Czech Security Council discusses army and NATO obligations

The Czech Security Council, with President Petr Pavel in attendance, discussed the state of the army and the country’s NATO commitments, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) told journalists. He said the government will decide in May or June who will attend the NATO summit in Turkey in early July.

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists‘ Party) recently suggested that Babiš should attend the summit instead of Pavel, arguing that the president represents the opposition. The Presidential Office stressed that participation depends on an agreement between the prime minister and the president. In the past, Babiš repeatedly said that Pavel would represent the Czech Republic.

According to the prime minister, the Council also covered army readiness, NATO spending targets, anti-drone measures, and air defence.

The government’s draft budget foresees total defence spending of around CZK 185 billion (€7.4 bn) this year, or 2.07% of GDP, up from CZK 171.1 billion (2.02% of GDP) in 2025. He added that his government has made no commitment to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, as the previous cabinet had pledged.