Czech Minister of the Interior Ivan Langer and Steve Ballmer Discuss Strategic PartnershipBoth sign agreements supporting future expansion of modern technologies in the Czech Republic. PRAGUE, Czech Republic — May 22, 2008 — The government of the Czech Republic has decided to accept new strategic co-operation agreements, Microsoft Enterprise agreements, Microsoft Select agreements, business and service contracts with Microsoft as well as a proposed agreement on a security partnership with Microsoft and an amendment to the Microsoft source code access agreement that extends the arrangement for another three years. The documents will be signed by Minister of the Interior Ivan Langer and will help with the further development and growth of modern information technologies in the Czech Republic.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp, while visiting the Czech Republic, met with Ivan Langer, the country's Minister of the Interior, to discuss possible future partnerships in the areas of information technologies and support to e-government projects. The talks resulted in their signing two important agreements, namely on strategic cooperation between Microsoft and the Czech Republic and on information safety collaboration. "Today, the Ministry of the Interior signed two agreements with Microsoft on behalf of the Czech government — on information safety collaboration and on strategic cooperation. We realize that everybody who uses information technology has to deal with many threats and risks. Our new safety partnership with Microsoft will help us prepare for any type of attack and build a stronger state administration. The strategic cooperation agreement will allow the Czech Republic to save CZK 700 million in IT costs," said Minister of the Interior Ivan Langer. "At Microsoft, we believe close partnership between government and the private sector is key to delivering the benefits of information technology and driving sustainable economic growth. These partnerships combine the government's ability to shape public policy and reach large numbers of citizens with the private sector's ability to drive innovation and create new opportunities," Ballmer said. "Today's agreements are an example of Microsoft's commitment to work closely with the Czech government to support efforts to build a knowledge-based economy." Strategic Cooperation Agreement
The agreement confirms Microsoft's and the Czech Republic's interest in developing mutual cooperation, primarily in the form of programmes and activities aimed at further increasing the use and penetration of information technologies in public organisations and education as well as the private sector and supporting digitalisation of the Czech Republic's public administration. National Information Safety Support
The agreement in the field of information safety will give the Ministry of the Interior all the advantages and benefits of Microsoft's Security Cooperation Program (SCP). The global initiative invites governments of participating countries to collaborate on common safety issues such as response to computer-related incidents, mitigation of computer attacks and public protection against cyberthreats. By allowing governments to share information on threats and preventive measures, the programme lowers such attacks' chances of success and offers a framework for important communication and collaboration among government agencies in different countries responsible for IT infrastructure, law enforcement, public safety and education. In April of this year, Microsoft also extended its agreement with the National Security Authority on source code access provided under the company's Government Security Program (GSP). The programme is a platform for Microsoft's collaboration with national governments and institutions on identifying their unique security needs and requirements. The GSP gives governments access to the source codes of Microsoft products and offers personal cooperation with the company's software developers and access to technical information on the security system in Windows. The programme also helps governments evaluate their existing systems, improve protection against information leaks, and design and implement new and safer systems. More information on Ballmer's visit to the Czech Republic can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/cze/steve. About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
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