Prague – The Czech Republic is in favor of enhancing the eastern border of the European Union and NATO, as well as promoting initiatives to expedite the advancement of modern technologies, including the formation of a drone alliance that will involve Ukraine. This statement was made today by Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) prior to his departure for an informal summit of the European Council in Copenhagen.
The summit will focus on two primary issues – shared European defense and support for Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian aggression for over three and a half years. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to present a plan aimed at increasing the EU’s defense readiness by 2030 to the leaders of member states. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the discussions via video link.
Fiala emphasized that Russia and its aggressive policies pose a threat to the entire continent, making it essential to bolster collective defense. He noted that Russia is testing Europe’s resolve and readiness. He welcomed the plan to enhance defense readiness, which he believes needs to be both realistic and ambitious. “We want the EU to invest in infrastructure of strategic importance for defense, such as bridges and major highways,” he remarked. The Prime Minister also stated that the European defense industry should not be hindered by bureaucracy, calling for quicker decision-making and the capacity to adapt to new demands and challenges.
With regard to support for Ukraine, Fiala stated that most European leaders share a consensus on this matter. “In this context, we appreciate the new proposal from the European Commission and support the utilization of frozen Russian assets, as Russia must compensate for the damages caused by its aggressive actions,” he asserted. He added that the Czech Republic is also in favor of swiftly adopting another package of anti-Russian sanctions, which includes a ban on LNG imports and has long advocated for restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats within Schengen. The Prime Minister reminded that on Tuesday, the government approved a proposal that forbids holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports from entering the Czech Republic, though this does not apply to diplomats accredited in the country or those merely transiting through the Czech Republic for state duties or international organization meetings. (October 1)
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