The Moravian-Silesian Region as a Pioneer in the Field of Dual

INVESTORS IN MSK o moderní průmyslové země, jejichž prosperita z velké části závisí právě na těchto aspektech. Není náhoda, že se naše firmy často tak aktivně věnují otázkám udržitelnosti a šetrnosti k životnímu prostředí. Česká republika i Německo navíc v brzké době získají první dotace v rámci Green Dealu EU. I proto bude důležité zintenzivnit spolupráci obou nových vlád ohledně naplňování tzv. Zelené dohody, např. i v rámci Česko-německého strategického dialogu. Pan prezident Steinmeier řekl, že vztahy mezi Českem a Německem nemohou být lepší. V čem podle Vás tyto vlídné vztahy spočívají? Jsme blízkými partnery v rámci EU, NATO i OSN. Obě naše země jsou demokracie sdílející stejné základní hodnoty. Naše firmy, vysoké školy, výzkumné instituce i naši vědci úzce spolupracují. Vzhledem ke klimatickým změnám a boji s pandemií covidu-19 čelíme stejným výzvám. Tisíc let jsme sousedé. Jsme schopni spolu o minulosti otevřeně mluvit. To vytváří důvěru a základ pro vzájemné porozumění. A velmi důležité je, že přátelství, které naše země spojuje, nevychází jen ze vztahů politiků, ale z každodenních vztahů občanů našich zemí. V čem by se podle Vás mohli Češi u Němců inspirovat, stejně i naopak? Důležitá je teď úzká spolupráce zejména v boji s covidem-19 a klimatickými změnami. V mnoha ohledech se toho od sebe můžeme vzájemně dost přiučit. Například v oblasti digitalizace je Česko oproti Německu dost napřed, což se ukázalo i v boji s pandemií. Naproti tomu například debata o klimatické politice je zase v Německu výrazně intenzivnější než v Česku. Pane velvyslanče, děkujeme Vám za rozhovor. The Moravian-Silesian Region as a Pioneer in the Field of Dual Vocational Education Andreas Künne has been Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Prague since August 17, 2021. From 2018 to 2021, he was a commissioner for the United Nations and the fight against terrorism at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 1993, he has worked at German embassies in Copenhagen, Seoul, Brussels, Vilnius and Pretoria. He focuses on security policy and multilateral issues. Mr Ambassador, in what area would you see the possibility of cooperation with the Moravian-Silesian Region? Do you plan to connect companies to specific or mutual investments in the near future? The Moravian-Silesian Region is experiencing structural changes which the west German coal regions have already passed and which some federal states in eastern Germany are currently going through. In the west, the cessation of coal mining was generally good. When we rely on research and modern technology instead of coal, jobs are created that have a future. And it is on these issues that the dialogue with the Moravian-Silesian Region should be strengthened. Therefore, in May, a joint platform of the Fraunhofer Society and the University of Mining-Technical University of Ostrava was established. The Moravian-Silesian Region is also a pioneer in the field of dual vocational education, which is also an area where it would be good to support cooperation with Germany. Dual education is the basis for the successful operation not only of large industries but also small and medium-sized enterprises. The theme of the Green Deal is very resonant in Germany. What can the Green Deal bring to the Czech Republic and will you promote its ideas here? EU Member States will invest in green technologies in the coming decades, not only to reduce their CO2 emissions but also to ensure global competitiveness and job security for their employees. This is an absolutely fundamental challenge for both Germany and the Czech Republic as these are modern industrialized countries whose prosperity largely depends on these aspects. It is no coincidence that our companies are often so actively involved in sustainability and environmental issues. In addition, the Czech Republic and Germany will soon receive the first subsidies within the EU Green Deal. This is one of the reasons why it will be important to intensify cooperation between the two new governments regarding the implementation of the so-called Green Agreement, for example in the framework of the Czech-German strategic dialogue. President Steinmeier said that relations between the Czech Republic and Germany could not be better. What do you think these kind relationships are? We are close partners within the EU, NATO and OSN. Both our countries are democracies that share the same basic values. Our companies, universities, research institutions and our scientists work closely together. Given the climate change and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we face the same challenges. We have been neighbors for a thousand years. We are able to talk openly about the past. This creates trust and a basis for mutual understanding. And it is very important that the friendship that our countries have in common is not only based on the relations of politicians but on the everyday relations of the citizens of our countries. How do you think the Czechs could be inspired by the Germans and vice versa? Close cooperation is important now, especially in the fight against COVID-19 and climate change. In many ways, we can learn a lot from each other. For example, in the field of digitization, Czechia is far ahead of Germany, which was also shown in the fight against the pandemic. On the other hand, the debate on climate policy, for example, is much more intense in Germany than in the Czech Republic. Ambassador, thank you for the interview. POSITIV 4/2021 ǀ 47