Gen Daniel Zmeko reconfirmed as head of the Slovak Armed Forces in a first extension of his tenure

The four-year tenure of Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Daniel Zmeko will have passed by the end of this week. Therefore, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď recommended his reappointment to the Slovak government. Today (4 May 2022), Slovak President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Zuzana Čaputová has reappointed Gen Daniel Zmeko as Chief of the Defence Staff in a first extension of his tenure during a promotion ceremony at the Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava.

Still today, another three senior ranking officials have received certificates of promotion from the president. Col Martin Remeš has been promoted to the most junior general officer rank of Brigadier General, while Brig Gen Peter Babiar and Brig Gen Róbert Tóth have been promoted to the rank of Major General. Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer attended the promotion ceremony in person to congratulate the generals on their well-deserved promotion and reappointment.

Speaking in appreciation of Gen Daniel Zmeko's service to the country, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Years- and crisis-proven expert Gen Daniel Zmeko is in the right role and Iʼm pleased he will be here with us serving his second tenure. As head of the Slovak Armed Forces, he is a great mainstay with all the authority and zeal of the one who is fully committed to the security of the Slovak Republic and its citizens. Personally speaking, I value his humanness, moral principles, and constructive approach to addressing challenges.” Minister Naď wished Gen Zmeko a lot of strength and the best of luck with decisions. “I am now looking forward to working further with Gen Zmeko as we continue our very intense and effective cooperation,” he added.

In his remarks, Gen Daniel Zmeko thanked for the trust vested in him, saying: “I consider my reappointment as Chief of the Defence Staff, the announcement of the new general and the promotion of the other two generals as a recognition of work the entire Slovak Armed Forces have been carrying out over the past years.”

On promotion to Lieutenant General, Daniel Zmeko took over as Chief of the Defence Staff on 7 May 2018.

In his 36 years of service in the Slovak Armed Forces, he has served in a variety of command and staff appointments, ranging from platoon to brigade, from Headquarters Slovak Army to the Slovak Defence Staff, including as Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff HQ Slovak Army and as Commander Operations Control Centre and Deputy Commander SVK Army at the Defence Staff. He has also gained experience from international crisis management, including as a contingent commander.