A defence cooperation agreement between the Czech Republic and the US – seen as another security guarantee for Czechia – was approved by the Czech Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, despite the absence of votes from the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy Party, which criticised the deal.
Despite lengthy discussions and campaigns against the agreement, 114 of 144 MPs voted in favour, and only members of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy Party (ID affiliated) voted against it, choosing to spread pro-Russian views instead.
The agreement will be signed by Czech President Petr Pavel, who will complete the official ratification process.
“This is indeed a historic moment, as this agreement gives our country another security guarantee that fits into the overall alliance framework and deepens not only defence cooperation with our most important ally,” Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS, ECR) said after the vote.
“This is particularly important given the current security situation when unfortunately, just a few hundred kilometres from our borders to the east, brutal Russian military aggression is taking place and when Europe is threatened by the biggest military conflict since the Second World War,” she added.
The agreement will enable the deepening of cooperation between the Czech and US armed forces, particularly in relation to the defence of NATO’s eastern flank, logistical support for allied military activities, strengthening defence infrastructure, increasing the interoperability of armed forces, military education and joint training and exercises.
The Czech Chamber also adopted a resolution related to the agreement. According to the document, the agreement does not confer the right to deploy nuclear weapons or establish permanent US military bases on Czech territory.
The possible presence of US armed forces in the country would still be possible only after the consent of the Czech Republic.
(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
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