V4 DPDs Meeting
Press release from the V4 Defence Policy Directors Meeting – 6 September 2022
On 6 September 2022, the Slovak V4 Presidency held a meeting of the V4 Defence Policy Directors in Modra, Slovak Republic. In accordance with the traditional format of the V4 cooperation in the area of defence, the meeting was composed of two working sessions. As this was the first policy level meeting under the Slovak V4 Presidency, the Slovak Defence Policy Director, Mr. Martin SKLENÁR, opened the meeting by introducing the priorities of the Presidency as noted by the Slovak Government on 28 June 2022.
The first session was focused on the defence cooperation within the V4 format. Defence Policy Directors discussed the preparation of core documents of V4 cooperation: an update of both the „Action Plan of the Visegrad Group Cooperation in the Area of Defence“ and „The Ministerial Tasking“. As for the former document, the updated version will be submitted to the V4 Defence Ministers at their upcoming meeting at the end of September. The Defence Ministers will note the update of the Action Plan and provide strategic guidance. The aim of the Ministerial Tasking is to define specific tasks for the working bodies of the V4 Defence Cooperation: The Senior Body, which is composed of State Secretaries of the Ministries of Defence, the Defence Policy Directors, Chiefs of Defence Staff and National Armaments Directors and other working bodies if required. The Defence Policy Directors commenced the preparation by sharing their first views on the content of this document.
The Defence Policy Directors signed the „V4 Defence Cooperation Mechanism“, which was prepared and approved under the lead of the preceding Hungarian V4 Presidency. This document sets out processes and responsibilities of the working bodies of the V4 cooperation.
The second session of the meeting focused on coordination of efforts and positions within multilateral formats, namely NATO and the EU. In terms of NATO, the question of implementation of the new deterrence and defence posture of the Alliance played a key role within the discussion. V4 Defence Policy Directors put emphasis on proper implementation of the NATO’s Forward Defence as one of the main deliverables of the recent NATO Madrid Summit. Defence Policy Directors also put emphasis on the need for good coordination of NATO defence and operational planning.
Concerning EU topics, Defence Policy Directors discussed the positions of their respective countries towards the future prospects of the EUFOR ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All of the partners confirmed their preference for the extension of the mission mandate by the United Nations Security Council.
Finally, the V4 Defence Policy Directors discussed potential avenues for additional assistance to Ukraine. In terms of EU initiatives, the main point of discussion was the CSDP military assistance mission for Ukraine and the use of the European Peace Facility. In regards to NATO initiatives, Defence Policy Directors highlighted potential for more non-lethal aid through relevant NATO Trust Funds. While all of the V4 countries support Ukraine bilaterally and via EU and other multilateral formats, the Defence Policy Directors expressed their willingness to explore avenues to further assist Ukraine in the V4 format, especially if further initiatives with real added value, such as demining and EOD activities or training in this aspect, can be identified.
The first session was focused on the defence cooperation within the V4 format. Defence Policy Directors discussed the preparation of core documents of V4 cooperation: an update of both the „Action Plan of the Visegrad Group Cooperation in the Area of Defence“ and „The Ministerial Tasking“. As for the former document, the updated version will be submitted to the V4 Defence Ministers at their upcoming meeting at the end of September. The Defence Ministers will note the update of the Action Plan and provide strategic guidance. The aim of the Ministerial Tasking is to define specific tasks for the working bodies of the V4 Defence Cooperation: The Senior Body, which is composed of State Secretaries of the Ministries of Defence, the Defence Policy Directors, Chiefs of Defence Staff and National Armaments Directors and other working bodies if required. The Defence Policy Directors commenced the preparation by sharing their first views on the content of this document.
The Defence Policy Directors signed the „V4 Defence Cooperation Mechanism“, which was prepared and approved under the lead of the preceding Hungarian V4 Presidency. This document sets out processes and responsibilities of the working bodies of the V4 cooperation.
The second session of the meeting focused on coordination of efforts and positions within multilateral formats, namely NATO and the EU. In terms of NATO, the question of implementation of the new deterrence and defence posture of the Alliance played a key role within the discussion. V4 Defence Policy Directors put emphasis on proper implementation of the NATO’s Forward Defence as one of the main deliverables of the recent NATO Madrid Summit. Defence Policy Directors also put emphasis on the need for good coordination of NATO defence and operational planning.
Concerning EU topics, Defence Policy Directors discussed the positions of their respective countries towards the future prospects of the EUFOR ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. All of the partners confirmed their preference for the extension of the mission mandate by the United Nations Security Council.
Finally, the V4 Defence Policy Directors discussed potential avenues for additional assistance to Ukraine. In terms of EU initiatives, the main point of discussion was the CSDP military assistance mission for Ukraine and the use of the European Peace Facility. In regards to NATO initiatives, Defence Policy Directors highlighted potential for more non-lethal aid through relevant NATO Trust Funds. While all of the V4 countries support Ukraine bilaterally and via EU and other multilateral formats, the Defence Policy Directors expressed their willingness to explore avenues to further assist Ukraine in the V4 format, especially if further initiatives with real added value, such as demining and EOD activities or training in this aspect, can be identified.
