The relocation of Radio Free Europe to Hagibor is stalled

Prague - The government has extended the lease of the radio station Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in the building of the former Federal Assembly in the center of Prague for two months longer than planned, until the end of May. Although RFE/RL began moving from the building in central Prague to a new facility in Prague's Hagibor in mid-November, today's Prague Daily reports that the relocation is challenging and has been delayed by two months.
    "However, I can promise that by the end of May it will be finished and the building will be handed over as planned to the National Museum," said Julian Knapp from the external relations department of Radio Free Europe.
    Shortly after the handover of the building, open house days with guided commentary will take place throughout the summer. "Prague residents walk and drive by the building daily, but few know it from the inside," quotes the Daily the director of the National Museum, Michal Lukeš.
    Concrete barriers that currently surround the building for security reasons will be removed. This will ease the traffic situation and improve conditions for pedestrians, who currently have difficulty accessing places such as the State Opera. The National Museum plans to gradually renovate the surroundings, and a restaurant on the ground floor will be opened as well. The building will be used for exhibitions in the fall, writes the Prague Daily.
    The government extended the lease agreement with RFE/RL for premises near Wenceslas Square once before in October of the year before last, until March of this year. The original contract expired in December of the year before last. The consideration of relocating the radio began after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. The construction of the new headquarters of the station began in 2006 and was approved last September.
    RFE/RL has leased the building for 15 years. It has a right of first refusal to close a lease contract for an additional 15 years. The new headquarters of the station, meeting the strictest international security standards, will provide the radio with 22,000 square meters.
    RFE/RL is an international news organization that broadcasts news and information to countries where a free press is officially banned or not sufficiently developed. It has 25 million listeners in 20 countries, including Russia, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The station is headquartered in Prague. It also operates 19 local offices in its broadcasting region and a branch in Washington.