Sharq Al-Awast Afew weeks ago the world mourned the passing of a great leader, the former Czech president and velvet revolution icon Vaclav Havel. Havel who died at age 75, lived a very eventful life. He was a respected dissident playwright whose work focused mainly on the misery and inhumanity of the Soviet-backed totalitarian regime which ruled the former state of Czechoslovakia, with a heavy hand. Havel will always be remembered for his most famous saying, “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred”. He was the transforming leader who led Czechoslovakia in a time of turbulence and uncertainly to peace and prosperity, taking the Czech republic to the European market membership and developing its economy into a very competitive and prosperous model. All of this made the Czech republic a shining example of a success story, going from a strict socialist model operating under the communist umbrella to a global player among other nations. He ruled the newly free Czechoslovakia after the fall of the Berlin wall and dismantling of the former Soviet Union and its block from 1989 to 1992, and of its successor the Czech republic form the year 1993 to 2003. Today the Czech republic is led by another great leader and a politician, Vaclav Klaus who come into power following the late Havel's stepping down from office. Klaus has shown exceptional character in navigating the economy of the Czech republic through some turbulent global economic crises while maintaining the stability of the country's currency and economic growth. He also was able to create a solid unity government that eased the concerns of the opposition. Today he is visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a guest to its annual Global Competitive Conference in Riyadh. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Czech republic has grown steadily. Czech goods and services are establishing a good presence and a solid reputation for the prices and services in various sectors from automotives, crystal goods, energy and health services to name a few. Czechoslovakia is also a favorite vacation and tour destination for Saudis with the number of Saudis have been increasing fourfolds in one year alone, for enjoying Prague and Kavlovy Vary. It is also interesting to note that there are 60 Saudi students currently in the Czech republic on scholarship, studying in its universities, and the leading Saudi team in its premier football league is coached by a Czech national! The Saudi-Czech relations are heading into a very positive direction and they can be a model for other nations to follow. __
