News story

Foreign Secretary offers condolences following the death of former Czech President

Foreign Secretary William Hague said that he was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Vaclav Havel, aged 75.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
• Published: 18 December 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

On hearing the news the Foreign Secretary said:

“I was greatly saddened to hear of the death of Vaclav Havel. As the Czech Republic’s first democratically elected president, he played a pivotal role in the development of freedom in Europe. He will be remembered as a leader who helped create a modern democracy in the Czech Republic. His achievements are historic and will live after him. He will be sorely missed.”

Vaclav Havel was President of the Czech Republic until 2003.

Published 18 December 2011