Press Advisories

22. 10. 200916:14

US Vice-President Joe Biden's visit to Central Europe

The visit of US Vice-President Joe Biden to Central Europe, and to Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic in particular, due to take place from 20th to 23rd October this year, falls on the anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain in Central Europe, that is at a time when cooperation between Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic and the US has taken on a new shape.

Vice-President Biden plays an active part in the US President's foreign affairs team. One of the most significant activities following his appointment to office was the first foreign policy speech of the new Obama administration, made in Munich in October this year. Since then Vice-President Biden has visited the Balkans, Europe as already mentioned, and Iraq on more than one occasion, as well as Central and South America.

Vice-President Biden's visit to the Czech Republic will take place on Friday 23rd October, when he will meet Prime Minister Jan Fischer, President Václav Klaus, and will also meet representatives of certain political parties and embassy employees at the US Embassy in Prague.

The main topics for discussion will include bilateral cooperation of the two countries within NATO, on energy security, the fight against climate change and cooperation in the area of investment and trade.

On bilateral NATO cooperation the topics of joint activities in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans will be open, as well as joint exercises and a look at NATO reform. In addition, the new architecture of Missile Defence in Europe, which should be more efficient when compared to the original form of Missile Defence, should also cover the whole of Europe and meet more current threats which might face Europe.

On energy security and the fight against climate change, the countries of Central Europe are taken to be key players in the diversification of delivery routes for mineral raw materials in Europe.

Not least of the topics for discussion will be the new role which the countries of Central Europe play in resolving global questions such as Afghanistan, Iran, energy security, the economic boom and support for human rights and democracy in the world.