Brussels, 19 April 2023
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the new Czech president, Petr Pavel, to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (19 April 2023).
Mr Stoltenberg praised Czechia as a valued Ally and thanked President Pavel for Czechia’s steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression:
“Czechia has provided critical military equipment to Ukraine, including tanks, helicopters and air defence missiles and you host hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.”
The two leaders also addressed the challenges posed by China.
Mr Stoltenberg said:
“I welcomed Czechia’s new strategy on the Indo-Pacific. China’s coercive policies are a concern for us in the Euro-Atlantic, just as for our partners in the Indo-Pacific. China challenges our interests, security and values. China is also growing closer to Russia – refusing to condemn its illegal war against Ukraine, and echoing Russian propaganda about the West. So it is important that we continue to work together as Allies, and with like-minded partners around the globe. To stand in defence of our values, and the rules-based international order.”
The Secretary General said he looked forward to working with President Pavel and the Czech government to prepare NATO’s Vilnius Summit in July.
President Pavel previously served as Chair of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018.
Source – NATO