A senior Czech politician invoked a famous Cold War-era phrase by late US president John F Kennedy as he delivered a landmark speech to Taiwan's parliament Tuesday during a visit that has incensed Beijing.&nbsp;

Czech Senate speaker Milos Vystrcil channelled Kennedy's 1963 challenge to communism when he declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" to West Berlin citizens worried about the Soviet Union's looming presence behind the Iron Curtain.

Kennedy "used the phrase 'Ich bin ein Berliner' to show his support for the people of Berlin and the highest values of freedom", Vystrcil said.

"Maybe I can be more humble, but allow me to use the same determined phrase to conclude my speech in your country's parliament, in Taiwan -- I am Taiwanese."

His final declaration -- "I am Taiwanese" -- was delivered in Mandarin and received a standing ovation from lawmakers on the self-ruled island.

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As a precaution against coronavirus he gave his speech wearing a facemask, which was decorated with the flags of the Czech Republic and Taiwan.

Vystrcil is leading a 90-member delegation to Taiwan that Beijing has slammed as a "despicable act".

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Monday that Vystrcil would "pay a high price for his short-sighted behaviour and political speculation", while Beijing summoned the Czech ambassador.

Prague then summoned Beijing's ambassador in response to Wang's comments.&nbsp;

Beijing's authoritarian leaders view Taiwan as part of China's territory and have vowed to seize the island, by force if necessary.&nbsp;

It has tried to keep Taiwan diplomatically and economically isolated from the rest of the world, especially after the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-czech-senate-speaker-will-pay-heavy-price-for-taiwan-visit-324169">Also read|&nbsp;China says Czech senate speaker will pay 'heavy price' for Taiwan visit</a>

She rejects Beijing's idea that Taiwan is part of "One China" and views the island as a de facto sovereign nation.

Diplomatic breakthrough

The Czech government accepts Beijing's "One China" policy and does not send official delegations to the island.

But Vystrcil is a member of the right-wing opposition Civic Democrats and is not bound by the protocol.

The delegation, including politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and journalists, will meet Tsai on Thursday as part of their five-day trip.

Vystrcil said his visit was a way to highlight Czech sovereignty as his country "should not listen to the orders of another country, especially a non-democratic country", a clear reference to Beijing.&nbsp;

He said the Taiwan visit did not violate Czech's interpretation of the "one China" principle.&nbsp;

"We are not against the People's Republic of China," he told reporters.&nbsp;

"We also hope to have good, equal and mutually beneficial ties with the PRC, and similarly equal and mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan."&nbsp;

Taiwanese parliamentary leader Yu Shyi-kun called Vystrcil's visit a diplomatic breakthrough for Taipei that helps prove its existence to the international community.

"He does not yield to threats, intimidations and the lure of incentives... I believe that many countries will learn from Czech in the future," Yu said.&nbsp;

Vystrcil has said his trip follows in the footsteps of late Czech president Vaclav Havel, the dissident leader of the 1989 Velvet Revolution which toppled communism in the former Czechoslovakia.

Havel visited Taiwan in 2004, once he left office.&nbsp;

A senior Czech politician invoked a famous Cold War-era phrase by late US president John F Kennedy as he delivered a landmark speech to Taiwan's parliament Tuesday during a visit that has incensed Beijing.

A senior Czech politician invoked a famous Cold War-era phrase by late US president John F Kennedy as he delivered a landmark speech to Taiwan's parliament Tuesday during a visit that has incensed Beijing. Czech Senate speaker Milos Vystrcil channelled Kennedy's 1963 challenge to communism when he declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" to West Berlin citizens worried about the Soviet Union's looming presence behind the Iron Curtain. Kennedy "used the phrase 'Ich bin ein Berliner' to show his support for the people of Berlin and the highest values of freedom", Vystrcil said. "Maybe I can be more humble, but allow me to use the same determined phrase to conclude my speech in your country's parliament, in Taiwan -- I am Taiwanese." His final declaration -- "I am Taiwanese" -- was delivered in Mandarin and received a standing ovation from lawmakers on the self-ruled island. × As a precaution against coronavirus he gave his speech wearing a facemask, which was decorated with the flags of the Czech Republic and Taiwan. Vystrcil is leading a 90-member delegation to Taiwan that Beijing has slammed as a "despicable act". Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Monday that Vystrcil would "pay a high price for his short-sighted behaviour and political speculation", while Beijing summoned the Czech ambassador. Prague then summoned Beijing's ambassador in response to Wang's comments. Beijing's authoritarian leaders view Taiwan as part of China's territory and have vowed to seize the island, by force if necessary. It has tried to keep Taiwan diplomatically and economically isolated from the rest of the world, especially after the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Also read| China says Czech senate speaker will pay 'heavy price' for Taiwan visit She rejects Beijing's idea that Taiwan is part of "One China" and views the island as a de facto sovereign nation. Diplomatic breakthrough The Czech government accepts Beijing's "One China" policy and does not send official delegations to the island. But Vystrcil is a member of the right-wing opposition Civic Democrats and is not bound by the protocol. The delegation, including politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and journalists, will meet Tsai on Thursday as part of their five-day trip. Vystrcil said his visit was a way to highlight Czech sovereignty as his country "should not listen to the orders of another country, especially a non-democratic country", a clear reference to Beijing. He said the Taiwan visit did not violate Czech's interpretation of the "one China" principle. "We are not against the People's Republic of China," he told reporters. "We also hope to have good, equal and mutually beneficial ties with the PRC, and similarly equal and mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan." Taiwanese parliamentary leader Yu Shyi-kun called Vystrcil's visit a diplomatic breakthrough for Taipei that helps prove its existence to the international community. "He does not yield to threats, intimidations and the lure of incentives... I believe that many countries will learn from Czech in the future," Yu said. Vystrcil has said his trip follows in the footsteps of late Czech president Vaclav Havel, the dissident leader of the 1989 Velvet Revolution which toppled communism in the former Czechoslovakia. Havel visited Taiwan in 2004, once he left office.

'I am Taiwanese': Czech speaker channels Kennedy in Taiwan speech

Around a quarter-million Czechs flooded central Prague on Saturday to mark 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia, with protesters demanding that billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis quit over allegations of graft.

Some demonstrators waved flags or brandished banners calling for Babis to step down and chanted "Shame!" and "Resign!".&nbsp;

The CTK Czech news agency quoted Interior Minister Jan Hamacek as saying some 250,000 people had rallied at Letna park, the site of some of the biggest 1989 rallies -- &nbsp;matching a similar protest in June.

It came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which saw unprecedented protests and a general strike end four decades of Soviet-imposed totalitarianism in the former Czechoslovakia.

A former communist, the populist Babis faces a string of graft allegations and a conflict-of-interest probe by the European Commission centred on Agrofert, his sprawling farming, media and chemicals holding.&nbsp;

Babis has denied any wrongdoing and his ANO (YES) party still tops opinion polls with around 30 per cent support despite the controversy.

He is also tagged as an agent in secret police files from the 1980s, something he has vociferously denied.

'Democracy in danger'?&nbsp;

People living in a house overlooking the rally strung a banner saying "Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred", the motto of former Czech President Vaclav Havel, a former anti-communist dissident playwright.

Kristyna Kovarova, a 20-year-old student from the southern village of Malenice, said she had come "to fight for democracy."

"I think democracy is in danger because there are many people trying to twist it and set their own rules, but that's not right," she told AFP.

"I really don't like our prime minister's lies," said protester Josef Plandor, who travelled from the eastern village of Zasova.

"His huge conflict of interest, his lies, fraud, there's too much of that. He's not an honest man," said the 43-year-old forestry worker, adding that he was "sure" Babis would never quit.

The Million Moments for Democracy movement, which organised the protest, called on Babis to either resolve his conflict of interest or step down.

The 65-year-old Slovak-born politician was charged last year in connection with a two million euro ($2.25 million) EU subsidy scam, but in September a Prague prosecutor cleared him.

Student strike&nbsp;

Babis, the fifth wealthiest Czech according to Forbes, leads the centrist populist ANO movement in a minority coalition government with the left-wing Social Democrats, propped up by the Communist Party in parliament.

ANO took office after winning the 2017 general election campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket in the EU and NATO country of 10.6 million plagued by graft.

On November 17, 1989, Communist police brutally crushed a students' march, sparking a student strike and the creation of an opposition movement which then negotiated the Communist Party's departure from politics.

In late December 1989, Havel, then the opposition leader, was elected president of Czechoslovakia, which went on to peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

The neighbours joined NATO and the EU, with Bratislava also joining the eurozone in 2009.

