Washington, D.C. – Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met today in Washington to formalize the Czech-American Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), according to the Pentagon press department. The agreement, approved by the Czech government in April, aims to solidify the terms of potential cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces on Czech territory.

The signing of the DCA signifies a significant milestone in Czech-U.S. relations, as it further strengthens and deepens defense cooperation between the two nations. While the agreement does not specifically address the presence of U.S. troops or the establishment of a U.S. base in the Czech Republic, it sets the framework for future collaboration and coordination.

Czech Defence Ministry spokesperson David Jares confirmed the signing ceremony, stating, “The DCA will be signed on Tuesday morning, Washington time.” Following the signing, the agreement will need approval from both houses of the Czech parliament and the president.

This meeting comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral defense ties. Secretary Austin visited the Czech Republic in September last year, where he discussed defense cooperation with then Czech president Milos Zeman, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and Minister Cernochova. At the time, Cernochova emphasized the United States’ crucial role as the Czech Republic’s most important ally.

The Czech Republic, as a member of NATO, joins several other NATO countries that already have a DCA or similar agreements with the United States. The agreement aims to foster interoperability, joint training exercises, and information sharing between the Czech Armed Forces and their U.S. counterparts.

The signing of the Czech-American Defence Cooperation Agreement reflects the shared commitment of both countries to maintain a robust defense partnership. It serves as a testament to the mutual trust, collaboration, and shared values that underpin Czech-U.S. relations, with the agreement expected to pave the way for further security cooperation and strengthen regional stability.