Islamabad
After the departure of the Polish ambassador and his wife, another well liked couple, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Miroslav Krenek and Alena Krenek, will be leaving Pakistan in a few days.
To bid them farewell, Dean of the European Union group of diplomats, the amiable Ambassador of Romania, Emilion Ion, hosted a dinner at the Nazara lounge which was attended by most EU envoys; a few from other countries, including those who have recently arrived and a number of Pakistan friends of the host and guests of honour.
Addressing his guests before dinner was served, the host said he was sad to say farewell to another colleague whom he had known for the past four years. “So many colleagues are leaving this year,” he said. “I believe it may be the biggest exodus I have seen so far in my six years in Pakistan.” With words of appreciation about the Czech envoys diplomatic skills and how he had improved bilateral relations between Pakistan and his country, Ambassador Ion concluded by presenting Elena a bouquet of flowers and his colleague a memento from Romania.
The guest of honour in his typical soft spoken manner thanked his host and other guests and said it had been a good experience working in Pakistan. “We were here twenty years ago and lived Karachi, for four years, so altogether we have been in Pakistan for nearly nine years,” he said. “When the post fell vacant and I was asked to come here, we happily agreed and have not regretted it.”
After a few words of appreciation about the cooperation he had received from his colleagues and Pakistani friends, he concluded with best wishes for everyone.
On an aside Elena Krenek said it had been an overwhelming experience to visit Karachi to say their goodbyes there. “Even after twenty years our Pakistani friends were so warm and hospitable,” she said. “It was impossible to accept all the invitations we received but we managed to
meet most of them.” Adding that it had been a wonderful experience being in Pakistan and she will keep in touch with her friends, nevertheless she was looking forward to spending more time at home with the family as her husband was retiring — which is usually difficult for diplomats traveling the world.