Pavel: defence spending plan must keep Czechia credible in NATO

President Petr Pavel says Czechia must present and stick to a realistic plan to increase defence spending in order to remain a credible ally in NATO. Speaking during a visit to the Olomouc Region, Pavel said he wants to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, the ANO party leader, Finance Minister Alena Schillerová(ANO) and Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD). The plan is to be submitted at the NATO summit in Turkey in July. Pavel warned that failure to act could undermine Czechia’s standing, noting that most NATO members already meet or exceed the alliance’s defence spending targets.