President: No better alternative than NATO and EU for Czech Republic

Czech President Petr Pavel has reaffirmed that membership in NATO and the European Union provides the strongest guarantee of security and prosperity for the Czech Republic.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Pavel emphasised that political parties advocating withdrawal from either alliance are acting against the country’s interests, Caliber.Az reports via Czech media.

“It would be strange and perhaps even reprehensible if the president of the country did not follow the development of the political campaign before the elections that will determine the development of our country for the next four years. I follow almost all the speeches of politicians from different political parties,” he said.

The president noted that he often hears campaign pledges that lack clear arguments on how they would be fulfilled, as well as proposals that, in his view, would not contribute to the Czech Republic’s security or prosperity. “And that worries me,” he remarked.

Pavel underlined that both security and prosperity will be key criteria for him when deciding on the appointment of a new government.

“The best guarantee of our country’s security is NATO membership and alliances with democratic countries. I am also convinced that for our prosperity, for our country to develop and be successful, it is good for it to be in the EU. And I'm not saying that NATO or the EU don’t have flaws. But we don’t have a better alternative,” he stated.

Concluding his remarks, Pavel stressed that he will take into account the stance of political forces toward NATO and the EU when considering the composition of a future government.

“Therefore, anyone who calls for the Czech Republic to leave NATO or the EU is, in my view, harming our country. And this is one of the criteria that I will take into account when I receive a proposal for any composition of the new government,” the president added.

By Tamilla Hasanova