US, Czech Republic reiterate support for Ukraine

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Tuesday with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky as part of the US-Czech Strategic Dialogue.

The two men discussed bilateral relations as well as concerns about Russia and China.

"Secretary Blinken expressed his strong commitment to continued close collaboration with the Czech Republic as a valued NATO Ally and key partner on regional security, military modernization and civil nuclear cooperation," said the US State Department.

Blinken and Lipavsky reiterated their shared commitment to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, the statement said.

In addition, "the Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed shared concerns about the People’s Republic of China, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," it said.

Blinken praised the Czech leadership on human rights, democracy and civil society issues.

He thanked the Czech Republic for hosting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague since 1995, the statement added.

In a joint statement published by the two men after the Strategic Dialogue meeting, Blinken and Lipavsky emphasized that the unity and solidarity of NATO is of vital importance.

"We support strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense posture, particularly on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank. We welcome Finland’s membership in NATO and fully support swift membership for Sweden. We stand behind NATO’s open door policy," the statement said.