Top NATO commander in Europe meets Czech chief of general staff over Afghanistan

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, met the chief of Czech general staff, General Vlastimil Picek, on Monday to discuss ways the Czech Republic can participate in the training of Afghan security forces even if the Czech Parliament does not approve a planned increase of Czech troops in that country. Admiral Stavridis said NATO needed more Czech instructors to train the Afghan army and police as part of NATO’s ISAF mission. During his two-day visit to the Czech Republic, Admiral Stavridis will also meet President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Jan Fischer.

The Czech Republic has over 500 soldiers serving in Afghanistan, while this year the government is planning to send an additional 55 Czech troops. However, these plans have been opposed by the left-wing majority in Parliament.

Author: Jan Richter