Czech President Petr Pavel visits anti-tank trenches in Setomaa during Estonia state visit

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová made a state visit to Estonia on Wednesday and Thursday. Among other stops, the president visited anti-tank trenches being constructed in Setomaa parish, which have been part of Estonia's broader defence infrastructure efforts.

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová arrived in Estonia for a two-day state visit on Wednesday, with the programme including a notable stop at anti-tank defensive trenches currently under construction in Setomaa parish, southeastern Estonia.

The Setomaa trenches are part of Estonia's ongoing efforts to build up land-based defensive infrastructure along strategically sensitive areas. The site had already drawn public attention when Estonian outlet Õhtuleht reported on the construction project just over a month ago.

Pavel, a former Czech Army general and NATO military committee chairman before entering politics, brings a uniquely informed perspective to visits of this kind. His background in defence and alliance coordination makes him a particularly notable figure to observe Estonia's frontier fortification work firsthand.

The state visit reflects the close ties between Estonia and the Czech Republic, both NATO allies that have been vocal supporters of Ukraine and advocates for stronger eastern flank defence. Bilateral meetings during such visits typically cover regional security, defence cooperation, and broader European policy alignment.