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 Czech Republic |  Liechtenstein |
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Czech–Liechtensteiner relations are thebilateral relations between theCzech Republic andLiechtenstein, originating from the independence ofCzechoslovakia in 1918. Historically, relations between the two countries had been tense, particularly with disputes regarding the seizure of Liechtenstein land and assets in Czechoslovakia. The two countries did not establish diplomatic relations until 13 July 2009.
The Czech Republic does not have anembassy in Liechtenstein, but the Czech ambassador toSwitzerland, located inBern, is also accredited to Liechtenstein. Similarly, the Swiss embassy inPrague also represents Liechtenstein.
In 1918, Czechoslovakia gained its independence fromAustria-Hungary at the end ofWorld War I.[1] Liechtenstein, though neutral, was closely tied to Austria-Hungary throughout the war and was sympathetic to theCentral Powers, as the two countries had been in acustoms union since 1852.[2][3] As such, Czechoslovakia deemed theHouse of Liechtenstein to be subordinate to theHouse of Habsburg and included its land and properties within the country to be expropriated as part of the 1918 land reform act. In addition, Czechoslovakia refused to recognize Liechtenstein as a sovereign state and also refused the establishment of a Liechtenstein embassy inPrague in 1923.[1]
In agreement with Switzerland in July 1938, Czechoslovakia indirectly recognized Liechtenstein's sovereignty by allowing its interests to be represented via Switzerland.[4] In March 1939, Czechoslovakia was occupied byNazi Germany.[5]
Liechtenstein was neutral throughoutWorld War II, and its neutrality was not violated by any of the combatants.[6] In 1945, Czechoslovakia instated theBeneš decrees, which included Liechtenstein citizens and assets as German. Czechoslovakia subsequently broke diplomatic relations with Liechtenstein and permanently seized all land and assets in the country belonging to Liechtenstein, particularly that of the House of Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein has continuously considered this seizure as a violation ofinternational law.[1]
Relations between Czechoslovakia and Liechtenstein remained tense throughout theCold War due to the land seizure. Czechoslovakia did not acknowledge the previous indirect recognition of Liechtenstein's sovereignty in 1938. In 1993, Czechoslovakia was succeeded by theCzech Republic, and Liechtenstein abstained from voting regarding the country's accession to theCouncil of Europe the same year. In 2003, the Czech Republic refused to recognize Liechtenstein as having become a sovereign state in 1806, which delayed an agreement regarding the expansion of theEuropean Economic Area for around one month.[1]
On 13 July 2009 the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein formally recognised each other and established diplomatic relations for the first time.[7] The two countries signed a correspondence treaty on 8 September 2009.[1]Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein also stated that the country would not take any further action regarding the seizures in 1945. In February 2020, the Czech Constitutional court inBrno rejected a case made by Liechtenstein to get the Czech government to change their classification of the House of Liechtenstein as German under the Beneš decrees.[8] On 19 August 2020, an inter-state application under theEuropean Convention on Human Rights was made by Liechtenstein to theEuropean Court of Human Rights against the Czech Republic.[9]
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see also:Foreign relations of Czechoslovakia | ||
