Truss Prague trip ‘a sign of co-operation’
LIZ Truss had a series of a crunch meetings with European leaders in Prague yesterday, as she aimed to make headway on energy and migration during the one-day summit.
The Prime Minister landed in the Czech capital for a day of diplomatic catch-ups and key bilateral meetings with French president Emmanuel Macron and other leaders.
Her first meeting was with Czech prime minister Petr Fiala, during which No 10 said they noted opportunities for future collaboration on securing longterm energy supplies.
They were also in “strong agreement” on the need for likeminded European democracies to present a “united front” against Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “brutality” towards Ukraine, Downing
Street said.
Ms Truss’s presence in Prague has attracted the interest of the European media, given the UK’S frosty relations with the EU in recent years and the ongoing row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“Are you happy to be in Europe, Prime Minister?” one reporter shouted at her as she walked into the gothic building.
She did not speak to the media when she arrived at the grand surroundings of Prague Castle, where she was greeted by Mr Fiala.
She later met Mr Macron, as well as Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, and told the gathering’s opening plenary session in Prague: “Europe is facing its biggest crisis since the Second World War. And we have faced it together with unity and resolve.
“We must continue to stand firm - to ensure that Ukraine wins this war, but also to deal with the strategic challenges that it has exposed.”
Ms Truss is seeking to stress the UK’S role in European matters - including Ukraine - despite leaving the EU, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister added: “The threat was left to fester for far too long. Now, at last, we are tackling (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression head on.”
The German ambassador to the UK said Liz Truss’ attendance at the summit in Prague sends a “signal that we want to cooperate”, and welcomed a “clear willingness to re-engage” on the Northern Ireland Protocol.