Explanation of Czech Republic's Position Towards the De Facto States in Frozen Conflicts a Case of Taiwan

This thesis focuses on the position of the Czech Republic vis-à-vis de facto states in the extended concept of frozen conflicts. The thesis divides de facto states into three categories according to the nature of this position and Taiwan is identified as the only member of the positively perceived category. The aim of the thesis is to find out why the position of the Czech Republic towards Taiwan is different from that towards other de facto states in frozen conflicts. Specifically, the thesis examines the positive perception of Taiwan in the Czech Republic and the dynamics of the relationship between the two actors. The thesis first justifies the overall distinctiveness of Taiwan from other de facto states and then justifies the rapprochement between the Czech Republic and Taiwan. Václav Havel's value politics, Taiwan's assertive diplomacy, and the unified perception of Taiwan and anti-China policies in domestic discourse are identified as the main factors behind the actors' rapprochement. The paper also highlights the lack of direct influence of economic relations on the dynamics of mutual relations and the irrelevance of the concept of frozen conflicts on the mutual perception of both actors