Czech president gets personal White House invite from Trump

PRAGUE (AP) — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump thanked Czech President Milos Zeman for his support Tuesday, and the two exchanged invitations to visit.

Zeman's office said Trump appreciated that Zeman "was the only European president" to endorse him during the campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Some European prime ministers did endorse Trump.

During a telephone call, Trump invited Zeman to visit him in the White House. Zeman's office said the two agreed "an ideal opportunity" for the meeting will be Zeman's trip to the U.S. planned for April when he is scheduled to receive an award from Jewish groups. It said the Czech president returned the invitation by suggesting the president-elect visit Prague — and that was accepted.

Their views of the fight against Islamic terrorism and political and economic cooperation between the U.S. and the Czech Republic were also discussed.

Zeman, who is known for his strong anti-migrant rhetoric, previously said he shared Trump's views of migration and the fight against Islamic extremism. He also opposes the European Union's sanctions against Russia; Trump has called for a tempered approach to U.S.-Russia relations.

Zeman has been to the United States three times since he was elected in 2013, but was not invited to the White House by President Barack Obama.