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

Czechoslovakia's communist regime fell in 1989, and the country split into two republics in 1993 -- the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Although the U.S. Government encouraged political and economic transformation in Czechoslovakia, it was initially opposed to the idea of the country forming two separate states, due to concerns that a split might aggravate existing regional political tensions.

The United States established diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic in 1993, and the Czech Republic made integration into Western institutions its chief foreign policy objective. 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. The two 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 the Balkans, 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 help secure the benefits of peace and stability for the Afghanistan region, and help support further participation by the Czech Republic in coalition operations alongside the United States in pursuit of mutual security interests and goals.

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.

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, EU-funded projects, 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 Norman L. Eisen; 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:

Department of State Czech Republic Page Department of State Key Officers List CIA World Factbook Czech Republic Page U.S. Embassy: Czech Republic History of U.S. Relations With the Czech Republic Human Rights Reports International Religious Freedom Reports Trafficking in Persons Reports Narcotics Control Reports Investment Climate Statements U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics Export.gov International Offices Page Library of Congress Country Studies (see Czechoslovakia (Former)) Travel and Business Information