16 June 2005

Czech Prime Minister visits NATO News 15/06/2005 - NATO Czech Prime Minister to visit NATO HQ Opinions 16/06/2005 - NATO Transcript of the press point with the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister Multimedia 16/06/2005 - NATO High resolution photos of the visit 16/06/2005 - NATO Audio of the press conference (MP3/4116Kb) The new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Jiri Paroubek, met for talks with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at NATO HQ on 16 June. The Secretary General and Mr. Paroubek discussed the key issues on the Alliance’s political agenda, its partnerships, and the defence reform process in the Czech Republic. This was Mr. Paroubek’s first visit to NATO since his appointment as Prime Minister in April 2005. Praise for a staunch Ally Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Secretary General praised the Czech Republic for its contribution to NATO-led missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq, and its leadership of NATO’s Multinational Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence battalion. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also said he hoped the Czech Republic would reach the NATO target of spending 2% of its GDP on defence, noting that it is “very close”.