Gov. Jim Pillen and a state delegation are on a trade and diplomatic mission to the Czech Republic and Germany. Pillen shown speaking at a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet. Sabet is second to the left, standing at the television screen. (Courtesy of NE Governor’s Office)
LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen wraps up the first part of a trade and diplomatic mission to Central Europe this weekend with meetings in the Czech Republic — including with Czech alumni who studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — before heading to Germany.
Pillen and a state delegation arrived Thursday in the Czech Republic, welcomed with a reception at the home of U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet.
Friday, the governor went from the U.S. Embassy in Prague to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he and leaders of the Nebraska National Guard discussed Nebraska’s 30-year military partnership with the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.
“The Czech Republic is easily one of our strongest allies,” said Col. John Williams, director of joint staff. “They were with us immediately after 9/11 and have proven themselves time and again to be resourceful, competent soldiers and airmen.”