Press statements

by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala

  • 23 Jun. 2022 -
  • |
  • Last updated: 23 Jun. 2022 14:47

(As delivered)

Prime Minister Fiala, Petr,

It’s great and a pleasure to have you here.

Welcome back to the NATO Headquarters.

It’s great to see you again.

The Czech Republic is a committed NATO Ally, making valuable contributions to our shared security.

In response to Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine, you have stepped up to protect other NATO Allies,
and to support Ukraine.

The Czech Republic has provided significant military equipment to Ukraine, including tanks, helicopters and rocket systems.
And you host hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

You also lead NATO’s new battlegroup in Slovakia, helping to deter any aggression against our Allies.
And you contribute forces to our battlegroups in Latvia and in Lithuania.

You are leading by example when it comes to countering chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

Today, we discussed our preparations for the NATO Summit in Madrid.

We will make important decisions in five key areas.

We will agree NATO’s new Strategic Concept.
A blueprint for our Alliance’s future.
It will set out our joint position on Russia, emerging challenges, and on China.
As well as on our partnership with the European Union, which has reached unprecedented levels.

We will step up our deterrence and defence.
Strengthening our presence, capabilities, and readiness.
Particularly in the eastern part of the Alliance.

We will take further decisions to support Ukraine and other partners at risk.
Including with a comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine.
And I welcome that President Zelensky will address leaders at our Summit.

We will improve burden-sharing.
With more defence investment, to do more together.

And we will address Finland’s and Sweden’s historic applications for NATO membership.
Ensuring that the security interests of all Allies are addressed, while making progress in their accession process.
Türkiye has legitimate security concerns, and we are working to resolve those with Finland and Sweden.

The Summit is an opportunity to recommit to the vital bond between Europe and North America.

As we face the most serious security situation in decades, we must continue to stand together.
To protect our people and our values.

So, Prime Minister,
Thank you again for the Czech Republic’s many contributions to NATO.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Summit in Madrid next week.

So, once again, please welcome.