realizes that knowledge of world languages and in particular English is a high priority in the efforts to raise the competitiveness of Czech citizens in the global and single European employment market. The Government therefore undertakes to prepare a National Plan of teaching foreign languages 20052008 to create an environment motivating people to learn foreign languages and increasing language competences.

6.3. Children, young people, sports

In the field of the work with children the Government will create conditions for leisure activities and education in art and language schools which are considered an intrinsic part of the educational system. The emphases will be placed on improving the quality of legal system, particularly at the functions of the state that guarantee and certification functions of the state in the work with children and youth and at the support of organizations involved in leisure time activities of children and young people.

The Government will promote prevention of socially pathological phenomena, in particular drug addiction of teenagers through effective interdepartmental cooperation.

The Government will support the development and social availability of a wide spectrum of sports activities. It will create optimum conditions for everyday systematic activities of active sportsmen, trainers, coaches. It will pay increased attention to training of talented young people and support for the national teams.

6.4. Information society

In accordance with the initiative of the European Commission eEurope and the related initiative i2010 the Government promotes the idea of building an information space without frontiers. The Government will support further implementation and more effective use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in public administration and services, schools, small and medium-sized enterprises, and in everyday life of our citizens. The Government considers these technologies an important instrument supporting development of education, increasing competitiveness of the economy and quality of public administration services. To achieve these goals the Government follow principles laid down in State Information and Communication Policy (e-Cesko 2006) and State Information Policy in Education. The goal is to be able by the year 2006 to deal electronically with the most important official business and to achieve at least 50% of computer literacy and maximum availability and use of ICT. The Government will support the start of regular digital television broadcasting. The Government will support the preparation of a new Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (2007–2013) of the European Union as an instrument for achieving the goals set out in the initiative i2010.

Concretely, the Government:

• will prepare a law on data sharing in public administration (registry law),

• will continue to coordinate and integrate services of the communication infrastructure pro public administration,

• will continue to develop the public administration portal and the possibility of electronic viewing of selected registers and make the most frequent submissions electronically,

• will support further development of information technologies in schools,

• will continue to implement the National Programme of computer literacy,

• will complete connection of all public libraries to the Internet,

• will complete State Information Policy in education,

• will prepare Conception development digital Broadcasting in the Czech Republic,

• will adopt measures in support of high-speed connection to the Internet as contained in Broadband Strategy,

• will prepare National Information Security Strategy.

6.5. Culture

The Government views culture and national cultural heritage as a basic dimension of preservation of national identity and an important factor in the development of the Czech Republic.

The Government is conscious of its responsibility for the state of the State culture infrastructure and national cultural heritage. The Government will therefore draft and submit for approval a law on public support of culture, an amendment to the Copyright Act, and will carry on the efforts of previous Governments to provide an appropriate position to Czech cinematography with a new model of its financing. To care for and preserve the national cultural heritage the Government will use as efficiently as possible European funds.

It will continue to support a dual and independent system of radio and television broadcasting and sufficient financing of public service media. It will support the process of digitalization and its legislative support.

To reinforce the cultural infrastructure in the regions (always with national importance) the Government will contribute by opening a memorial – a sacred place recalling the sufferings of people at the time of Communist rule – Vojna near Pribram, completion of Museum of Roma Culture in Brno, opening a new Archdiocese Museum in Olomouc, completing the Lidice Monument, Memorial to Dr Edvard Beneš at Sezimovo Ústí and the Central European Conference Centre at Vrchotové Janovice.

The Government will contribute to the opening of a new Ethnographic Museum in Prague, extensive repair of the National Theatre and extensive repair of the State Opera in Prague. In connection with the reform of state administration and to increase the functionality of the system of state preservationist the Government will open regional offices of the Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments in the districts of Liberec and Zlín in 2006, and in the districts Vysočina, Hradec Králové and Karlovy Vary in the following years. The Government will participate in a foreign project for rehabilitation of a monument to Jan Amos Komenský at Naarden.

7. Rule of law

7.1. Democracy and the constitutional order

The Government is committed to strengthening the citizens’ confidence in institutions of public power and to supporting civic activities in public administration. It will therefore advocate a constitutional law on the referendum, under which citizens could directly vote about matters of vital importance.

7.2. Public administration

The Government will continue to reform and modernize public administration to make it more efficient, functional, rational, and transparent. The Government will submit draft laws to rationalize state administration.

