On 7 July 2025, Prof. Dr Thomas Groll was invited by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit the Czernin Palace in Prague. The historic building is not only the seat of the Czech Foreign Ministry, but also the scene of significant historical events - including the so-called ‘Third Defenestration of Prague’ in 1948, when the then Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk fell from the window of his office under circumstances that have not yet been fully clarified. Today it is considered likely that Masaryk was the victim of a politically motivated murder - evidence points to the involvement of Soviet agents.
An unusual format was realised in the inner courtyard of the palace: Five invited guests from Germany and five representatives from the Czech Republic were invited to an open debate, which was initiated by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. The aim was to break up the usual formal setting with a discursive round of selected experts as part of a strategic meeting with German counterpart Johann Wadephul and to provide new impetus.
The topic discussed was ‘Democracy in a New Era - Czech and German Answers to Global Instability’. Both foreign ministers were extremely open, willing to talk and interested in an honest exchange of views. The intimate atmosphere of the inner courtyard, surrounded by baroque architecture and political symbolism, gave the debate a special setting that not only conveyed historical depth but also current relevance.
Afterwards, Prof. Dr Groll expressed his gratitude and honour at having been one of the five German guests to take part in this format. This format is a great sign of academic and civil society involvement in foreign policy dialogues. They help to build bridges - not only between ministries, but also between academia, politics and society.
