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U.S. Relations With the Czech Republic

More information about the Czech Republic is available on the Czech Republic Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-CZECH REPUBLIC RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic in 1993 after then-Czechoslovakia split into two separate independent republics. The Czech Republic made integration into Western institutions its chief foreign policy objective in the first years after communism. Relations between the United States and the Czech Republic are excellent and reflect their common approach to the many challenges facing the world. The Czech Republic is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), and is an important and reliable ally in promoting U.S. interests. Our countries have worked together to strengthen security, promote economic development and democratic values, and defend basic human rights. The United States looks to the Czech Republic as a partner in issues ranging from Afghanistan to Syria, and seeks opportunities to continue to deepen the relationship.

U.S. Assistance to the Czech Republic

U.S. security assistance programs for the Czech Republic seek to strengthen Czech capabilities, enhance interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, and provide opportunities for professional and technical education of military officers and noncommissioned officers, civilian leaders, and other specialists.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union. The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, and the United States and the EU continue to pursue initiatives to create new opportunities for transatlantic commerce, notably the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), which would create a free trade zone covering 50 percent of global GDP and 30 percent of global trade. The Czech Republic is a strong supporter of T-TIP.

The United States and the Czech Republic have a bilateral investment treaty. Successive Czech governments have welcomed U.S. investment, and the United States has been one of the Czech Republic s top investors. Leading sectors for U.S. exports to and investment in the Czech Republic include automotive parts and equipment, education, energy, franchising, information technology, medical equipment, scientific equipment, and the agricultural sector. The Czech Republic participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

The Czech Republic s Membership in International Organizations

The Czech Republic and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The Czech Republic also is an observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic is Andrew H. Schapiro ; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department s Key Officers List .

The Czech Republic maintains an embassy in the United States at 3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel. (202) 274-9101.

More information about the Czech Republic is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here: