By Muhammad Sohail
The leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will change as of September 1, 2025. Martin Smolek will be replaced by the current director of the legal and legislative department, Jiří Šlais.
“This section has a wide scope – from assistance to Czech citizens abroad through issues of international and European law to visa and expatriate affairs. I believe that the new chief director will succeed in building on Martin Smolek’s top-notch results to date,” said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.
Jiří Šlais is an experienced diplomat and lawyer who previously served as the Director of the Legal and Legislative Department. He participated in legislative proposals under the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Foreign Service Act, in negotiating contracts and preparing public procurement contracts, especially in the area of consular services. He also worked at the headquarters as the Deputy Director of Diplomatic Protocol. During his postings abroad, he gained experience both in the performance of consular services, when he headed the consular sections of the Consulates General in Montreal and Toronto, and in the area of multilateral diplomacy as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe at the Permanent Mission in Strasbourg.
“The change in the leadership of the Legal and Consular Section occurs after ten long years, which is unique given the rotation of employees in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During that time, we have managed to create an experienced and reliable team for providing legal, consular and expatriate services, which I will be very honored to lead,” added the new Chief Director Jiří Šlais.
