Finnish Defence Minister Kaikkonen to visit Slovakia

Minister of Defence Jaroslav Naď will welcome Minister of Defence of the Republic of Finland Antti Kaikkonen to the Ministry of Defence in Bratislava on Tuesday 30 August 2022. He is due to arrive for an official visit to Slovakia, the programme of which comprises talks on the current security situation and bilateral collaboration with respect to advancing the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces.

Jaroslav Naď said: “Our countriesʼ values are the same, as are our clear positions on Russiaʼs aggression against Ukraine. It is the reality of the past half a year that has brought Finland significantly closer to the North Atlantic Alliance. It is heading to its ranks not only de facto, but also de iure, which for me is a genuine cause for joy.”

Mr Naď has confirmed the talks will also address Slovakia's procurement of 76 pieces of the Patria 8×8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) XP through Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangements with Finland. The G2G agreement is now into its final stage.