Petr Pavel, the new president of the Czech Republic, spoke out in favor of better defense cooperation during his inaugural visit to Vienna on Thursday. In particular, he mentioned the Czech Republic’s offer of military aircraft to Austria. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said that both countries support Ukraine “to the best of their ability”. He described the government’s financial commitment to mine clearance as “progress”.
The Federal President would not have seen any conflict with Austrian neutrality in demining aid to Ukraine, but the federal government decided on financial support of two million euros. “The Czech Republic is doing something special,” said Van der Bellen about military support to Ukraine and the reception of refugees from Ukraine.
When asked about neutrality, Pavel said it was not for him to judge. However, the former Czech chief of staff noted that Austria had clearly condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and was not neutral on values. In the “broader global arena”, according to the Czech president, smaller countries such as Austria and the Czech Republic are also “players who have something to offer” and “have something to say”. They should be “more active”.
Pavel: “Better cooperation in the defense industry”
The war in Ukraine has increased the understanding that countries must take responsibility for their own defence. Defense spending is an “investment in the security of all of us. That is why we need to look for ways to improve cooperation in the defense industry.” He accepted the Czech Republic’s offer to the federal government to “modernize” air surveillance. In 2018, the Czech Republic offered Austrian L39-NG training jets from Aero Vodochody and pilot training.
Mutual praise for good bilateral relations
Both presidents praised the bilateral relationship. “I dare say that bilateral relations have never been better,” said Van der Bellen. The trade balance has reached “historic levels”. The Czech Republic has developed into Austria’s most important trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Austrian direct investment in the Czech Republic amounted to almost 17 billion euros. The Federal President was also “surprised” when he found out that the Czech Republic ranked fourth among all countries of origin of tourists.
Both presidents praised cross-border cooperation in areas such as health care and policing. According to Pavel, this cooperation can also serve as an example for other countries. However, both also advocated improving transport links. In this regard, Pavel spoke of a “long-distance run”.
Arrival by train, visit to the Schweizerhaus
Pavel had already arrived in Vienna by train on Wednesday. After his arrival he met Czechs abroad. He visited the Schweizerhaus with former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg. Pavel also presented the Komensky school association with a check for nine million Czech crowns (approximately 380,000 euros) for the operation of the Czech school in Vienna. On Thursday morning, in good weather, Pavel was able to walk through the center of Vienna past the State Opera to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, accompanied by the Czech ambassador Jiri Sitler.
In the second round of the presidential elections at the end of January, 61-year-old Pavel clearly defeated the populist former prime minister Andrej Babis with 58.3 percent of the vote. Pavel is considered pro-Western and pro-European. The former chief of staff headed NATO’s military committee from 2015 to 2018. The political career changer succeeded Milos Zeman, who stepped down from his position in early March.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
