Pavel and Babiš agree to coordinate Czech foreign policy after months of tension

President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babiš agreed Monday to improve coordination of Czech foreign policy, signaling a further easing of tensions after months of disputes between the government and Prague Castle.

The two leaders met for about an hour at Prague Castle, discussing upcoming foreign trips, security issues and legislation as well as preparations for the 2027 state budget. They agreed to continue meeting as needed rather than establishing a fixed schedule.

The talks came a day after Babiš confirmed that Pavel will lead Czechia's delegation to the next NATO summit, avoiding a repeat of a dispute over this year's summit that ultimately required intervention from the Constitutional Court.

A major focus of Monday's meeting was Pavel's upcoming trip to the United States for the UN General Assembly in New York.

Pavel presented Babiš with a draft of the speech he plans to deliver at the assembly, which Prague Castle said draws on proposals from the Foreign Ministry and Czechia's long-term foreign policy priorities. He also briefed the prime minister on bilateral meetings planned alongside the gathering.

Pavel is due to depart for the United States on Sunday. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will also travel to New York.

Both leaders agreed that government ministries and state institutions need to better coordinate Czech foreign policy and share information from international meetings.

Prague Castle specifically highlighted the need for the Foreign Ministry to share the outcomes of its meetings so that officials can properly prepare for foreign trips and negotiations.

Macinka had also been invited to Monday's meeting but did not attend following discussions with Babiš. The prime minister said he expects the foreign minister to meet Pavel separately.

"I think the time has come for Mr. Macinka to go there as well," Babiš told reporters.

The agreement follows a turbulent period in relations between the government and president. Czechia's top constitutional officials had stopped holding regular foreign policy coordination meetings earlier this year, while a dispute over Pavel's participation at July's NATO summit in Ankara reached the Constitutional Court.

Babiš and Pavel have recently indicated that relations have stabilized. Their next scheduled encounter is expected at an October meeting of the National Security Council.

Monday's discussion also touched on Czechia's relationship with China, with Babiš confirming afterward that he is considering visiting the country next year.

The prime minister characterized the possible trip as a business mission consistent with what he called the government's pragmatic economic policy.

"This is how allies who do business behave," Babiš said, adding that he saw no problem with such a visit.

A trip by Babiš would continue a tentative revival of high-level Czech contacts with Beijing. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura visited China in July, becoming the first senior Czech official to make an official trip there in several years.

Pavel and Babiš also discussed a planned China trip by Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna that was recently canceled. Babiš said ministers are expected to inform both him and the government about planned foreign travel and indicated that had not happened properly in this case.

Beyond foreign affairs, Pavel and Babiš discussed cyber threats, the situation in Europe and Babiš's recent meeting with the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four countries. They also touched on pending legislation, including changes to construction rules and the planned return of electronic sales registration.

"We're in touch," Babiš said of his relationship with Pavel, noting that the two have each other's phone numbers and can speak whenever necessary.

No date has been set for another one-on-one meeting, but both sides said future talks would be arranged as issues arise.