News

Czechia received nearly CZK 78 billion more from the European Union budget and funds than it paid in contributions last year, the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic said. Of the net balance, about CZK 47 billion came from the EU recovery programme NextGeneration EU, with the rest from structural funds and the common agricultural policy. The net position fell year on year from CZK 84.5 billion. Finance Minister Alena Schillerová said the decline underlines the need to closely monitor the pace of drawing EU funds.

Road maintenance crews in Prague have deployed all available equipment and manual cleaning staff due to snowfall, according to the city-owned company Technická správa komunikací. The company said gritters and cleaning teams are working continuously, with further steps depending on the intensity of snowfall. Some public transport services may face delays, especially trams and buses, while several suburban bus routes have been cancelled or suspended. Road maintenance for the city is carried out by Pražské služby and contracted firms, which have around 200 vehicles and nearly 300 workers available for winter operations.

The project to purchase F-35 fighter jets has reached a stage where it must continue, ANO party leader Andrej Babiš said after visiting the Čáslav air base, adding that he wants to improve the contract terms. President Petr Pavel recently backed the plan, noting that 18 NATO countries intend to acquire the jets, making them the backbone of the alliance’s air defence. He warned that reversing the decision would mean losing funds already paid, including advance payments. Pavel also said the army must address personnel shortages, possibly by strengthening reserves or offering state-supported training for volunteers in key specialisations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has praised Czechia’s continued and valuable contribution to the collective security of the North Atlantic area. The remarks were made during Wednesday’s meeting with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists' Party) in Brussels, the Czech News Agency reported, citing a NATO official.

The Czech Foreign Ministry later said on social media platform X that Macinka outlined the priorities of the new Czech government. The two also discussed the situation in Ukraine and developments in the Arctic region.

Later on Wednesday, Macinka also met the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. On Thursday, Macinka will attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers for the first time in his role.