The Government will continue to extend the usability of the single information system of public administration using public administration registers to speed up and simplify administrative processes.

The Government will advocate a reinforcement of the internal control system of public finance. The Government will also help to improve conditions for effective state oversight of local government.

The Government will optimize, on the basis of analysis of responsibilities delegated to local government, in order to reduce the administrative burden on citizens, simplify administrative procedures, and to improve overall conditions for public administration.

The Government will adapt identity cards and passports of citizens of the Czech Republic to new security demands.

The Government will pay much attention to preparation for application of a new Code of Administration.

The Government will present a law on national administrative units and once it has been passed by Parliament of the Czech Republic it will complete coordination of territorial units, which will clearer the system of public administration.

7.3. Clarifying the legislation

The Government will endeavour in its legislative activities to make clearer the legal system, to limit amendments to laws in force to an essential number and to participate actively at the level of the European Union in preparation of measures aimed to simplify law of the European Union and to a more rational manner of its preparation and adoption.

The Government will present a Code of Civil Law and Commercial Code and consolidate contract law in a new Civil Code. It will conceive the new regulation of commercial law in such a way as to reduce demands on enterprises where the requirements of Czech law go beyond requirements of law of the European Union.

7.4. Justice

In the field of justice the Government plans to eliminate gradually the causes of unacceptable delays in court proceedings. It will advocate a more efficient internal organization of courts in order to achieve smoother processing of court agenda. The Government will strive to reduce the number of potential court disputes by supporting further development of the probation and mediation service and by creating a system for out-of-court settlement of disputes of family, industrial and commercial character, with possible use of non-governmental non-profit organizations. The Government will advocate a wide expert discussion of the draft of the new Civil Code so that it can be brought before Parliament of the Czech Republic at the beginning of the next election period.

In connection with the new Penal Code the Government will prepare a proposal for recodification of the Penal Code of Procedures to speed up penal proceedings, particularly in petty cases, and to free the courts of unnecessary operations so that they can concentrate on persecution of more serious criminal offences.

Authorizations to supervise courts will be aimed at more substantial reduction in uncompleted court cases and at faster and smoother court proceedings particularly in commercial and industrial disputes. This endeavour should be facilitated by electronic records of all court cases enabling more consistent control of the work of courts. The Government will submit a draft amendment of the Act on courts and judges with the aim of stabilizing the judiciary.

In the prison service the Government will extend the differentiated execution of punishment with emphasis on prevention of crime, particularly racially motivated crime, measures aimed against drug addiction, at more individual approach to re-socialization programmes and by creating opportunities for more employment of convicts.

8. Agriculture and rural development, protection of the environment, regional development, transport

8.1. Agriculture and rural development

The Government will aim at developing rural areas, in which agriculture and countryside fulfil not only their productive functions but also their environmental and social roles. The Government will support just competition of Czech farmers in the European competitive environment through the application of the system of direct payments and programmes supported from European Union funds and through the utilization of national complementary direct payments and state assistance programmes. These should secure full cofinancing of programmes supported from European Union funds.

In accordance with the European Union Common Agricultural Policy the Government will support:

• competitiveness of farmers,

• Harmonious development of rural areas, including regional and local specifics,

• Non-productive and environmental functions of agriculture, including renewable sources of energy, such as fulfilment of European Union Directive 2003/30/EC,

• Competitiveness of the food processing industry to secure maximum variety, quality and safety of foodstuffs for consumers,

• effective agricultural export.

The Government will support exports of farming and food products. Targeted promotion campaigns will be used to increase consumption of domestic produce in accordance with principles of the European Union. It will gradually stabilize ownership relations in agriculture by land development, accelerated sales of State land, support for development of the farming land market to stabilize gradually farming producers in terms of land holding. Transfers of farming land to farmers will be made under economically favourable conditions with the possibility of long-term repayment in instalments and using farming land as collateral.

The Government considers it its programme priority to develop the countryside from the viewpoint of support for small and medium-sized enterprises and creation of new jobs, and cooperation with non-governmental organizations.

The Government will concentrate in cooperation with district councils on creation of an efficient system of project support, including support financial, for drawing aid from the Structural and Development Funds.

The Government intends to draw aid from the European Agricultural Fund for development of rural areas at least to the extent it was in Horizontal Plan for development of rural areas 20042006.

The Government will support the programme of lifelong education agricultural workers.

