M. Majer: We must face security challenges together, Slovakia is ready to do its part in addressing them
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- Date: 16.06.2020
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EU Defence Ministers discussed pressing issues pertaining to the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in a video conference call today (16 June 2020). Above all, they paid close attention to strengthening cooperation in the politico-military area, including addressing common security challenges faced by Europe today. On this occasion, State Secretary of the SVK MOD Marian Majer reaffirmed the readiness of the SVK Armed Forces, if required and consistent with the SVK Government-approved mandate, to do their part in taking on the challenges as part of international crisis management. Another part of the discussion was devoted to the progress being made in the implementation of EU defence initiatives and their funding from the EU budget.
State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of Defence said: “We are aware of the need for greater involvement of the Slovak Republic in the activities of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy on the African continent, which is reflected adequately in our planned personnel contributions to the EU Training Missions in Mali and in the Central African Republic as well as in our intent to contribute to Op EUNAVFOR MED Irini.” In his comments, he welcomed the process of building closer interconnectedness between individual defence initiatives and declared Slovakia's interest in committing more personnel to EU missions and operations.
In the past, members of the SVK Military Police Boarding Team were deployed on Op EUNAVFOR MED Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea. Their work was highly praised by our foreign partners. “If their deployment is approved by the SVK Parliament, we are once again ready to strengthen these international teams,” said State Secretary Marian Majer.
The participants also reviewed progress and further options for developing multilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security, including the implementation of the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the settings for the second phase of PESCO. The issue of third States participation in PESCO, which the Slovak Republic has continually supported, remains still open. Close attention was also paid to the return of military personnel to the areas of missions and operations after their temporary withdrawal due to the COVID-19 situation in the countries of their deployment.
The EU Defence Ministers Meeting was preceded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board meeting, which was dominated by future EDA activities.
State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of Defence said: “We are aware of the need for greater involvement of the Slovak Republic in the activities of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy on the African continent, which is reflected adequately in our planned personnel contributions to the EU Training Missions in Mali and in the Central African Republic as well as in our intent to contribute to Op EUNAVFOR MED Irini.” In his comments, he welcomed the process of building closer interconnectedness between individual defence initiatives and declared Slovakia's interest in committing more personnel to EU missions and operations.
In the past, members of the SVK Military Police Boarding Team were deployed on Op EUNAVFOR MED Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea. Their work was highly praised by our foreign partners. “If their deployment is approved by the SVK Parliament, we are once again ready to strengthen these international teams,” said State Secretary Marian Majer.
The participants also reviewed progress and further options for developing multilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security, including the implementation of the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the settings for the second phase of PESCO. The issue of third States participation in PESCO, which the Slovak Republic has continually supported, remains still open. Close attention was also paid to the return of military personnel to the areas of missions and operations after their temporary withdrawal due to the COVID-19 situation in the countries of their deployment.
The EU Defence Ministers Meeting was preceded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board meeting, which was dominated by future EDA activities.
