Buenos días, señoras y señores!

Thank you for the opportunity to address the Argentine Council for International Relationstoday, here in the beautiful and dynamic city of Buenos Aires.

It is my great pleasure to be in Argentina on an official visit - far from Europe, yet in a familiar environment, in a country that has become home to many of my ancestors.

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of meeting again with President Javier Milei, two years after his visit to Prague. We had a good discussion on the state of the world and our bilateral relations.

I believe our two countries – the Czech Republic and Argentina - have much in common. There are many opportunities to strengthen further our friendly partnership and deepen bilateral trade. That is the purpose of my visit.

While we may come from different worlds – Czechs are famously devoted to beer (both in production and consumption) – we are clearly capable of appreciating excellent wine, an area where Argentina truly excels. And who knows, maybe this visit will also inspire our Argentine friends to discover the charm of good beer. 

I am standing here in The Argentine Council for International Relations 30 years after President Václav Havel, first head of state of the Czech Republic to visit Argentina, in 1996, delivered his own remarks in this very place. He spoke about his experiences of life under “communism” and shared his philosophical reflections. When we read his words today, we realize just how much the world has changed.

Today, I want to address the current state of the world, and the deeper questions it raises about security, values, and our future. To share with you my perspective:

from Central Europe,

from the heart of the European Union,

firmly anchored in NATO.

I have come here to convey a simple yet crucial message: “we are stronger together”. My country may be geographically distant from Argentina, but we stand close in what truly matters:

respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,

commitment to democracy,

open trade,

and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Today, these values are being seriously challenged.

Today, the world is shrinking, what happens in Europe is deeply tied to what unfolds elsewhere in the world. Security today is no longer regional. It is global.

To understand one crisis, we must understand them all. But also - understanding one crisis helps to understand others - actors are often the same, even if their roles differ across theatres.

From the Central European perspective, we feel most acutely the consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine - the largest conflict in Europe since the mid-20^th It is a war in which Russia has now been engaged longer than the Soviet Union was during the Second World War.

This conflict has direct and significant security, economic, humanitarian and broadly political implications on my country and on Europe.

However, the war Russia is waging against Ukraine matters far beyond the continent. Its outcome will shape the future security arrangement on the continent and will have military, diplomatic and strategic implications on conflicts elsewhere. It already happens.

The Czech Republic knows well the value of freedom - and the price of foreign occupation. Between 1948 and 1989, Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet-bloc – dependent on what is today’s Russia.

Our history gives us a moral responsibility to stand with nations facing aggression, especially in our neighbourhood. For us, what 2022 means to Ukraine is what 1968 - the year of the Soviet invasion - means to the Czechia.

Furthermore, there are credible indications that Russia does not view its aggression as temporary. It is significantly expanding its military strength and actively brainwashing its population into supporting confrontation with the West.

We live in a world where everything is questioned - and Russia exploits hesitation and division. Its strategy relies on war fatigue, disinformation, cyber pressure and political interference to test Europe’s cohesion.

I want to reiterate that if Russia gets away with a full invasion of a sovereign country, it will send a dangerous message worldwide:

That it is acceptable to redraw borders by force.

That the UN Charter is nothing but a piece of paper if you have weapons and veto power.

That (what we call) the “West” lacks the will to defend its values when the cost seems too high.

All of this has real consequences in other theatres and continents:

If international law and the UN Charter are violated with impunity in Europe, everyone’s ability to assert its rights in the face of other provocations will be severely weakened.

Argentina’s prosperity relies on global trade and stable markets. A fragmented and unstable Europe would disrupt supply chains, weaken investor confidence, and empower those who thrive on chaos.

The principles that Argentina stands up for are the very same principles being violated in Ukraine. I deeply value the Argentinian support to territorial integrity of Ukraine, and I am pleased that we continue to align our positions, including at the United Nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Strong Europe is what will protect Ukraine and the whole continent in the long run. I believe a secure and stable Europe has positive ramifications on other parts of the world.

A stronger Europe is also the condition for a credible transatlantic alliance. The United States remains indispensable for European security. Having said that, U.S. policy is undergoing a deep and profound recalibration of priorities, leaving Europe facing a level of strategic uncertainty unseen for generations.

Future U.S. support will be more transactional, and tied to Europe demonstrating real capability, cohesion and readiness to carry responsibility.

Current efforts and initiatives to strengthen European sovereignty and capabilities are essential for a sustainable transatlantic partnership.

This strategic recalibration also applies to trade and economy. In a world where economic ties can be used as leverage, openness works when accompanied by diversification and clear rules.

From a European perspective, agreements such as those between EU and India, and EU and Mercosur, are important steps in the right direction. They are not only commercial agreements, but also strategic tools – reducing dependency, expanding opportunities, and anchoring partnerships in a rules-based framework.

The signing of the Treaty between EU and MERCOSUR represents a historical milestone in the development of our relations.

Ultimately, the future will be shaped by the ability of democracies to cooperate. As both French President Macron and Prime Minister Carney from Canada have each argued in different ways, rules are not a moral luxury; they are the operating system that allows non-hegemonic powers to survive in a world shaped by coercion.

Our task before is not to restore an old order that no longer exists. We must adapt, build a new equilibrium, more resilient and firmly grounded in rules and responsibility, even as uncertainty grows within democracies themselves. The challenge is immense. But the cost of hesitation is far greater.

We are united by shared values and common views on key international developments. That is why it is even more urgent for democracies like ours to strengthen cooperation and defend a world where principles matter more than power. No single democracy can face these challenges alone. Let me assure you that I will continue playing a very active part in this effort.

Europe and Latin America should act together and defend international law, free and open economy, and the sovereignty of states.

Thank you for your attention.

Petr Pavel, the President of the Czech Republic, Buenos Aires April the 14 2026