Nicușor Dan will make an official visit to the Czech Republic, at the invitation of President Petr Pavel

President Nicușor Dan will make an official visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday, September 30, at the invitation of his counterpart, Petr Pavel. Discussions will focus on regional security, bilateral relations and cooperation in the defense industry.

According to the Presidential Administration, Nicușor Dan will meet with Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and the presidents of the two chambers of the Czech Parliament. The agenda includes Romanian-Czech cooperation at the bilateral, European and allied levels, amid the threats generated by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

European agenda priorities, the development of economic exchanges and investment, including in the defense industry, will also be addressed. The visit comes at a time when Europe’s security and strengthening NATO members’ defense capabilities are among the main topics of discussion.

In the evening, the president of Romania will meet with members of the Romanian community in Czechia at the Embassy of Romania. The program will conclude with an official dinner hosted by Petr Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová.

The visit also takes place amid changes in Prague’s position on defense and support for Ukraine. In February, Andrej Babiš said that Czechia was not seeking to reach the new levels of defense spending proposed within NATO. At the beginning of the year, the new Czech coalition alternated between critical statements about Ukraine and cautious support for it.