The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and his wife, Eva Pavlová, undertook a two-day visit to the Vysočina Region. The program on June 16th and 17th, 2026, focused primarily on the completion of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, the development of the defense industry, environmental protection, modern technologies, and the needs of municipalities in the region.

The President's visit began at the National Atmospheric Observatory in Košetice. He was interested in air quality monitoring, the tracking of greenhouse gases, and international cooperation in the field of climate research. Environmental issues were among the important topics of the entire visit, as the Vysočina Region is a place where issues of energy, transportation, agriculture, and long-term landscape development converge.

Subsequently, the President traveled to Jihlava, where he met with the city's leadership and council members. The topics discussed included the future of the regional capital, the modernization of transportation, the support of sports, and the broader development of the region. With the Governor of the Vysočina Region and regional councilors, Petr Pavel also discussed the completion of Dukovany, high-speed rail lines, healthcare, and regional financing.

The President particularly praised the Vysočina Region's efforts to better integrate healthcare and social services. He believes that this is an area where the region can serve as an inspiration for other regions. The accessibility of services, healthcare, and social care are issues that are becoming increasingly important for people living outside of the major cities.

As part of the first day, there was also a visit to the Diocesan Youth Center Mamre in Osová Bítýš. The President discussed with volunteers about working with young people, community activities, and the importance of local initiatives. He then continued to the First Brno Machine Works in Velká Bíteš, which specializes in turbine engines and technologies for the aerospace industry. He spoke with representatives of the company about technological development, exports, and the importance of the Czech industry.

The first day of the visit concluded in Třebíč, where the President met with the city's leadership and then debated with citizens at the Pasáž Theater. Public debates are a regular part of his regional visits and allow people to directly ask questions about topics that interest them.

On the second day, the President met with mayors from the vicinity of Dukovany. The main topic was the impact of the planned construction of new nuclear units on life in the region. According to Petr Pavel, this is not only an energy project, but also a matter of transportation, security, housing, and the functioning of public services. The completion of Dukovany will significantly affect not only the Vysočina Region, but also the South Moravian Region.

The discussion also touched on acceleration zones and the need for better communication between the state, regions, and municipalities. Cooperation between all levels of public administration should be key to ensuring that major infrastructure projects do not only burden the region, but also provide new opportunities.

The President concluded his two-day visit in Moravské Budějovice, where he visited a shared testing ground for unmanned aerial vehicles. He learned about the development of drones, autonomous control of unmanned systems, and a plan for a technology park that will connect companies, the public sector, and academia.

The visit to the Vysočina Region highlighted several key themes that will significantly impact the region in the coming years: energy, security, transportation, modern industry, the environment, and the quality of public services.

gnews.cz: GH