Military policemen depart to protect EU's southern border
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- Date: 03.08.2017
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Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš visited the Military Police Training and Cynology Department Vlkanová to attend a predeployment ceremony for the MP personnel deploying on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia. In his remarks, he reiterated the significance of the Slovak Republic's contribution to the collective defence and protection of the EU's southern border. The first 10 MP members departed for the Mediterranean Sea crisis regions on Saturday (5 August).
On EU security and defence, the Minister said: “The deployment of the first Slovak personnel on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean is our clear answer that testifies to the fact that the security and defence of the European Union definitely concern us and influence our country as well.” He added that the MOD is, for the first time in its history, deploying its personnel on a maritime operation, and reminded that our participation in ENFM Op Sophia had already been announced during the SVK Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2016. The Slovak Republic is the 25th country to join the operation.
Speaking at the predeployment ceremony, Military Police Director Col Michal Migát said: “Our soldiers are deploying for the first six-month rotation. Preparations for the deployment took over 1 year.” He went on to remind that the personnel will operate in an environment we don't have in Slovakia. MSgt Ladislav Kováč, the SVK Boarding Team Commander, admitted that this is a new challenge for him and his colleagues.
The military policemen, who make up two 5-member boarding teams, will be serving in the role of a visit, board, search, and seizure(VBSS)team on a German Navy ship. They will contribute to cutting back on human smuggling from the African countries to Europe and the spread of global terrorism.
In addition to undergoing training at home, the members of the SVK Military Police were trained in Germany. They will return from the Mediterranean at the end of January 2018, only to be replaced by another troop rotation.
On EU security and defence, the Minister said: “The deployment of the first Slovak personnel on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean is our clear answer that testifies to the fact that the security and defence of the European Union definitely concern us and influence our country as well.” He added that the MOD is, for the first time in its history, deploying its personnel on a maritime operation, and reminded that our participation in ENFM Op Sophia had already been announced during the SVK Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2016. The Slovak Republic is the 25th country to join the operation.
Speaking at the predeployment ceremony, Military Police Director Col Michal Migát said: “Our soldiers are deploying for the first six-month rotation. Preparations for the deployment took over 1 year.” He went on to remind that the personnel will operate in an environment we don't have in Slovakia. MSgt Ladislav Kováč, the SVK Boarding Team Commander, admitted that this is a new challenge for him and his colleagues.
The military policemen, who make up two 5-member boarding teams, will be serving in the role of a visit, board, search, and seizure(VBSS)team on a German Navy ship. They will contribute to cutting back on human smuggling from the African countries to Europe and the spread of global terrorism.
In addition to undergoing training at home, the members of the SVK Military Police were trained in Germany. They will return from the Mediterranean at the end of January 2018, only to be replaced by another troop rotation.
