Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Polish Army General Mieczysław Bieniek recently visited the Czech Republic Chief of Defense, General Vlastimil Picek to discuss challenges and way ahead for the Czech Armed Forces.

During the visit, Bieniek discussed Multinational and Innovative Solutions (M&IS) and what the Czech Armed Forces can contribute to the initiative. Picek expressed his full support for capability development through this project.

A major topic of discussion during the visit was the Czech Republic’s Armed Forces overall role and their Political-Military ambitions.

In addition to defend the Czech Republic against external attacks, the Czech military has as its stated mission is to support Allied and international commitments and to develop NATO and EU capabilities.

Bieniek and Picek also talked about the Czech Republic’s Political-Military goal, which is the ability to participate in international military operations, as well as contribute to the NATO Response Force (NRF) and EU Battle Groups and special task forces and expert teams.

“I express my gratitude for the Czech Republic’s offer to take the lead in Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training projects as well as in flight training,” Bieniek said.

Bieniek and Picek went on to discuss the Czech White Paper on Defense that was developed by a 15 member team under leadership of First Deputy Minister of Defense Jiri Sedivy.

“The paper evaluates the real condition of the Czech military and proposes measures to improve functions of the Defense Ministry in the future,” Bieniek said.

The Czech government passed the White Paper on Defense on May 18th, 2011.