Agreements are under preparation – There have been meetings of teams of negotiators from the two countries at roughly two-month intervals since the Czech Republic had accepted the U.S. request for talks about a potential location of a radar base in the Czech Republic (since 28th March 2007).
These teams’ task is to prepare an agreement on anti-ballistic defense that will be a fundamental document covering a possible construction of a radar site in the Czech Republic. Among other things, this agreement will regulate conditions of exact location and operation of the radar base, access to the base, maintenance of the radar, etc.
A part of the agreement will be an agreement that shall settle legal aspects of the base and stay of soldiers of another NATO country on the territory of the Czech Republic (this agreement will be based on the NATO SOFA Agreement).
At the same time, American expert teams keep visiting selected sites taking measurements necessary for the final decision. A detailed summary of experts’ visits and talks can be found under “Chronology”.
Approval by the Parliament of the Czech Republic – None of the steps made so far (entering into negotiations, preparation of agreements…) is legally binding upon the Czech Republic and anticipates the final decision on whether the Czech Republic will accept the U.S. offer eventually. As soon as the above-mentioned agreements are ready (maybe in spring 2008), they shall be submitted for approval to both Houses of Parliament of the Czech Republic. The Parliament will be offered the chance to either accept or reject the American request for location of the radar in the Czech Republic.