PRAGUE - The President of the Czech Republic, General (retired) Petr Pavel, in his opening speech at the IISS Prague Defence Summit on Friday 8 November, said that "maintaining strong transatlantic ties is not just a strategic choice, but a necessity". A strong US presence in Europe strengthens NATO's collective defence and sends a clear signal to those who intend to threaten the peace".
He further stated that:
"Russia's aggression against Ukraine was a turning point for Europe with global implications. It is not just another regional conflict - it is a conflict that shapes the current international order.
"We must be better prepared for the increasingly hybrid nature of threats, whether they come through conventional military means, cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns or tactics designed to destabilise our societies;
"To protect our values and security, Europe must invest decisively in defence. It is clear that 2 % of GDP is only the lower limit. At the same time, spending must focus on strengthening our real defence capabilities;
"Our determination to defend ourselves must be backed up by active planning and deterrence... Better military coordination, stronger technological capabilities and interoperability across the Alliance are essential;
"Governments should take an active role in streamlining procurement processes ... and support the national defence industry ... through a judicious combination of support for European manufacturing and openness to external competition.
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