Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with the Czech Republic Minister of Defence Jana Černochová today at the Pentagon. The two leaders discussed the bilateral relationship and signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to further strengthen our defense ties, enhance NATO operations, advance Transatlantic security, and protect shared interests and values. Secretary Austin and Minister Černochová also discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, to include Ukraine security assistance, and condemned Russia's brutal war of choice in Ukraine. They also saluted the 30-year anniversary of the Czech Republic's State Partnership Program with both Texas and Nebraska National Guards.
Secretary Austin commended Minister Černochová for the Czech Republic's significant and sustained support to Ukraine. He applauded the Czech Republic for its commitment to strengthening deterrence and defense on NATO's Eastern Flank, including through its leadership as the Framework Nation in the NATO battlegroup in Slovakia. Secretary Austin and Minister Černochová shared key priorities in advance of the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July. Secretary Austin recognized the Czech Republic's commitment to defense spending and its ongoing investments in modern, NATO interoperable military equipment.
