By Muhammad Sohail
Minister Lipavský expressed his gratitude to the laureates for the excellent work they do for the benefit of the Czech Republic, in the interest of deepening friendly relations between our country and other countries, and in the interest of strengthening the prestige of the Czech Republic abroad. In addition to the laureates, their relatives and guests, the ceremony was also attended by diplomatic representatives of the selected countries.
Laureates of the 2025 Medal of Merit for Diplomacy :
Petr Brod, Czech Republic – for lifelong contribution to democracy and human rights;
Tomislav Delinić, Czech Republic/Germany – for his significant contribution to the deepening of Czech-German relations;
Dialogue in the Middle of Europe – Bernard Bolzano Society, zs – for an extraordinary contribution to deepening peace dialogue in Europe and the world. The medal was received by the vice-chairman, Mr. Mojmír Jeřábek, and the executive director, Mr. Mikuláš Zvánovec;
Vít Dostál, Czech Republic – for long-term contribution to Czech foreign policy and international relations;
Martin Hála, Czech Republic – for long-term contribution to Czech foreign policy and international relations;
Ivana Hlavsová, Czech Republic – for her extraordinary contribution to building post-November diplomacy and foreign policy and for developing relations, especially with the countries of Southern and Southeastern Europe;
Ivana Hrdličková, Czech Republic – for outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights in the world;
Michal Koudelka, Czech Republic – for his significant contribution to strengthening Czech and European security;
David Michel, Germany – for his fundamental contribution to the development of above-standard Czech-Saxon and Czech-German relations;
Tetiana Okopna, Czech Republic/Ukraine – for extraordinary contribution to the development of Czech-Ukrainian relations;
Post Bellum, z.ú. – Project Memory of the Nation, Czech Republic – for an extraordinary contribution to the preservation of the nation’s memory and democratic traditions. The medal was received by director Mikuláš Kroupa;
Ludmila Rakušanová, Czech Republic – for extraordinary and lifelong contribution to strengthening democracy and freedom of speech;
Jaroslav Rudiš, Czech Republic/Germany – for significant contribution to the development of Czech-German cultural relations;
László Szigeti, Slovakia – for his lifelong contributions to the development of Czech-Slovak relations;
Radek Špicar, Czech Republic – for significant contribution to strengthening the international position of the Czech Republic, especially in the field of trade;
Milena Vicenová, Czech Republic – for significant contribution to Czech diplomacy.
Minister Lipavský also awarded the Medal of Merit for Diplomacy to Ms. Hana Ripková – for her long-standing contribution to improving Czech-American relations and supporting democracy, and to Ms. Jana Robinson – for her outstanding contribution to European and global security. Both ladies will receive their awards on another occasion. Former Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was also awarded – for his extraordinary contribution to the development of Czech-Austrian relations. Mr. Schallenberg apologized for work reasons and will receive the medal on another occasion.