The Government will continue in its water management policy to improve services with the aim of preserving water in the countryside and to secure protection against floods and to limit erosion. It will support further development of the water management infrastructure, which will help to improve the quality of surface and subsoil water.

Since forests are national wealth, the Government will advocate forest management concentrating on sustainable development of its non-productive as well as productive functions and on the improvement of the condition of forests. The Government will support development of permanently sustainable and environmentally forestry management, using at the same time the economic potential of State forests.

8.2. Protection of the environment

The Government will pay the utmost attention to pursuance of State Environmental Policy approved by the year 2010. It will not permit any lowering of the standard of environmental protection as an important requisite for quality life of the population.

The Government:

• Will promote the Aarhus Convention principles for participation of the public in decisions about environmental issues and will maintain the current standard of civil rights in this field,

• Will create conditions high-standard care for preserved territories NATURA 2000 and promote more involvement of owners, municipalities and the non-profit sector and financial compensations for losses sustained,

• Will elaborate a conception of budget neutral environmental tax reform and submit appropriate bills,

• prepare a programme in support of use of energy from renewable sources in cooperation with departments concerned.

8.3. Economic and regional development

The Government will support investment and enterprise and coordinate this support with use of resources of the European Union. This support will be also expressed in a newly conceived building law, a law on expropriation, a new law on public procurement, and a law on public private partnerships.

The purpose of the new law on public procurement is to harmonize public procurement in the Czech Republic and in the EU, based on new EC regulations in this area. The new building law will make it possible to harmonize on the basis of principles of sustainable development demands on the environment with demands on social and economic development of municipalities.

This law will help to simplify and streamline all of Czech investment construction. The make investment more effective in the public interest the Government will bring before the Chamber of Deputies a draft law on expropriation.

Basic priorities in regional planning by the year 2006 include preparation of a conception for territorial development of the State.

A national strategic document will be drafted in this period  Policy of territorial development in the Czech Republic.

8.4. Regional policy

The Government aims at harmonious development of the regions of the Czech Republic. The Government will systematically observe and assess the current economic and social development of the regions and update the list of economically weak and structurally afflicted regions. To address the problems of these regions the Government will use the European Union funds and well as the National Regional Development Programme. The Government will support development and regeneration of towns and cooperation between towns and rural areas.

The aim of the Government’s regional policy is to reduce the unemployment rate, support for restructuring of industry and new investment, differentiated support for small and medium-sized enterprises, building the necessary infrastructure, in areas where funds of the European Union cannot be used.

To achieve this aim the Government will support:

• pro-growth activities in regions having multiplication effect for their development (restructuring of industrial production, support for small and medium-sized enterprise, backbone infrastructure),

• activities reducing economically and socially undesirable differences in the standard of the regions,

• activities creating jobs and reducing unemployment in economically weak and structurally afflicted regions and border areas,

• active cooperation of districts, municipalities and other partners in planning and carrying out of development projects,

• use of science and research for development of regions.

8.5. Tourism

The Government will continue to support the development of tourism, its aim being to increase competitiveness of enterprises engaged in tourism, improving tourist services and increasing the share of tourism in economic prosperity of the regions. The Government considers it very important to extend the offer and improve conditions for domestic recreation which will be attractive and available to most of the population, including households with lower incomes (pensioners, families with children).

The Government will draft a Conception state policy tourism in the Czech Republic for 20072013, divide it into sectors restructure, and draft an Operational Programme Tourism and Balneology for 20072013.

The Government will create a single system of tourism, supported by presentation of the Czech Republic abroad and new fields of study. It will continue to improve the legal conditions for control of tourist services.

9. Defence and internal security

9.1. Defence

The Government conceives defence of the Czech Republic as a complex system of interrelated material and institutional measures that strengthen external security of the Czech Republic.

Points of departure for security and defence of the Czech Republic are seen by the Government to be membership of North Atlantic Alliance, development of transatlantic relations and participation in European security and defence policy, whose pursuance the Government will based on the approved European security strategy. The Government will continue the process of military integration with NATO and attach much importance to cooperation between NATO and the European Union in the area of defence and security.

The Government will strive to strengthen the security of the Czech Republic and cooperation in global and regional organizations, in the first place in the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The Government will continue to create conditions for active involvement of armed forces of the Czech Republic in peace-keeping, humanitarian missions and anti-terrorist operations, and participation in rapid deployment units in conformity with the foreign and security policy conception.

