President Pavel to represent Czechia at NATO summit

President Petr Pavel will represent the Czech Republic at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25. The summit is expected to focus on the situation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and the need to increase spending on defense. According to the Office of the President, the Czech Republic is keen for the upcoming NATO summit to demonstrate alliance unity and stands ready to support an increase in defence spending commitments up to five percent of GDP. According to President Petr Pavel, such a goal aligns with the obligations the country has undertaken. The Czech Republic met the previously set target of two percent of GDP last year, currently spending 2.08 percent on defence. Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government has pledged to raise that figure to three percent by 2030.