Czech government plans to withdraw funding for Prague Defence Summit

The Czech government plans to withdraw financial support for the Prague Defence Summit, an international security conference attended by senior NATO, European and US officials. According to iRozhlas (Czech Radio online service), the Defence Ministry proposes cancelling a three-year funding agreement with the British-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. The government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) will consider the proposal on Monday. The annual contribution of 1.875 million euros, approximately 45.5 million crowns, would be cancelled for 2027. The ministry cites budget savings. Former Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) says the decision could weaken Czechia's international standing. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended last year's summit.