SOFA treaty signed in London

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and his Czech counterpart Vlasta Parkánová signed an agreement Friday clearing the way for stationing US forces to operate a missile defence radar in the Czech Republic. The status of forces agreement provides the legal basis for the US presence in the Czech Republic, and marks the last piece of more than a year’s negotiation over the radar. Robert Gates called the step “the culmination of a process to draw [the two] nations closer and help protect Europe”. He expressed the hope that the Czech Parliament would now ratify the agreement. The US radar base, paired with 10 interceptor missiles stationed in Poland, aims to counter possible threats by rogue countries, such as Iran. Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkánová said she the missile defence system would make a significant contribution to regional security.

Author: Jan Velinger