The Government will strengthen the security of the Czech Republic by means of a professional, flexible and mobile army capable of responding to new threats, including threats of an asymmetric character (terrorism, illegal migration, organized crime).

The Government will carry through the approved conception of reform of the armed forces and create conditions to have the Army of the Czech Republic fully operational by 31.12.2006. The Government will guarantee a high standard of training of the professional Army and further training of specialized units (protection against chemical, biological and radiological weapons, health facilities and passive tracking systems). But specialization of the armed forces will not disturb their internal balance. The Army will consist of land and air force units which will have first-rate support and detachments assisting the Integrated Rescue System the Czech Republic in the event of crises.

One of the Government’s priorities will be qualified civilian management and control of the Army. Qualified civilian management means in the first place increased responsibility of civilians for defence. The Government lays down, in conformity with the priorities of the foreign and security policy of the Czech Republic, principles of the defence policy of the State as a key parameter for further management of the defence development system. The Government will support the widest possible involvement of the Czech industry in modernization and rearmament of the Army of the Czech Republic and international armaments projects, within the structures of the European Union.

The Government will emphasize cooperation with local government. Regions and communities affected by the dissolution of garrisons will be assisted by free transfers of surplus military property or by aid in the elimination of environmental damage. In this respect the Government will also utilize all the possibilities for the creation of social programmes.

9.2. Internal security

The Government sees the security of citizens, protection of their rights, lives, health and property its priority. It will therefore support common coordinated efforts of all competent authorities in the enforcement of law.

The Government perceives internal security policy as an area where activities of state administration, local government, non-governmental and private sector and all citizens must be naturally concerted. For this reason the Government sees one of its tasks is to improve communication between the state sector and the public. An integral part of this approach is support for effective preventive measures, including support for preventive programmes at the local level and active approach of citizens to their own security.

The Government will intensively combat corruption and the grey economy. It sees an effective instrument for prevention of corruption in maximum transparency in management of public funds. The Government will continue to propose and promote organizational and legislative measures enabling competent authorities to detect, prosecute and punish corruption more effectively. It will strive to put into place an effective law on conflict of interests.

The Government does not intend to resign itself to street prostitution and criminal risks that attach to prostitution and commercial sexual abuse. Apart from seeking the most appropriate legislative changes it will support organizational measures taken by the police and other authorities.

The Government will not tolerate provocative get-togethers of neo-Nazi and other extremist organization in the Czech Republic and will support vigorous action taken by all competent authorities.

The Government will make more stringent firearm control, their technical state, and verification of owners’ competence to possess them.

The Government considers it necessary to prevent security risks that attach to socially excluded groups. It will therefore carry on activities of the executive and support concrete projects in which social care authorities, the police and NGOs collaborate.

The Government will continue to support the process of forming the police as a modern European security force where police work is understood as a service to citizens. It will therefore reinforce the first line of police work in local stations where citizens come most frequently into contact with the police. The Government also plans to create suitable conditions to stabilize the police of the Czech Republic in the personnel and material area.

In the combat against terrorism the Government will continue to take system steps to protect the territory of the Czech Republic.

The Government will continue to guarantee permanent material and organizational readiness for action of the Fire brigade of the Czech Republic and the other constituents of the Integrated Rescue System relieving results of natural disasters and other extraordinary events with emphasis on reinforcing all forms of protection of the population and property and preventive measures against the danger of terrorism.

The Government is committed to further reinforcement of readiness of the Czech Republic to respond to security risks and developing the constituent parts of the Integrated Rescue System.

The Government will adopt effective preventive and repressive measures to strengthen the security of road traffic.

Concerning asylum policy and migration, the Government pursue an active policy in integration of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, adopt measures to eliminate illegal migration, illegal employment of foreign nationals and all related phenomena, strive for a just and effective asylum procedure, and take measures to limit abuses of the asylum system in accordance with international obligations, the legislation and the policy of the European Union.

The Government sees it as its priority to prepare the Czech Republic to undergo successfully the Schengen assessment process, which is prerequisite for abolishing controls at borders with neighbouring States in 2007.

10. Foreign policy

The Government’s foreign policy starts from interests of the Czech citizens. Its aim is to create jointly the best possible conditions for democratic development in peace, economic prosperity and permanently increasing living standard of the population.

