Bilateral cooperation 32 | Czech Republic The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic established diplomatic relations on 8 September 2009. With this step, the two countries were able to resume their bilateral relations after an interruption of more than 70 years, which had followed the appropriations of Liechtenstein property by Czechoslovakia without compensation. Upon establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries agreed to appoint an independent Commission of Historians with the goal of making a contribution to mutual understanding of the countries’ shared history and of its opportunities and challenges. The Commission of Historians, whose mandate runs until the end of 2013, began its work in 2010. With the assumption of diplomatic relations, the process of normalising bilateral relations began. Like Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic belongs to the European Economic Area. Both countries share common values and are close trading partners. The more than 700 years of history of the House of Liechtenstein in Bohemia and Moravia also represent a unique link between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic. The initially difficult starting point now gives Liechtenstein special opportunities to work together with a Central European country which – fully embedded in the European Union – has always also consciously followed its own path. In the last few years, numerous reciprocal official and unofficial visits at the high and highest political levels took place; for historical reasons, exchanges with the region of South Moravia have been particularly extensive. A regular political dialogue on foreign policy and bilateral questions as well as on shared membership in the European Economic Area and the European unification process began with a meeting of the two foreign ministries at a high official level in May 2012 in Vaduz. In the areas of business and culture, several concrete projects have been realised. In 2010, H.S.H. Reigning Prince Hans-Adam von und zu Liechtenstein for the first time opened an exhibition from the Princely Collections showing works from the Biedermeier period Thanks to normalisation in Prague. Numerous other exhibitions with the participation of the Princely Collec- of bilateral relations, tions and the Archives of the Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein followed, dedicated to Liechtenstein now has the influence of the House of Liechtenstein in Bohemia and Moravia. Liechtenstein participates with productions at the renowned German-language theatre festival in Prague and took part in Architecture Week Prague 2011 with works from the exhibition very unique opportunities for cooperation with competition «Konstruktiv». A continuation of cooperation in the field of foreign cultural policy is planned. In 2010, the region of South Moravia was a guest country at the LIHGA trade fair in Liechtenstein. In the autumn of 2011, a high-ranking business delegation visited the Czech Republic. Valuable contacts were established and strengthened during these visits. In 2011, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic for the first time in their history accredited non-resident ambassadors in Vienna and Bern. the Czech Republic.