Czech President Petr Pavel urges small nations to unite via EU, NATO

At a commemorative meeting in Neratovice marking the 150th anniversary of historian and politician František Palacký, Czech President Petr Pavel said that small and medium‑size nations can only prosper by cooperating closely and avoiding dependence on larger powers. He stressed that membership in the European Union and NATO protects the Czech Republic and supports its prosperity, and called on the government to make education a strategic priority. Pavel quoted Palacký, noting his belief that patriotism must be backed by daily action, and mentioned Palacký’s appreciation of the Russian people while condemning Russian imperial policies. The president urged that the nation’s strength lies in good relations with neighbouring and similarly sized European countries, while preserving its identity.

Pavel’s remarks highlighted the importance of the EU and NATO as security guarantees and advocated for a focus on education and cultural ties as key to the future development of smaller states.