# Czech diplomatic appointments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/czech-diplomatic-appointments
> Updated: 2026-07-31T14:23:52.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026 the Czech presidency announced a senior personnel change for August 2024: Daniel Štech will become director of the Foreign Department of the President’s Office, succeeding Jaroslav Zajíček, who is slated to serve as ambassador to Portugal. The following day the foreign ministry disclosed another appointment, naming former ambassador to Egypt Ivan Jukl as the new director of the Czech Centres, replacing Jitka Pánek Jurková. Both announcements emphasize continuity in the Czech Republic’s foreign‑policy and cultural‑diplomacy work, with the latter also highlighting a push to streamline the centres’ finances and expand cooperation with civic groups.

Together, the appointments reflect a broader effort by the Czech government to refresh its diplomatic and cultural leadership while addressing budgetary pressures and maintaining an active international presence.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Ivan Jukl appointed director of Czech Centres

Ivan Jukl will become director of Czech Centres on Aug 1, replacing Jitka Pánek Jurková, with plans to cut costs, keep all branches and boost cultural diplomacy, announced by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivan-jukl-appointed-director-of-czech-centres

### 2026-07-30: Czech President appoints Daniel Štech as foreign office director, Zajíček to Portugal

Daniel Štech becomes director of the Czech president’s foreign office on 3 August, replacing Jaroslav Zajíček who will be appointed ambassador to Portugal after receiving agrément; both moves were announced by

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-president-appoints-daniel-tech-as-foreign-office-director-zajek-to-portugal

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Cite as: Czech diplomatic appointments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/czech-diplomatic-appointments