Commercial presentation Update: 29/04/2024 17:21
Issued by: 29/04/2024, 14:47
Prague – The Czech Republic and Germany share a view of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the security situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, President Petr Pavel said after a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier. According to him, countries also have similar positions in relation to China or African countries.
“I’m glad that we share very similar positions on a number of these issues,” said Pavel. He looks forward to continuing the discussions.
According to Steinmeier, Russia’s attack on Ukraine brought countries in the European Union and NATO closer together. “We must do our part to avert such threats by fulfilling our commitments and obligations and ensuring that NATO has the military forces and capabilities it needs,” the German president said. “We are even more convinced that our support for Ukraine must not slacken right now,” he added.
After the meeting, Pavel highlighted the German initiative to strengthen air defense for Ukraine, according to him, it is of fundamental importance, because air defense and artillery ammunition are crucial for Ukraine. Steinmeier reminded that Germany is the second largest supporter of Ukraine after the USA. According to him, the aid mainly concerns anti-aircraft defense, where Germany has contributed the latest technology to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against attacks. He also praised the Czech initiative to purchase ammunition, in which Germany is participating.
According to him, Germany will continue to support Ukraine both militarily and economically, as well as during reconstruction. Germany will hold a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine in Berlin in a few weeks, he said.
Pavel: The Czech Republic wants to deepen cooperation with Germany in energy and cyber security
The Czech Republic is interested in deepening cooperation with Germany in energy, science, research and development, digitization and cyber security. His Czech counterpart Petr Pavel said this after today’s meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Prague. According to him, Germany is a strategic partner.
After a joint press conference, the two presidents honored the memory of the victims of the December shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová also honored the monument at the building about a month ago.
According to Pavel, states are linked economically, historically, culturally and at the level of interpersonal relations. Almost a third of Czech exports go to Germany, and the country is also the third largest investor in the Czech Republic. “We are interested in further developing these relationships and in moving from the role of a subcontractor nowadays to the role of a partner and innovator,” remarked Pavel.
In addition to deepening cooperation in energy, in science and research, in digitization and cyber security, one of the main goals is also a greater infrastructural connection of the Czech Republic with Bavaria and Saxony, according to Pavel.
According to Steinmeier, relations between the Czech Republic and Germany have never been better than now. According to him, relations between like-minded states are more important than ever in times of upheaval.
The heads of state met at a time when the Czech Republic is commemorating 20 years since joining the European Union. Both presidents will also speak at a conference on this topic at Prague Castle on Tuesday. Steinmeier also noted that the strategic interest of both countries and the entire Union is the enlargement of the EU. According to him, Germany supports the Western Balkan countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in joining the bloc. The Czech Republic has had the same attitude for a long time.
Both presidents were asked about the current situation in Slovakia, and both mentioned the planned meeting with the new head of state, Peter Pellegrini, who will take office in mid-June. “I think it is necessary to look at things with a little distance, not to judge everything according to statements, but according to real actions,” said Pavel. For example, in relation to Ukraine, according to him, the situation is different than before the elections, support for the attacked country continues at different levels.
“As for other things, such as the situation of the media and the courts, it will probably be necessary to wait to see how the situation develops concretely, and then take a position on it,” he added. Steinmeier said that his country is following developments in Slovakia, but first he wants to talk to Pellegrini.
Unlike Germany and the Czech Republic, Slovakia does not send Ukraine military material from the army stockpile. After a joint meeting between the Slovak and Ukrainian governments, Prime Minister Robert Fico, for example, talked about an agreement to strengthen the energy connections of the two countries, a new railway connection and the modernization of the joint border crossing. The head of the Slovak government also supported Kyiv’s ambitions to join the EU.
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