Zeman, a towering yet polarizing figure in Czech politics, celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday at an event held near the historic Hluboká Castle in the South Bohemia region.
Among the guests were Duda, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and former Czech President Václav Klaus.
Polish private radio broadcaster TOK FM asked Sikorski whether Duda’s visit to Zeman's birthday party was consulted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw.
Sikorski said: “It was consulted, we advised against it... I would advise a different choice of friends to the president.”
Asked if Duda’s participation in the event could damage Poland’s international reputation, Sikorski said: “It probably made a bad impression in Poland.”
“I think that the president already regrets [attending] …This does not build his authority.”
However, Marcin Przydacz, a lawmaker from the right-wing Polish opposition Law and Justice party that supports Duda, came to his defense, saying it was normal for leaders to maintain connections, regardless of political differences.
Przydacz said: “Despite their differences in political views, President Duda and Miloš Zeman had good cooperation during their term in office. So, I don’t see anything inappropriate in the fact that they continue this relationship.”
Contentious figure
A seasoned political figure, Zeman has held key positions in Czech politics, including serving as prime minister from 1998 to 2002.
He wrapped up his political career with two presidential terms from 2012 to 2023.
Renowned for his blunt rhetoric, Zeman often sparked debate and controversy, pushing the boundaries of political correctness.
He also had a reputation as one of the most Kremlin-friendly politicians in Europe, having opposed international sanctions on Russia following its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.
However, he condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, demanding tough sanctions on the Kremlin.
