Minister Naď meets Austrian Ambassador M. Bruck-Friedrich

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď welcomed the Austrian Ambassador to Slovakia, Her Excellency Mrs Margit Bruck-Friedrich, to the Ministry of Defence today (26 May 2020). During his first meeting with the Ambassador, he introduced the MOD's priorities in the sphere of defence and security. They consulted on ways to develop cooperation, whether it be at the bilateral level, the regional level or as part of the EU. Mr Naď and Mrs Bruck-Friedrich also paid close attention to the developing COVID-19 situation and the international response to the pandemic. On her visit to the Department, the Ambassador was accompanied by the AUT Defence Attaché accredited to the Slovak Republic, Col Karl Fitsch.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The regional character of the SVK-AUT relationship creates an outstanding opportunity for further advancing the cooperation between both countries, not excluding the field of defence and security.” On the areas of cooperation, the Minister acknowledged the education and training activities by members of both Armed Forces as well as their regular participation in Ex Toxic Valley, an international Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training activity. He also underscored the collaboration between the SVK and AUT MODs on the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC), which has, in the long run, been at a high level.

As well as introducing the MOD's priorities, Minister Naď informed Ambassador Bruck-Friedrich about the MOD leadership's principles and actions as they follow through with the defence procurement and infrastructure development goals. Subsequently, they addressed the presence of SVK Armed Forces members in international crisis management missions and operations, with focus on the Western Balkan region, and the measures both MODs have taken in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meeting, Minister Naď also provided an update on the preparations for the new SVK Security and Defence Strategy.