Around a quarter-million Czechs flooded central Prague on Saturday to mark 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia, with protesters demanding that billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis quit over allegations of graft.

Around a quarter-million Czechs flooded central Prague on Saturday to mark 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia, with protesters demanding that billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis quit over allegations of graft. Some demonstrators waved flags or brandished banners calling for Babis to step down and chanted "Shame!" and "Resign!". The CTK Czech news agency quoted Interior Minister Jan Hamacek as saying some 250,000 people had rallied at Letna park, the site of some of the biggest 1989 rallies -- matching a similar protest in June. It came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which saw unprecedented protests and a general strike end four decades of Soviet-imposed totalitarianism in the former Czechoslovakia. A former communist, the populist Babis faces a string of graft allegations and a conflict-of-interest probe by the European Commission centred on Agrofert, his sprawling farming, media and chemicals holding. Babis has denied any wrongdoing and his ANO (YES) party still tops opinion polls with around 30 per cent support despite the controversy. He is also tagged as an agent in secret police files from the 1980s, something he has vociferously denied. 'Democracy in danger'? People living in a house overlooking the rally strung a banner saying "Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred", the motto of former Czech President Vaclav Havel, a former anti-communist dissident playwright. Kristyna Kovarova, a 20-year-old student from the southern village of Malenice, said she had come "to fight for democracy." "I think democracy is in danger because there are many people trying to twist it and set their own rules, but that's not right," she told AFP. "I really don't like our prime minister's lies," said protester Josef Plandor, who travelled from the eastern village of Zasova. "His huge conflict of interest, his lies, fraud, there's too much of that. He's not an honest man," said the 43-year-old forestry worker, adding that he was "sure" Babis would never quit. The Million Moments for Democracy movement, which organised the protest, called on Babis to either resolve his conflict of interest or step down. The 65-year-old Slovak-born politician was charged last year in connection with a two million euro ($2.25 million) EU subsidy scam, but in September a Prague prosecutor cleared him. Student strike Babis, the fifth wealthiest Czech according to Forbes, leads the centrist populist ANO movement in a minority coalition government with the left-wing Social Democrats, propped up by the Communist Party in parliament. ANO took office after winning the 2017 general election campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket in the EU and NATO country of 10.6 million plagued by graft. On November 17, 1989, Communist police brutally crushed a students' march, sparking a student strike and the creation of an opposition movement which then negotiated the Communist Party's departure from politics. In late December 1989, Havel, then the opposition leader, was elected president of Czechoslovakia, which went on to peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. The neighbours joined NATO and the EU, with Bratislava also joining the eurozone in 2009.

Huge Czech protest marking Velvet Revolution demands PM quit

Armenia President&nbsp;Armen Sarkissian&nbsp;on Wednesday "deeply regretted" the current political crisis in the country and called for talks to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the small ex-Soviet state since protests led to the prime minister's resignation last week.

"I deeply regret that the political crisis continues despite the fact that everyone is talking about how dangerous it is for the future of the country," Sarkissian said, in a statement published by his press service.

"I call for consultations to be continued this coming week, to find a way out of the crisis," he said.

Armenian protesters blocked roads in and around the capital on Wednesday, responding to a call from opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan for a campaign of civil disobedience to force the ruling elite to relinquish its grip on power.

Ex-Soviet Armenia is locked in a political crisis after the ruling party, severely weakened after days of protests that forced its nominee for prime minister to quit, dug in its heels and refused to back Pashinyan to replace him.

The standoff is being watched closely by Russia, which sees Armenia as a close ally and is wary of it going the same way as Ukraine, where an uprising swept to power new leaders who pulled the country out of Moscow's orbit.

In the capital, Yerevan, all the main streets were blocked by cars, minibuses and garbage bins. The road to the international airport was blocked. A spokesman for the civil aviation authority said one flight had been cancelled.

Reuters reporters in Yerevan said shops and offices were open, and some people were still trying to get to work, despite the roadblocks. Protesters marched through the streets, shouting "Nikol! Victory!", waving flags and blowing horns.

Police tried to persuade protesters to open roads, but did not use force. Local media reported that there were also protests in several other cities in Armenia, a country of three million people that is home to a Russian military base.

Tiny Armenia is strategically valuable for Russia, nestled in mountains between NATO-member Turkey and energy exporter Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has been in a state of conflict since both emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Pashinyan, in an interview with Reuters at a protest in Yerevan where he was surrounded by cheering supporters, said he would keep the pressure on the ruling party.

