Minister J. Naď visits SVK military personnel serving with UNFICYP, he thanks them for 20-year-long involvement in support of peace and security in Cyprus

To mark 20 years of SVK involvement in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď arrived in Cyprus to thank SVK UNFICYP troops for their dedicated service to peace and security under the umbrella of the United Nations. In light of its scope and duration, UNFICYP is Slovakia's peak of engagement in international crisis management missions and operations.

Speaking about the SVK serving and ex-serving personnel on UN peacekeeping duties in Cyprus, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Our service personnel have safeguarded the peace, security and status quo in the island's buffer zone under the control of the UN peacekeeping forces for the past two decades already. Over the years of their presence, they have proved their qualities – their commitment to the cause and conscientious discharge of duties. This was best recognised in 2018 when the United Nations entrusted us with responsibility for the whole of Sector 4. Therefore, on this round anniversary, my thanks go out to all servicemen and women who have served or are currently serving with UNFICYP.”

The long-term contribution of SVK troops to UNFICYP was highly appreciated by the Mission's Force Commander, Maj Gen Ingrid Gjerde. The Force Commander joined the Defence Minister in presenting the SVK UNFICYP personnel with the UN Medal and a commemorative coin marking the 20th anniversary of SLOVCON in UNFICYP during a medal parade ceremony at Camp Štefánik in Famagusta.

Still today, the head of the MOD paid a visit to members of the UN Patrol Base 104 (PB-104), located in Sector 4 of the buffer zone (known also as the Green Line), where the Hungarian contingent (HUNCON) was stationed at Camp Szent István in the past. Given the fact that only SVK UN peacekeepers operate out of the camp today, the UN PB-104 has been renamed as Camp Pribina.

While at Camp Pribina, Minister Naď spoke with soldiers about their current status, working conditions and needs and was interested in the effects of COVID-19 on their operational duties. He thanked them for promoting Slovakia's good name in the international community and wished them every success and a safe return home.

A total of 238 SVK military personnel, of whom 24 are servicewomen, are currently serving with UNFICYP. This is the 39th rotation of the SVK Armed Forces in Cyprus. Operational tours last 12 months. 3,885 SVK service personnel (213 servicewomen) have rotated in and out of UNFICYP to date.