Prague's City Hall has firmly declined participation in organizing the official visit of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

"I can see no reason why Prague should participate in the visit under the present circumstances," Prague Mayor Tomas Hudecek, cited by Prague Daily Monitor, said Tuesday.

Hudecek further stressed it was absurd to have Yanukovych land at the Prague airport, which is named after Vaclav Havel.

The Mayor noted that when the Ukrainian President arrives in the Czech capital, the City Hall would not organize any protocol events, adding Prague would provide CZK 500 000 to Ukrainian antigovernment protesters, who have been hurt during the rallies.

The visit is to take place in April on the invitation of President Milos Zeman.

A number of Czech public personalities, poets, film directors, singers, athletes and local politicians have called on Zeman to cancel Yanukovych's visit. A petition asking the same has been signed by several hundred Czechs and their number is growing.

Relentless and violent protests in Ukraine began in November after Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign an EU association agreement.

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