Europe must stand on its own two feet when it comes to security, President Petr Pavel said Thursday at a security conference. Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček called for allies to unequivocally support the U.S. And Israel following a strike in Iran, even as Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna emphasized the importance of air defense. The Chief of the General Staff, Karel Řehka, stated that increasing defense spending is essential if the Czech Republic wants to be a reliable NATO ally and strengthen its defenses.
President Pavel stated that after years of relying on security guarantees from others, Europe must now take responsibility for its own safety. “Not in a year. Not after the next elections. Not until we are ready. But now. And if we’re being honest, we should have done it a long time ago,” he said. He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump and his predecessors, have been urging Europe to do so for more than two decades.
The president also stressed the importance of political unity, warning against dividing society over national security issues. He cautioned against exploiting public fears for short-term political gains, adding that preparedness is built before a crisis, not under its pressure.
Regarding developments in the Middle East, Pavel described the situation as “dramatic, highly unpredictable, and will have a clear impact on all of us.” He warned that the boundaries of what is possible in international politics are shifting more rapidly than usual. “Expecting peace to come simply given that we wish it, talk about it, or expect someone else to negotiate it for us is not only naive. It’s primarily irresponsible and short-sighted.”
The president emphasized that strengthening national defense and resilience is not preparation for war, but rather a necessary condition for maintaining peace and the desired way of life. He characterized it as an investment in a secure and dignified future, noting that in modern conflict, preparedness extends beyond the military to encompass the entire society – a society that can only function when it agrees on essential areas like education, science, research, infrastructure, energy security, a capable military, and a strong, innovation-driven economy.
Havlíček: Current Period is One of the Most Security-Challenging
Havlíček characterized the current period as one of the most security-challenging in recent decades, citing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the current tensions in the Middle East.
He stated that now is not the time to bury one’s head in the sand, and urged support for the strike by the U.S. And Israel. Havlíček added that the United States and Europe must strengthen themselves individually and function together on alliances in the areas of security, economics, technology, raw materials, and energy.
The Czech Republic must also fulfill its commitments and allocate at least two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense, he said. NATO states agreed last year to increase defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, with an additional 1.5 percent of GDP allocated to related non-military investments. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš recently stated that the Czech Republic is not on a path to meet this goal.
Zůna: U.S. Pushing Europe to Take Greater Responsibility for its Security
Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna also addressed the conference, noting that current conflicts highlight the importance of air defense and strategic reserves, including ammunition. He also stressed the require for a functional public warning system and strengthening societal resilience.
Zůna also pointed out that the United States is taking steps to encourage Europe to assume primary responsibility for its own security. “All of this forces both NATO and the European Union to adapt, change approaches, and policies,” he added.
Řehka stated that Europe must work to maintain American attention on the continent, while simultaneously accelerating the development of a European defense pillar. “When we say that collective deterrence and defense within NATO is still the cornerstone of our defense, that means we must work with others to build capabilities so that those defense plans are achievable,” he noted.
The head of the army further emphasized: “We cannot say that we will be a reliable ally, that we will strengthen the state’s air defense, that we will strengthen territorial defense, that we will support the defense industry, and at the same time not increase defense spending, that simply cannot be done.”
Řehka: Russian Frustration Could Lead to Increased Sabotage
Řehka also discussed the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, warning that Russia’s frustration with continued Western support for Ukraine could lead to increased cyber, sabotage, and destabilization activities. He cautioned about the potential for drones to be used with chemical and biological weapons.
He also cautioned against focusing solely on Russia, stating, “Even relatively distant conflicts have an impact.” The recent U.S. And Israeli action in Iran, according to Řehka, will complicate the Russia-Iran arms cooperation.
Government advisor for security Hynek Kmoníček identified the Russian Federation as the most significant threat to the Czech Republic. He stated that the danger from Moscow existed even before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of supporting the defending country. Kmoníček also prioritized economic security and alignment with the West, stressing the importance of the Czech Republic’s visibility on the international stage.
