Czechs ratify defense agreement with the US that facilitates the deployment of American troops in the Czech Republic

(Patria) - The Czech Republic has completed the ratification of a defense agreement with the United States that deepens military cooperation and facilitates the deployment of American troops on Czech territory, AP reported.

The signature of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala was the final step in the ratification process of the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was supported by both houses of parliament in July and President Petr Pavel on August 1.

The document sets a legal framework for the possible deployment of American troops in the country in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Czech Minister of Defense Jana Cernochova signed the agreement together with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington on May 23. The US has similar agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, and Bulgaria, which form the eastern flank of the alliance.

Any deployment of American forces would still require the approval of the Czech government and parliament.