"The long-term foreign policy priority of the Czech Republic and its national interest is to be a member of the European Union and NATO, as membership of these organizations is a guarantee of stability and security. The government, in this context, is not considering taking any steps that may put into question our membership and the long-term direction of Czech foreign policy, does not, therefore, presupposes any referendums," Ayrer said in a press release posted on the government's official website.
Earlier in the day, Czech President Milos Zeman said that he would support a possible EU membership referendum in the country but would vote against withdrawal, since the republic's membership of the European Union is very beneficial to the Czech Republic, at least in financial terms, specifically it receives $8.3 billion annually which is more than it contributes.
