State Secretary M. Majer holds talks with Permanent Secretary of Finnish Ministry of Defence J. Juusti
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 20.08.2020
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
On his foreign visit to the Republic of Finland, State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of Defence Marian Majer today held talks with Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Defence Jukka Juusti. At the meeting, they addressed ways of enhancing the bilateral relationship between both countries, not to mention the support for defence industry cooperation. As part of their conversation, State Secretary Majer presented the SVK MOD's security and defence priorities to his Finnish counterpart and underpinned the importance of Slovakia's active membership in the EU and NATO. On defence projects, the two leaders used the occasion to reflect on the Vydra 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme. State Secretary Majer also received a tour of Patria Land Systems.
Speaking at the meeting, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “The MOD's position on issues related to purchases and procurement is clear – each project, each procurement must be based on the principles of purposefulness, transparency and cost-effectiveness. Of course, this applies to the modernisation of our Armed Forces, including the purchases of new combat vehicles.” On the 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme, he pointed out that the MOD aims to invest in meaningful projects which must take account of their price, value for our NATO commitments, compatibility with the needs of the SVK Armed Forces, and the SVK defence industry's role in them. “For us, these are our guiding criteria based on which we will take a decision, even in the case of this project,” he added.
State Secretary Majer underpinned the fact that the positions of both countries on foreign policy issues are identical in many respects, which allows for a strengthening and deepening of the SVK-FIN engagement, even in the politico-military area. He appreciated the discussion on the reform and capacity-building of the Finnish Armed Forces.
Topics of discussion included the deployments of SVK service personnel on EU and NATO missions and operations and Slovakia's participation in the Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki. State Secretary Majer updated Permanent Secretary Juusti on work underway on the new strategic documents – the SVK Defence Strategy and the SVK Security Strategy, as well as on Slovakia's progress in delivering its international security and defence commitments.
Speaking at the meeting, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “The MOD's position on issues related to purchases and procurement is clear – each project, each procurement must be based on the principles of purposefulness, transparency and cost-effectiveness. Of course, this applies to the modernisation of our Armed Forces, including the purchases of new combat vehicles.” On the 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Programme, he pointed out that the MOD aims to invest in meaningful projects which must take account of their price, value for our NATO commitments, compatibility with the needs of the SVK Armed Forces, and the SVK defence industry's role in them. “For us, these are our guiding criteria based on which we will take a decision, even in the case of this project,” he added.
State Secretary Majer underpinned the fact that the positions of both countries on foreign policy issues are identical in many respects, which allows for a strengthening and deepening of the SVK-FIN engagement, even in the politico-military area. He appreciated the discussion on the reform and capacity-building of the Finnish Armed Forces.
Topics of discussion included the deployments of SVK service personnel on EU and NATO missions and operations and Slovakia's participation in the Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki. State Secretary Majer updated Permanent Secretary Juusti on work underway on the new strategic documents – the SVK Defence Strategy and the SVK Security Strategy, as well as on Slovakia's progress in delivering its international security and defence commitments.
