President Pavel received in Poland with military honours

President Petr Pavel began his two-day visit to Poland on Thursday. He was received in Warsaw with military honours by Polish president Andrzej Duda. The pair then had a private meeting, during which they discussed their countries' mutual cooperation within the framework of the Bucharest Nine, support for Ukraine, energy security, the upcoming NATO summit, and the transport connection between Czechia and Poland. President Duda expressed appreciation that Mr Pavel visited Poland immediately after Slovakia.

Other items on Mr Pavel's Thursday agenda included meetings with representatives of the Polish parliament, laying a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier, and dinner with President Duda. The Czech president also plans to meet with Czech compatriots at the Czech embassy on Václav Havel Square.

On Friday, President Pavel will meet with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and visit the European border agency Frontex. He will then fly to Rzeszów Airport in the east of the country, which has served as a shipment point for military aid from Western countries to Ukraine.

This is the new Czech head of state’s second foreign trip in office, following a visit to Slovakia at the start of the week. The Czech president also plans to visit Kyiv next month, following a discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week.