Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was in Prague on Tuesday for meetings with Czech leaders to discuss countering the Iranian nuclear threat among other topics.
The central European country currently heads the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors, with Ambassador Ivo Sramek occupying the position for 2022-23.
הגעתי לצ׳כיה, אחת מידידותינו הטובות באירופה שעומדת בראש חבר הנגידים של סבא"א. אפגש עם הנשיא ושר החוץ כדי לחזק את הקשרים בין המדינות וכדי לדון במאבק נגד איראן. מדינות אירופה מבינות כיום יותר מתמיד את האיום, ואנו נבחן דרכים לעצור את הגרעין האיראני ולהדוף את זרועות הטרור של איראן. pic.twitter.com/QIFHw9Fy3A
— אלי כהן | Eli Cohen (@elicoh1) April 3, 2023
“I will meet with the president and the foreign minister to strengthen the ties between the countries and to discuss the fight against Iran and repel the terrorist arms of Iran,” Cohen said upon his arrival on Monday to the capital of the Czech Republic, a longtime ally of Israel.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement ahead of the trip that discussions would include increasing bilateral collaboration in the areas of security, trade and climate.
Pavel, a former army general, was sworn in last month. He succeeded Milos Zeman as president of the Czech Republic. Upon his swearing-in, the American Jewish Committee’s Central Europe office congratulated him, saying that he is “dedicated towards a strong transatlantic alliance and European values.”
Congratulations Petr Pavel on your swearing in as new 🇨🇿Czech President!@general_pavel is dedicated towards a strong transatlantic alliance and European values.
We look forward to continuing work with you and the Czech Republic, a close friend of Israel and the Jewish people. pic.twitter.com/DLKRwtK1qB
— AJC Central Europe (@AJC_CE) March 9, 2023
He visited Israel in 2017 as chairman of NATO’s military committee.
Cohen’s visit to discuss Iran comes amid reported talks in recent weeks between the United States, its European allies and Israel about an interim nuclear deal with Tehran proposed by the Biden administration. Axios reported that the interim agreement would include sanctions relief for Iran halting parts of its nuclear program.
Last month, IAEA inspectors discovered uranium particles enriched to 83.7% purity at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which qualifies as weapons-grade.