he Czech Republic and Monaco established diplomatic relations on Tuesday, the Czech news agency CTK reported.
Pavel Fischer, the Czech ambassador to Paris, handed over his credentials to Monacan Prince Albert II. The Czech Republic thus applied the international practice of countries entrusting the diplomatic mission to Monaco to their ambassadors to France, CTK said.
The Monacan ambassador is yet to hand his credentials to Czech President Vaclav Klaus, according to the Czech Foreign Ministry.
Owing to the new chance of direct communication with Monacan officials, new opportunities have opened ahead of the Czech Republic mainly in trade and cultural relations, Fischer said.
Monaco has enormous capital at its disposal and has a big investment potential that could be used in the Czech Republic, he added.
In terms of culture, Monaco is mainly interested in Czech music. The works by great Czech composers have been no novelty in the Monacan opera house for long, Fischer continued.
The Czech Republic's representative directly in Monaco is honorary general consul Francois Jan Brych, who has been providing assistance mainly to Czech tourists in need.
In the past, foreign countries maintained diplomatic relations with Monaco through France that was Monaco's protector. Monaco became a sovereign principality, independent from France, only in 2002. About 45 countries, including a half of European countries, have maintained diplomatic relations with Monaco since.