Speech by Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the Globsec Forum 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests!
Just like Mr President Pavel, I am very pleased to welcome you to Prague.
Hosting this forum for the second time is an honour to us. In the last twenty years, Globsec became a highly valued space for discussions about security, international system and our shared future.
It is a great honour for me to speak shortly after my friend President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Every day we must remember the brave struggle of the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. We must do so because it concerns our own security. This brings challenges for Europe as well, which I will also address in my speech.
I see myself as a realist. I believe in freedom and justice. But I also recognise, that these values need our active support.
The international reality is harsh. It gives no second chances. Without emotion, it decides, who is ready – and who is not.
The European reality is determined by geography. We live close to a country, which is not able to run itself – but always wanted to run the world.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the culmination of a long series of attacks – from the conflict in Georgia, the annexation Crimea, to hybrid and terrorist operations. Some of them happened on Czech territory.
And Europeans refused to fully admit, what these attacks were. We believed in myths. For instance, the myth of a fair partnership with Russia. And also the myth that we are not strong enough.
I think we already have enough facts about the potential partnership with the current Russian regime. Now, we need to deal with the second illusion – about our weakness.
Because the community of European democracies is much stronger than Russia. Economically, up to ten times. And we are also stronger in technology, demographics and society.
This truth must guide us. We must forget all myths and insecurities. Once and for all.
And it’s the right time. We live the biggest transformation of the world order in forty, or maybe eighty years. By definition, it cannot be easy.
This is not just about Russia. But also about the Middle East and the redesign of the Western security architecture.
It is a hard awakening. But it is also an opportunity. Western democracies have an inherent capacity to manage change. They can adapt and innovate. But they need to set their priorities.
Europeans have already come a long way. From self-satisfaction to responsibility. We must now complete this transformation in three main ways:
The first level is about realistic policy – that is money and weapons.
The more Europe invests in its defence, the bigger our ability to face threats.
The two percent of GDP target for defence spending is not enough anymore. And the extremely important NATO summit in The Hague will most probably confirm that.
This is why the Czech Republic is already increasing its investment in defence.
The ReArm Europe plan, the changing role of the European Investment Bank and growing investment in security demonstrate our understanding of what is essential:
Strong defence is not only a condition for survival. It is also an investment in prosperity, like advanced technology, jobs and European confidence.
The second area is strategic resilience and independence.
European countries already demonstrated, that they are able to achieve things, which seem impossible. In only months, we effectively removed our dependence on Russian gas and oil.
This was possible thanks to mutual assistance, changes in infrastructure and quick, strategic decision-making.
Now we need to approach other areas with the same urgency and efficiency. Our dependence on critical raw materials, chips and technologies is the same danger.
If Europe wants to survive, it must invest in own production and research. It must achieve strategic autonomy. And we must also stop limiting our own development with excessive regulation.
The third condition for our security is strong and determined society.
What makes us different from the rest of the world, is not weapons and technology. It is our open, cohesive and educated society.
We showed this, when we welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees with no hesitation. And they make us stronger every day. The Czech experience with Ukrainian refugees, the largest group in Europe per capita, clearly confirms this.
We know what to do under pressure. And we must continue this way. We must continue to explain, persuade and fight misinformation. The most important battles may happen right at home.
Ladies and gentlemen, the security crisis is clearly a test for European politics. It showed us, who is willing to defend our values and find solutions. And we can also see, who prefers inaction.
However, the overall picture is not bad, and this should give us hope.
In the last three years, the Czech Republic started important joint projects and initiatives with countries like Denmark and the Netherlands. They prove, that international partnerships can be quick and efficient.
The Czech Ammunition Initiative is a prime example of this.
From this experience, a new style of European cooperation is born. Medium-sized countries were on the side only a few years ago. But it’s different today.
They still use the EU infrastructure, but are actively shaping the continent’s basic security strategy. The distance from Prague to The Hague, Copenhagen or Tallinn has never been smaller.
At the same time, strong initiatives are starting led by Britain, France and, more recently, Germany. The Nordic and Baltic states are also converging. And there are many other similar developments.
This is a change, which we underestimated for long: flexible cooperation of those, who want to act without waiting for absolute unity.
It is not a fail of EU policy, it makes it stronger. It gives Europe robustness, agency and dynamics, which were all much needed.
Ladies and gentlemen, as I said at the beginning, I am a realist. As a realist, I know, that security is not a passive condition, but an ongoing process.
It does not exist without investment, the right mindset or the will to make decisions, even difficult ones.
Luckily, European countries now have a good history in all these points. That is good news.
Today, Europe does not stand on formal institutions. It is based on trust. It is based on the ability to collaborate, where it makes sense, and to act, when necessary.
We have every reason to believe, that we will manage our turbulent and transformative times. As long as we want to. The outcome is completely up to us. Thank you.
