Slovakia has new Defence Strategy more than 15 years on from previous strategic defence review
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- Date: 27.01.2021
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The parliamentary plenum has passed the SVK Defence Strategy as a fundamental strategic document. More than 15 years on from the 2005 SVK Defence Strategy, Slovakia now has an updated strategic defence review in the field of security and defence, one which fully reflects today's challenges of the ever-changing security landscape. The proposal was supported by 108 MPs out of 120 MPs present in the Parliament. A vote on the adoption of the SVK Security Strategy is scheduled for tomorrow.
Commenting on the new SVK Defence Strategy, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The SVK Government has committed to creating an adequate strategic framework for the provision of State defence. After an exemplary cooperation of all parties involved, I'm very pleased that we've succeeded in fulfilling one of the SVK Government Manifesto commitments, and perhaps even more importantly, in formulating and approving such an important document as the SVK Defence Strategy after so many years.” For this, he gave a special thanks to all those involved in drafting it. “The new SVK Defence Strategy is mainly the outcome of close cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. It recognises Slovakia as having anchored its foreign policy in the Euro-Atlantic region, thereby contributing significantly to strengthening relations with our partners in the field of security and defence, whilst at the same time creating the conditions for delivering joint solutions to current challenges,” he added.
The SVK Defence Strategy was drafted in cooperation with other central government bodies, political representatives and the wider defence community, including academia and local defence industry. All proposed ideas were worked into the final draft document.
In line with the adopted document, the basic goal of SVK defence policy remains to preserve Slovakia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. It reckons with enhancing the quality of State defence management, upgrading the capacities and capabilities of the SVK Armed Forces, and giving the domestic defence industry a greater stake in delivery of defence. In addition, it relies on achieving greater readiness of SVK citizens to deliver State defence and on making sure that there are enough resources for defence and that they are used effectively and transparently.
The SVK Parliament also agreed with the proposal for an uplift of military personnel to support EUFOR Op Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and for setting aside soldiers for the Immediate Reserve Force (IRF). Out of 124 MPs present in the Parliament, 111 MPs voted for the proposal. This comes as the UK Armed Forces have withdrawn their personnel from the operation after Brexit. Consistent with the latest mandate, up to 60 military personnel (the original mandate was for 51 soldiers) can now be deployed in support of EUFOR Op Althea as from 1 February 2021. This will enable SVK military personnel to take command of the Liaison and Observation Team (LOT) in Banja Luka. The SVK Government has also agreed to set aside 160 soldiers for the out-of-country Immediate Reserve Force.
Commenting on the new SVK Defence Strategy, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The SVK Government has committed to creating an adequate strategic framework for the provision of State defence. After an exemplary cooperation of all parties involved, I'm very pleased that we've succeeded in fulfilling one of the SVK Government Manifesto commitments, and perhaps even more importantly, in formulating and approving such an important document as the SVK Defence Strategy after so many years.” For this, he gave a special thanks to all those involved in drafting it. “The new SVK Defence Strategy is mainly the outcome of close cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. It recognises Slovakia as having anchored its foreign policy in the Euro-Atlantic region, thereby contributing significantly to strengthening relations with our partners in the field of security and defence, whilst at the same time creating the conditions for delivering joint solutions to current challenges,” he added.
The SVK Defence Strategy was drafted in cooperation with other central government bodies, political representatives and the wider defence community, including academia and local defence industry. All proposed ideas were worked into the final draft document.
In line with the adopted document, the basic goal of SVK defence policy remains to preserve Slovakia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders. It reckons with enhancing the quality of State defence management, upgrading the capacities and capabilities of the SVK Armed Forces, and giving the domestic defence industry a greater stake in delivery of defence. In addition, it relies on achieving greater readiness of SVK citizens to deliver State defence and on making sure that there are enough resources for defence and that they are used effectively and transparently.
The SVK Parliament also agreed with the proposal for an uplift of military personnel to support EUFOR Op Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and for setting aside soldiers for the Immediate Reserve Force (IRF). Out of 124 MPs present in the Parliament, 111 MPs voted for the proposal. This comes as the UK Armed Forces have withdrawn their personnel from the operation after Brexit. Consistent with the latest mandate, up to 60 military personnel (the original mandate was for 51 soldiers) can now be deployed in support of EUFOR Op Althea as from 1 February 2021. This will enable SVK military personnel to take command of the Liaison and Observation Team (LOT) in Banja Luka. The SVK Government has also agreed to set aside 160 soldiers for the out-of-country Immediate Reserve Force.