"My only power is my people. We are not going to give up," said Pashinyan, dressed in his trademark camouflage T-shirt and cap. "We will continue our strike and disobedience."

Sargsyan was forced to resign after tens of thousands of people flooded the streets in the capital of Yerevan and other cities and towns to protest his political maneuvering to cling to power despite repeated promises not to run for the position of the prime minister.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/armenian-leader-warns-of-political-turmoil-if-not-elected-prime-minister--134042">Nikol Pashinyan</a>, the leader of the opposition Yelq (Exit) movement who has accused Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of mass election fraud and vote buying, is demanding that the Republican-controlled parliament elect him as interim prime minister so he can organize free and fair elections in Armenia.

While addressing the people at the National Assembly on Monday, Pashiyan said that Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan had been threatening all the Armenian MP's and preventing them to vote for people's candidate, claiming that the duo plan to return to power.&nbsp;

Pashinyan led days of protests that forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as prime minister last week and is the sole nominee to take over the role. But he needs approval from a parliament dominated by Sarksyan supporters.

For many Armenians, this is the first time since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 that they are able to believe in a better future.

Armenia’s parliament is scheduled to vote for a new prime minister on Tuesday, eight days after former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who ruled Armenia for 10 years.

Pashinyan led days of protests that forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as prime minister last week

Armenia President Armen Sarkissian on Wednesday "deeply regretted" the current political crisis in the country and called for talks to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the small ex-Soviet state since protests led to the prime minister's resignation last week. "I deeply regret that the political crisis continues despite the fact that everyone is talking about how dangerous it is for the future of the country," Sarkissian said, in a statement published by his press service. "I call for consultations to be continued this coming week, to find a way out of the crisis," he said. Armenian protesters blocked roads in and around the capital on Wednesday, responding to a call from opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan for a campaign of civil disobedience to force the ruling elite to relinquish its grip on power. Ex-Soviet Armenia is locked in a political crisis after the ruling party, severely weakened after days of protests that forced its nominee for prime minister to quit, dug in its heels and refused to back Pashinyan to replace him. The standoff is being watched closely by Russia, which sees Armenia as a close ally and is wary of it going the same way as Ukraine, where an uprising swept to power new leaders who pulled the country out of Moscow's orbit. In the capital, Yerevan, all the main streets were blocked by cars, minibuses and garbage bins. The road to the international airport was blocked. A spokesman for the civil aviation authority said one flight had been cancelled. Reuters reporters in Yerevan said shops and offices were open, and some people were still trying to get to work, despite the roadblocks. Protesters marched through the streets, shouting "Nikol! Victory!", waving flags and blowing horns. Police tried to persuade protesters to open roads, but did not use force. Local media reported that there were also protests in several other cities in Armenia, a country of three million people that is home to a Russian military base. Tiny Armenia is strategically valuable for Russia, nestled in mountains between NATO-member Turkey and energy exporter Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has been in a state of conflict since both emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Pashinyan, in an interview with Reuters at a protest in Yerevan where he was surrounded by cheering supporters, said he would keep the pressure on the ruling party. "My only power is my people. We are not going to give up," said Pashinyan, dressed in his trademark camouflage T-shirt and cap. "We will continue our strike and disobedience." Sargsyan was forced to resign after tens of thousands of people flooded the streets in the capital of Yerevan and other cities and towns to protest his political maneuvering to cling to power despite repeated promises not to run for the position of the prime minister. Nikol Pashinyan, the leader of the opposition Yelq (Exit) movement who has accused Sargsyan and his ruling Republican Party of mass election fraud and vote buying, is demanding that the Republican-controlled parliament elect him as interim prime minister so he can organize free and fair elections in Armenia. While addressing the people at the National Assembly on Monday, Pashiyan said that Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan had been threatening all the Armenian MP's and preventing them to vote for people's candidate, claiming that the duo plan to return to power. Pashinyan led days of protests that forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as prime minister last week and is the sole nominee to take over the role. But he needs approval from a parliament dominated by Sarksyan supporters. For many Armenians, this is the first time since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 that they are able to believe in a better future. Armenia’s parliament is scheduled to vote for a new prime minister on Tuesday, eight days after former Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who ruled Armenia for 10 years.

Armenian President calls for talks to resolve crisis as protesters block roads in stand-off with authorities