Czech Gov't Plans to Strengthen Security at Prague Airport

PRAGUE (Sputnik) — The Czech government plans to strengthen security measures at Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, the country's prime minister said Tuesday.

"The purpose of the government is to support all the measures necessary to ensure that we were able to provide airport passengers and visitors with the highest possible safety standards," Bohuslav Sobotka said while visiting the airport.

He added that terrorist acts, particularly those that took place in Brussels in March, should serve as a very strong warning.

Sobotka said he had also instructed Interior Minister Milan Chovanec to prepare the relevant materials for the meeting of the Security Council of the Republic.

"I think that within six months or a year, all the necessary measures will be taken," the prime minister added.

Vaclav Havel International Airport, named after the last president of Czechoslovakia, is the busiest airport in the newer EU member states. In 2014, it catered for over 11 million passengers.

On March 22, a series of blasts hit Brussels Airport and a metro station located near the EU institutions in the center of the city, killing 35 people. The Islamic State militant group, which is outlawed in many countries, including Russia, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

IS also claimed responsibility for the November 13 Paris attacks, which killed 130 people and injured over 350 others, raising global terrorism concerns and stirring Europe to reinforce its safety and security measures.