For the third year now, Rudolf Jindrák has been representing the Czech Republic as Ambassador to Slovakia. He has thus experienced periods when Czech–Slovak relations went through varying degrees of turbulence. He himself works to strengthen those ties as much as possible – including through a project to establish a permanent Czech theatre stage in Bratislava. He also closely follows developments regarding reciprocal study at Czech and Slovak schools.
During his January visit to Bratislava, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced, after talks with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico, that Czech–Slovak intergovernmental consultations would be resumed. What could this bring to Czechia from your perspective?
The new situation created after the elections in the Czech Republic should be used to address practical issues between the two countries that were not resolved during the past two years of cohabitation between Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Relations did not stop, but I missed a stronger drive. This could serve as a means of intensifying contacts at the level of individual ministers, so that areas of shared interest can be identified. It is not only about bilateral matters; we also need to discuss the European agenda and find common ground. Where we agree, we can initiate joint steps at the level of the European Union. Joint government meetings should contribute to this. There should be no obstacles, and it should not happen that ministry apparatuses fail to communicate with each other. From my perspective, this means strengthening the bilateral dimension and addressing concrete issues.
Andrej Babiš said he would send Czech ministers to Bratislava to learn from their Slovak counterparts. At first glance, however, Slovakia today does not appear more successful than Czechia. Is there anything in current Slovak politics or the economy that could serve as an example?
I think that quotation has been somewhat simplified. It arose from the debate between Prime Ministers Fico and Babiš, which I attended. We discussed issues such as rental housing, banning mobile phones in schools, adjustments in transport infrastructure, permitting procedures, and matters from the European agenda, including the ETS2 emissions trading system.
So is there anything we could genuinely learn from Slovakia?
Objectively speaking, in some areas – such as rental housing, network regulation, and the use of mobile phones in schools – Slovakia’s legislation is further advanced. I would not venture to evaluate implementation, because there are many open questions when it comes to putting those laws into practice. It is therefore about exchanging views and possibly avoiding mistakes so that we do not repeat those already made here. And of course, this works both ways.
With former Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová.
A strong moment at the joint press conference was Robert Fico’s opening thanks for Czechia’s care for Slovak students and the hundreds of thousands of Slovaks working in Czechia. Some Slovak economists, however, argue that by hosting these people, Czechia is draining Slovakia. How do you see it? Do both sides benefit, or is it clearly more advantageous for Czechia?
Prime Minister Fico’s thanks surprised me somewhat. The brain drain is a major issue in Slovakia. I have children who study, and from their experience I can say that not all Slovaks who graduate from Czech universities stay in Czechia. Many return to Slovakia. Today, a number of prominent political and public figures in Slovakia hold degrees from Czech universities. At the same time, this is of course a benefit for Czechia, because we gain qualified labor and an intellectual layer of Slovaks who have a relationship with Czechia – even if they eventually return home. That in itself is a major contribution to Czech–Slovak relations. And naturally, it is also an advantage for Czechia.
The agreements also allow Czech students to study free of charge at Slovak universities, yet this happens far less frequently. Is there a chance that might change?
It is in Slovakia’s interest to create conditions that prevent Slovaks from having to leave the country – and, if they do leave, to encourage their return. They need to find opportunities at home. I know of many fields, particularly in research, where Slovaks simply have to remain in Czechia. But to sum up – I believe it brings benefits to both sides.
And the fact that Prime Minister Fico sees it so clearly – was that a pleasant surprise for you?
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised that Prime Minister Robert Fico sees it positively, in the sense that Czechia helps Slovakia cultivate what we might call an intellectual elite. Of course, the question remains to what extent this strengthens or weakens the Slovak economy. Personally, I would be pleased to see more Czech students find opportunities in Slovakia – if only to foster a relationship with Slovakia, which we Czechs are gradually losing in the Czech–Slovak dynamic.
You are personally involved in efforts to establish a permanent Czech theatre stage in Bratislava. How far has the project progressed, and can it expect support from both the Czech and Slovak states?
The project concerns the old Astorka building in Bratislava, which is nearing completion. I consider it an excellent idea, if only for the presentation of Czech theatre companies. It relates to something I often say: for Czechs and Slovaks, Czechia and Slovakia are the only countries where actors can perform in their native language without limitations or technical support. I remember the emigration of actors and other artists to Austria, Germany, and elsewhere in the West. They all told me that the hardest part was losing their mother tongue. So the fact that Czech actors could perform in Czech here would be a tremendous advantage. Another positive aspect of the project is that it would not feature only Prague-based ensembles, but also companies from regional theatres. And another plus is that Slovak audiences are far more familiar with Czech actors than the reverse. Here in Slovakia, it is normal to watch Czech television, where those actors perform. In Czechia, we have difficulties receiving Slovak channels.
On the other hand, dozens – perhaps hundreds – of Slovak actors and theatre professionals work in Czechia, and several hundred thousand Slovaks live in Prague alone. There is still demand in Czechia for Slovak theatre. Would it not make sense to create a Slovak theatre stage in Prague as well?
I agree with you. It would be wonderful to create a mirror project in Prague. It would not necessarily have to be limited to the capital – I can also imagine it in Brno, where there is a large Slovak community and, I believe, an eager audience. But we are still in the first phase. And that first phase is to finalize the project of the Czech stage in Bratislava. It should not be limited to theatre productions; concerts could also be held there.
The author is a European editor of Deník
CV BOX
Rudolf Jindrák (born January 25, 1964, in Prague) is the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Slovakia.
He graduated from the Charles University Faculty of Law and has been working in diplomatic services since the beginning of his career. This started in 1986 at the Consular Department of the Czechoslovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where, four years later, he became the Head of the Department for Central and Western European Countries.
Starting in 1991, he spent four years at the General Consulate in Munich, then spent two years as the Director of the First Territorial Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a year as the Director General of the Legal and Consular Section. Between the years 1998 and 2001, he served as Ambassador to Hungary, and after a three-year stint as the deputy minister of foreign affairs, he was appointed Ambassador to Austria and then Germany.
Starting in 2014, he was first an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then the Office of the Government. Between the years 2017 and 2021, he was the Director of the Foreign Department of the Office of the President.
In 2023, he was appointed Ambassador to Slovakia.
Jindrák is married, he has two daughters with his wife Lenka.
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