Czechs want active part in US-NATO missile defense shield

The Czech delegation to the two-day NATO summit in Lisbon has said the country wants to be actively involved in the creation of a missile defense shield which would protect the territory of all NATO member states in Europe and North America. NATO has also invited Russia to take part, although it is not yet clear at what level. Russia’s involvement was strongly advocated, among others, by Czech President Václav Klaus. Prime Minister Petr Nečas said the Czech Republic was hoping to host an early warning centre but would welcome broader involvement, for instance in the sphere of military research.

NATO leaders also agreed on a gradual withdrawal of their military presence in Afghanistan, aiming to hand security responsibility to Afghan forces between 2011 and 2014 and to move into a more supportive role. The Czech Republic has been actively involved in the ISAF mission. In response to a US request Prague recently agreed to increase the Czech military presence in Afghanistan to 720 troops in 2011and is expected to maintain 640 troops in the country in 2012.