The Czech parliament yesterday ratified the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the USA, strengthening ties between the two NATO members.

The agreement paves the way for the presence of US military forces on the territory of the Czech Republic.

The agreement is entirely in their national interest and proves that relations with the United States are currently at a very high level, Defence Minister, Yana Chernohova, stressed before the vote in the Lower House.

It is particularly important, considering the current situation, when unfortunately a few hundred kilometers away from its eastern border, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is unfolding and Europe is threatened by the biggest military conflict since the Second World War, she added.

The Senate (Upper House) has already approved the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which the Lower House ratified yesterday. Therefore, all that remains now is the signing of the agreement by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, a retired NATO general.

The agreement was voted for by the five-party center-right government coalition and the official opposition (ANO), while it was voted against by the far-right “Freedom and Direct Democracy” party.

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The Defence Cooperation Agreement sets the framework for a possible US military presence on Czech soil, listing facilities that could be used by the US military, addressing issues of jurisdiction and environmental impact.

The Czech Republic, which is the 25th NATO member country to complete such an agreement, has bought attack helicopters from the US and is also considering acquiring 24 F-35 fighter jets.

After the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many NATO member countries increased their defence spending.

Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April, ending decades of neutrality, while Sweden aspires to join NATO soon.

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