Pavel meets Czech troops during Latvia visit

President Petr Pavel continues his visit to Latvia on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet Czech soldiers stationed at the military base in Ādaži. The troops, mainly from the 153rd Engineer Battalion based in Olomouc, are deployed as part of NATO’s forward presence strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Around 50 Czech soldiers have been serving in the mission since January, replacing specialists from the 53rd Regiment of Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare. Their task is to contribute to a multinational brigade helping to ensure the security of NATO’s eastern member states. Later in the day, Pavel and his wife Eva will also visit Bauska Castle and Rundāle Palace before travelling on to Lithuania.