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PRAGUE—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today stressed the United States’ “rock solid commitment” to the NATO alliance, and the importance of enhancing regional security cooperation. Speaker Ryan’s comments, made at a conference on transatlantic security held in the Czech Senate, came at the end of an official visit marking the centennial of U.S.-Czech diplomatic relations.

“It is more vital than ever before for our allies to be strong, for them to be sovereign, prosperous, and committed to the defense of shared Western ideas,” Speaker Ryan said. “My visit here has only given me even more optimism, and more confidence, about our ability to stand together. And for that, I thank you, and I am very pleased that we are here to commemorate this glorious 100th anniversary of our nations’ relationship.”

Jubilee Declaration. Earlier in the afternoon, Speaker Ryan addressed a special session of the Czech Parliament, and signed a Jubilee Declaration alongside Speaker Radek Vondráček in recognition of the centennial. The two speakers then held a joint press conference.

Meeting with Speaker Vondráček. Prior to the special session, Speakers Ryan and Vondráček, along with U.S. Ambassador Stephen B. King, met to discuss our bilateral ties as well as ways to strengthen the dialogue between the two legislatures. They also discussed defense issues, particularly the importance of meeting NATO’s two percent defense spending benchmark.

Charles University Forum. In the morning, Speaker Ryan took part in a forum with students from Charles University, one of the oldest universities in Europe. Topics of discussion included U.S.-EU relations, trade issues, energy policy, and the need for civic engagement.

During his visit, Speaker Ryan also met with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, toured Radio Free Europe headquarters, and presented Ambassador King with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol to honor the centennial.

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