- Title: Czech president Zeman congratulates Trump, agrees on migration
- Date: 9th November 2016
- Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) (REUTERS) PRAGUE CASTLE ABOVE VLTAVA RIVER CHARLES BRIDGE TOURISTS AROUND PRAGUE CASTLE JOURNALISTS CZECH PRESIDENT, MILOS ZEMAN, ARRIVING CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CZECH PRESIDENT, MILOS ZEMAN, SAYING: "I would like to cordially congratulate Donald Trump. I had, as one of few European politicians, declared public support for this candidate because I agree with his opinions on migration as well as the fight against Islamic terrorism." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Czech) CZECH PRESIDENT, MILOS ZEMAN, SAYING: "I appreciate Donald Trump's public demeanour, he speaks clearly, sometimes roughly but understandably and avoids what is sometimes called political correctness." JOURNALISTS ZEMAN LEAVING PRESS BRIEFING
- Embargoed: 24th November 2016 13:51
- Keywords: US election Trump Zeman
- Location: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- City: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
- Country: Czech Republic
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00157Q564N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Czech President Milos Zeman said on Wednesday (November 9) he was "delighted" by Donald Trump's election victory, saying he cut through political correctness and addressed key issues like migration.
Zeman, who is head of the NATO and European Union member state but does not steer day-to-day policies, endorsed Trump in September.
"I would like to cordially congratulate Donald Trump. I had, as one of few European politicians, declared public support for this candidate because I agree with his opinions on migration as well as the fight against Islamic terrorism," Zeman told reporters in a rare press briefing at the Prague Castle.
Unlike the country's current centre-left administration, Zeman shares Trump's warm relations toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin and opposition to liberal and academic elites.
"I appreciate Donald Trump's public demeanour, he speaks clearly, sometimes roughly but understandably and avoids what is sometimes called political correctness," Zeman said.
He said the election showed American voters' resistance to manipulation by the media, another frequent target of both Trump and Zeman.
The Czech president said he had sent congratulations to Trump and invited him to visit the Czech Republic, the birthplace of Trump's ex-wife Ivana.
Earlier on Wednesday, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Trump won on "aggressive populism" but added he believed the United States would remain a reliable partner and ally. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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