The Czech Republic currently holds the rotating EU presidency and would have been represented by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, but his government lost a vote of no confidence on Tuesday and will now have to resign.
The opposition accused the government of Topolanek of inactivity during the ongoing global financial crisis and also reiterated its position against the government's plans to deploy elements of the U.S. missile shield in the country.
"The Czech Republic has officially informed us [Russia], that the delegation of the European Union at the summit in Khabarovsk will be represented by the Czech president," Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov said.
Author: Ksenia Kochneva
