State visit of the Czech Republic to Luxembourg - Day One

This morning, the Grand Ducal Couple welcomed the Presidential Couple in front of the Palace for the traditional official ceremony, followed by a bilateral meeting and the laying of a wreath at the Luxembourg National Monument of Solidarity. Afterwards, at the Palace, President Pavel received Mr. Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber, followed by Mr. Luc Frieden, Prime Minister, and Mr. Bettel, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In the early afternoon, H.E. Mr. Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, Mrs. Eva Pavlová and TTHHRR the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were received at the Town Hall of the capital by the Mayor Mrs Lydie Polfer and the municipal councillors during a welcome reception.

The “Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg” provided the musical program for the occasion.

Au Square Jan Palach, près de la Place d’Armes, le Couple présidentiel et le Grand-Duc ont déposé une gerbe de fleurs en hommage à l’étudiant tchécoslovaque qui s’est immolé par le feu, en 1969. Jan Palach est un des symboles de la résistance à l’invasion de la Tchécoslovaquie par les troupes du Pacte de Varsovie.

A tribute to John the Blind was then paid by the Presidential Couple and the Grand Duke in the crypt of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral. In the early 14th century, John of Luxembourg was Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic.

The last visit of the day took place at the headquarters of the satellite operator SES at Château de Betzdorf. The management of the world leader in telecommunication satellites presented the company's activities and those of 'GovSat', a company jointly owned by SES and the Luxembourg government. Its mission is to provide government and institutional users and institutional users with radio-relay systems that meet NATO's security requirements.