The Czech Senate Defence and Security Committee has unanimously endorsed a proposal to spend at least two percent of GDP annually on defence. This is in line with NATO recommendations and is expected to be approved by the Senate next week.
The law, if approved, would take effect from July and would apply to next year’s state budget. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the two percent recommendation is a minimum spend, not a maximum.
The Czech Republic is one of many countries that have committed to increasing defence spending in line with NATO recommendations. This move is expected to strengthen the country’s security and defence capabilities.