By Muhammad Sohail
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský paid a working trip to the United States of America from October 22 to 25, 2025. In Washington, DC, he took over the new building of the Embassy of the Czech Republic on the prestigious Massachusetts Avenue and discussed with partners the strengthening of bilateral relations, security cooperation, and the visibility of the Czech Republic in the USA.
“After 56 years, we are moving back to the center of events – closer to the White House, Congress, and American partners. It is a practical step that will make everyday diplomacy in Washington easier for the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic will benefit from this for a long time to come,” said Minister Jan Lipavský.
The new headquarters of the Czech Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue will strengthen the capacity of Czech diplomacy for operational negotiations with American institutions and businesses and contribute to a more effective presentation of the Czech Republic in the United States. Employees are expected to move into the new building during the summer of 2026.
During the visit, the minister discussed, among other things, with American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFoCR) about specific projects to enhance the visibility of the Czech Republic in the USA; with representatives of the Democratic and Republican camps at an event organized by GLOBSEC, he discussed the transatlantic agenda and common security priorities; with the think tank Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) about the development of European-American relations; and with the commander of the Nebraska National Guard about long-term defense cooperation within the framework of the partnership program with the Czech Republic and the possibilities of its further development.
“If we want to be taken seriously in America, we must continue to invest in defense and fulfill our alliance commitments. That is a priority, it will not work without it,” said Minister Lipavský.
The program also included the presentation of the Cross of State Defense to Vladimír Taussig in memoriam as an expression of respect for his extraordinary merits and bravery. In New York, the Minister visited Czech compatriots in Astoria, where the Czech and Slovak Language Center is located. He met with members of the BBLA compatriots’ association and toured another investment project of Czech diplomacy, namely the building on Madison Avenue.
