Czech President Petr Pavel said on Wednesday, November 5, that security in the Indo-Pacific region is closely linked to Europe’s security. Speaking at the European Values Summit in Prague, he commended the European Values Center for Security Policy (EVC) for establishing an office in Taiwan, underlining the importance of understanding the Indo-Pacific situation for Europe’s trade stability and security. 

The summit, organized by the EVC, aimed to promote dialogue and cooperation on security policy. This year’s meeting focused on Taiwan’s security, resilience, technology, and the relationship between NATO allies and the Indo-Pacific Four: Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. Experts from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the United Kingdom also attended.

In his address, Pavel highlighted the EVC’s role since its founding in 2005 in defending freedom, democracy, and the rule of law through public awareness and expert analysis. He noted that after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the center was among the first to warn about Russian disinformation and hybrid warfare.

Pavel warned that democracy now faces both external and internal threats. He urged democratic nations to restore public trust through persuasive and reasoned communication, stressing that no country can truly isolate itself in today’s interconnected world, where security challenges in one region quickly affect others.