Czech ambassador highlights role of smaller countries in EU

The Czech ambassador to Ireland, Josef Havlas, says that he expects that his country and Ireland will provide a voice of reason within Europe in the future.

The Czech Republic will formally join the EU in May.

Ambassador Havlas says it will be important for the small countries to play their full role in the decision-making process of the enlarged EU.

Mr Havlas is also predicting that his country's accession to the EU will lead to an increase in tourism and trade between the Czech Republic and Ireland.

Irish exports to the Czech Republic are currently worth more than €250m per year and there are nearly 20 flights per week between the two countries.

Ambassador Havlas says that Irish and Czech people share many common historical experiences and this should help the tourism links.