Defence Minister J. Naď meets German Ambassador J. Bleicker
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- Date: 20.05.2020
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Germany is among Slovakia's most important strategic partners in the Euro-Atlantic area, whether that's in foreign policy and economic relations or in tackling common challenges in the field of defence and security, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď stated during his first official meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Slovakia, HE Mr Joachim Bleicker, at the Ministry of Defence today (20 May 2020).
During the discussion, Minister Naď said: "By joining EU and NATO structures, we committed to a clear foreign policy orientation. It is, therefore, natural that in this particular area we are strengthening our relations with our partners, while concurrently seeking to contribute solutions to common issues, including the development of cooperation with its leaders. Relations with Germany have been at a high level as standard and in the long term, the result of which is effective cooperation in delivering common European goals, even in the field of defence and security." He further noted that this cooperation was exemplified by the deployment of SVK service members and military policemen on Op EUNAVFOR MED Sophia in the Mediterranean.
Head of the MOD continued: "I believe that thanks to our country's active membership and involvement, and not just in the field of international crisis management, we are building a good name for Slovakia, which might be appreciated by our foreign partners, including the Federal Republic of Germany."
During the meeting with German Ambassador J. Bleicker, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď outlined the MOD priorities, including the military equipment modernisation goals. He also updated him on the Armed Forces' activities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, they discussed how the pandemic will affect the defence budgets of both States. Minister Naď assured Ambassador Bleicker that Slovakia sees to it that its international commitments, arising from its EU and NATO membership, are followed through on, including the stability and predictability of defence spending with the ambition to achieve 2% of GDP on defence until 2024.
During the discussion, Minister Naď said: "By joining EU and NATO structures, we committed to a clear foreign policy orientation. It is, therefore, natural that in this particular area we are strengthening our relations with our partners, while concurrently seeking to contribute solutions to common issues, including the development of cooperation with its leaders. Relations with Germany have been at a high level as standard and in the long term, the result of which is effective cooperation in delivering common European goals, even in the field of defence and security." He further noted that this cooperation was exemplified by the deployment of SVK service members and military policemen on Op EUNAVFOR MED Sophia in the Mediterranean.
Head of the MOD continued: "I believe that thanks to our country's active membership and involvement, and not just in the field of international crisis management, we are building a good name for Slovakia, which might be appreciated by our foreign partners, including the Federal Republic of Germany."
During the meeting with German Ambassador J. Bleicker, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď outlined the MOD priorities, including the military equipment modernisation goals. He also updated him on the Armed Forces' activities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, they discussed how the pandemic will affect the defence budgets of both States. Minister Naď assured Ambassador Bleicker that Slovakia sees to it that its international commitments, arising from its EU and NATO membership, are followed through on, including the stability and predictability of defence spending with the ambition to achieve 2% of GDP on defence until 2024.
