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22<br />
FUTILE SEARCH FOR A STRATEGIC DIMENSION:<br />
CZECH FOREIGN POLICY IN 2015<br />
it is completely incomprehensible that nding allocated to this area for 2016 was<br />
not adequately increased.<br />
However, it is also important to mention some positive trends. The<br />
commencement of a strategic dialogue with Germany or the rther advance in<br />
relations with South Korea must undoubtedly be considered a success for Czech<br />
diplomacy. Lastly, it should be noted that the disputes over economic diplomacy<br />
between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade<br />
have dissipated.<br />
In individual thematic chapters then, we rate Czech foreign policy much more<br />
positively than the overall institutional and political framework. This is part of the<br />
reason Czech diplomacy received an overall grade of C+, which is a slight improvement<br />
over the three previous years when it received a straight C.<br />
Outlook<br />
We do not expect the international situation to be any calmer in 2016. The regee<br />
crisis will continue. The Czech Republic must understand that the mere protection<br />
of external Schengen borders will not solve the problem. Naturally, securi aspects<br />
cannot be ignored, but people fleeing from war cannot be turned away. The Czech<br />
Republic may suffer from the deepening rift between Western and Central-Eastern<br />
Europe created by the unsuccessl search for a common solution to the regee crisis.<br />
In this respect, Czech diplomacy should primarily focus on relations with Poland and<br />
Germany, and keep these from stagnating. Moreover, our northern neighbor will want<br />
to listen to us – as its new foreign policy is focused on Central Europe, and Poland will<br />
be taking over the Visegrad Presidency mid-year. We should also not forget a≫ressive<br />
Russian policy. The Kremlin will continue to try to systematically change the situation<br />
in Europe in their favor and the Czech Republic must help repel these attempts. At<br />
the NATO summit in Warsaw, we should contribute to a credible deterrence. Equally<br />
important is our support of Ukraine’s European aspirations.<br />
Political engagement C–<br />
Institutional cohesion<br />
D<br />
Strategic vision<br />
D<br />
Proactive approach<br />
D<br />
International relevance D+
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