Petr Pavel, the former commander-in-chief of the Czech army and a senior NATO official, was sworn in as president of the Czech Republic on Thursday, sending, among other things, a message of support for Ukraine, Reuters reports.

In the presidential elections held at the end of January, Pavel defeated former populist Prime Minister Andrei Babish, who is involved in several corruption cases.

Pawel, who was head of NATO’s military committee for three years before retiring in 2018, promised during the election campaign to place the Czech Republic firmly in the camp of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance, a paradigm shift in the policy of former Czech President Milos Zeman, who sought to bring Prague closer to Moscow and Beijing.

The 61-year-old new president of the Czech Republic has pledged to continue to support Ukraine in the face of a Russian invasion, reaffirming that commitment during his inaugural address in Prague Castle’s Vladislav Hall.

He noted that Ukraine is an example of the fact that small countries can be successful, especially if they cooperate with each other.

“A strong Central European voice will be important if we want to help Ukraine win,” he said.

“Not only the experience of our own history should be the reason for continuing our support. But by doing so, we ultimately help ourselves,” he added.

After taking the oath, Paul was met by supporters in Prague Castle Square, some waving Czech and European Union flags, while a choir performed the country’s national anthem and a Czech version of Bob’s “The Times They Are a -Changin'”. Dylan.

The President of the Czech Republic does not have many responsibilities in the day-to-day activities of the executive branch, but he appoints the prime minister, the head of the central bank, has the right to vote in foreign policy and a powerful pole of influence on public opinion, capable of changing the position of the government.

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