Czech-Russian forum established in Moscow

A memorandum on the creation of the Czech-Russian forum, a new platform for a dialogue on bilateral relations, including their sensitive aspects, was signed in Moscow on Wednesday during the official visit by Czech President Milos Zeman. The forum will start working next year. Experts, public personalities and some institutions from the Czech Republic and Russia will participate in its work, the Czech Presidential Office has said. Former Czech diplomats, people from the non-government sector and experts in eastern Europe protested against the establishment of the forum, calling on Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek in an open letter to suspend the prepared platform for a dialogue.