President of the Republic Petr Pavel delivered the Keynote Address at the IISS Prague Defence Summit on the 9th of November 2024.

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I welcome the opportunity to address you tonight at the opening of the first edition of the Prague Defence Summit here in these historical buildings of our National Museum. I would like to welcome you to Czech Republic and welcome you to this beautiful city.

Actually, the last time that I was here in this very room – or the space – was my presidential debate. That time it was a little bit rougher than I hope it is going to be tonight.

I am glad to see so many government and military leaders, industry representatives, experts, and other partners united by a common purpose to strengthen our shared commitment to the security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. I would like here to also thank the International Institute of Strategic Studies for organising this right event at the right time.

We meet at the end of a crucial election year for the EU and the US. Following the European parliamentary elections in June and US presidential elections, both sides of the Atlantic are now in a period of transition. Something that happens only once every 20 years.

First and foremost, I consider it as an opportunity. An opportunity to work towards a renewed and strengthened transatlantic partnership, a partnership of values as well as common interests.

As far as Czechia is concerned, our transatlantic commitment remains strong. We look forward to continued cooperation with the new US administration in addressing common global challenges, including supporting our allies and maintaining our security.

This year marks a historic milestone for NATO, celebrating its 75th anniversary, and for the Czech Republic, the 25th anniversary of our accession to NATO. NATO has been a solid pillar of peace and stability based on credible deterrence and collective defence. The transatlantic relationship rooted in shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law has been the backbone of European security for decades.

The role of the United States remains essential. American engagement and leadership are vital to global stability. Maintaining a strong transatlantic bond is not merely a strategic choice, it is a necessity. A robust US presence in Europe reinforces the credibility of NATO's deterrence and defence and sends a clear message to those who intend to threaten peace and stability.

Only together can we face growing threats from autocratic regimes that seek to challenge democracies, whether from Russia, China, North Korea or Iran, individually or collectively.

I will recall here my recent address to the UN Security Council in September, where I called on China to take responsibility as a global actor to work for peace and stability. Being a major global power means not only the benefits, but mainly responsibility. I also repeatedly stressed that democracies around the world, regardless of geographical distance, must deepen their cooperation in critical areas including security, trade and science, research and technology advancement.

I would extend that also to all countries willing to negotiate rather than to confront. And I intend to continue doing so at any opportunity.

With Russia's aggression, Europe's security landscape has undergone the most fundamental change since the Second World War. Large-scale warfare has returned to our continent, reshaping our understanding of peace and stability. In Europe, we have to relearn that peace has to rest on strong deterrence and defence on one hand and on effective diplomacy on the other. Appeasement only invites further aggressions.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine was a turning point for Europe with global consequences. This is not just another regional conflict. It is a conflict that shapes the current and future international order. This is a fight not just for Ukraine's future, but for the principles that underpin our alliance, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Our commitment to support Ukraine – that is why – it must not fade out. The war in Ukraine reminds us that Europe's security cannot be taken for granted by the very existence of NATO. It underlines the urgent need to adapt to this new and complex reality.

Strengthening NATO's eastern flank must be our priority, serving as a vital line of defence and deterrence in times of heightened threats. We live in an era when threats are neither static nor predictable.

Today, we must be better prepared for the increasingly hybrid nature of these threats, whether they come through conventional military means, cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, or tactics designed to destabilise our societies.

Responding to this complexity requires robust conventional military capability, cyber defences, strong civil military cooperation, and resilient societies. Our response must be swift, decisive and collective. To protect our values and our security, Europe must invest more and better in defence. The 2% of GDP will simply not be sufficient.

Simultaneously, the expenditure must focus on strengthening concrete and real defence capabilities. Despite good progress, our work is far from over. Our resolve to defend must be backed up by an active planning and deterrence. Better military coordination, stronger technological cooperation and interoperability across the Alliance are essential. Governments should take an active role in streamlining procurement processes, in promoting closer cooperation between national defence industries, as a cornerstone of our defence capabilities.

The EU certainly has scientific, economic and industrial potential to do so. What we still lack is the mindset to unlock this approach. Ongoing problems of our defence industries in accessing finances and governmental guarantees are illustrative and well-known. The way forward is, in my view, in a reasonable combination of support for European production and openness to competition, as well as cooperation from the outside. During this conference, you will discuss many of these issues.

Besides, we must not overlook the importance and potential of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous systems, or advanced cyber capabilities. These will be central to our capability to defend our way of life and our countries.

 Addressing these security challenges will require stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector, particularly with those in the defence and technology industries. Therefore, I am pleased to see such strong representation here today.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing a seismic shift in global stability. Threats are rising and uncertainty grows. But as I already stressed, our strength lies in shared interests and values, freedom, democracy, and security for our people.

The future depends not on hope, but on our courage and commitment to defend what we hold dear. I believe that the free world is up to the task.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you a successful conference.

Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, Prague, November 8th, 2024