The Czech Republic has as a full Member of the European Union the possibility of framing jointly its foreign policy. The enlarged European Union will be an influential partner to the United States of America and this cooperation will help to address more effectively global problems, to reduce tensions, and to respect more international law. This partnership will support efforts to create an international community based on respect for UN Charter which identifies and addresses threats and risks and different forms of political and economic cooperation. Accession to the European Union opened for the Czech Republic the biggest global market whose benefits it can fully enjoy. It is very important for the Czech Republic, her security and peace development that all her neighbours are Members of the European Union and, with the exception of Austria, of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The Government will:

• Pursue an active and balanced foreign and security policy based on the principles of democracy, international law, multilateralism and obligations to allies,

• Support the European integration process in order to create a united, democratic, socially cohesive, prosperous and peaceful Europe without tensions, Europe of free citizens and cooperating regions; strong and influential European Union is an important factor in the solution of global problems and hence problems confronting the Czech Republic,

• Reinforce allied relations in North Atlantic Treaty Organization so that it continues to guarantee security in Europe, the Euro-Atlantic space, and guarantee stability and security on the global scale and capable of coping with new threats,

• Support efforts of the United Nations and the international community to prevent armed conflicts and wars, resolve conflicts amicably and cope with new security risks with effective measures.

The Government will concentrate in its term of office until June 2006 on these main tasks in foreign policy:

Active participation of the Czech Republic in the European Union

Aims and tasks of the policy of the Czech Republic are detailed in Chapter 3 of this Declaration.

Active participation in North Atlantic Treaty Organization

The Government attaches great importance to building up of the Euro-Atlantic security system to avert crises and armed conflicts and to cope with them if they arise.

The Government will support further development of transatlantic relations. It will take part in further transformation steps in NATO helping to adapt the North Atlantic Alliance to current conditions. The Government will continue to take part in stabilization missions.

Further tasks of foreign policy

The Government will support steps leading to strengthening of partner relations between the European Union and the United States of America and Canada and the joint approach to the elimination of current imminent dangers and threats such as international terrorism, proliferation of arms of mass destruction, and international crime.

The Government will pay great attention to the development of close relations with the neighbouring states, Visegrad cooperation and the Central European space.

With regard to the end and consequences of the Second World War, the Government will follow the Czech-German Declaration of 1997 and Resolution of the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament of the Czech Republic of 24 April 2002.

The Czech Republic will take part as a Member State of the European Union in the stabilization and association process in the Balkans.

With regard to the Near and Middle East, the Government will support efforts for the peaceful solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, reduction of tension and achievement of security, stability and economic prosperity of the region. The Government fully supports the ‘Road Map’ agreed upon by the US, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council aiming at a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by having safe Israeli borders and creating independent and democratic Palestine.

The Government will endeavour for the Czech Republic to participate in bringing about of peace, democracy and prosperity in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Government is aware of the need for a concordat between the Czech Republic and the Holy See.

The Government will pay permanent attention to the multilateral relations and to the participation of the Czech Republic in international organizations. International organizations play an important role in the creation of a functioning international order in the current changing world on the basis of international law. The Czech Republic takes active part in the activities of international organizations, the most important of which are the United Nations, in their endeavours to reduce international tension, eliminate roots of armed conflicts as well as sources of international terrorism, and prevent unilateral actions leading to destabilization of the international order. The Czech Republic will support measures adopted by the United Nations leading to fulfilment of the Millennium 2000 Development Goals, including reduction of the world poverty. The Government will support reinforcement of the role of the United Nations as well as desirable reforms of the United Nations Security Council. The Czech Republic will continue to participate in the activities of the Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other regional groupings.

The Government will pay permanent attention to the economic dimension of foreign policy, which has been offered a new scope as a result of our membership in the European Union. The Government will utilize the knowledge and experience of the European Union Member States in this field. Care for the development of external economic relations is among the priority tasks of Czech embassies.

An intrinsic part of the Czech foreign policy is the international development cooperation, humanitarian aid and support of transformation democratic processes.

One of the permanent tasks of our foreign policy is the presentation of the Czech Republic and its culture abroad; The Czech Republic considers maintenance and development of relations with compatriots to be of great importance.

11. Conclusion

The Czech Government believes that consistent application of the individual goals of the government declaration will contribute to the solution of urgent problems of the Czech Republic, improve the lives of its citizens and generally improve the position of the Czech Republic in the world.

The Government believes that discussion of the Programme being submitted is a necessary precondition for democratic dialogue, which is in the interest of development of the whole society, is ready to communicate extensively with Parliament, the President of the Republic, and the general public.

Prague, May 2005