Slovak Republic to join PESCO, the intention receives go-ahead from Government today
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- Date: 08.11.2017
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The Slovak Republic is interested in participating in the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the field of building defence and military capacities and executing military activities. As proposed by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, this intention was confirmed and received the SVK Government's go-ahead in today's session.
On PESCO, SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “For the Slovak Republic, participating in PESCO represents an opportunity to strengthen its defence capabilities, thereby contributing to the EU's ability to effectively counter current security threats.” As he further explained, our involvement in PESCO obliges us to deliver a gradual uplift in the size of defence capabilities building, to seek greater complementarity and compatibility between the SVK Armed Forces and other partners within the European Union, and to bring our operational engagement in international crisis management activities to a higher level. Head of the MOD added: “Additionally, this means stepping up our cooperation with the armed forces of other participating countries as well as giving opportunities to Slovakia's defence industry manufacturers to play a greater role in the international defence capabilities development projects.”
It follows from the approved document that the MOD will, no later than 30 November 2017, pass on to the SVK Government the so-called “Strategy of National Plan for Implementation of Commitments”, i.e. the commitments that arise for Slovakia out of PESCO. They fully respect Slovakia's national interests as well as existing international obligations. The decision to formally launch PESCO is expected to be made by the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) at its session on 11 December 2017.
On PESCO, SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “For the Slovak Republic, participating in PESCO represents an opportunity to strengthen its defence capabilities, thereby contributing to the EU's ability to effectively counter current security threats.” As he further explained, our involvement in PESCO obliges us to deliver a gradual uplift in the size of defence capabilities building, to seek greater complementarity and compatibility between the SVK Armed Forces and other partners within the European Union, and to bring our operational engagement in international crisis management activities to a higher level. Head of the MOD added: “Additionally, this means stepping up our cooperation with the armed forces of other participating countries as well as giving opportunities to Slovakia's defence industry manufacturers to play a greater role in the international defence capabilities development projects.”
It follows from the approved document that the MOD will, no later than 30 November 2017, pass on to the SVK Government the so-called “Strategy of National Plan for Implementation of Commitments”, i.e. the commitments that arise for Slovakia out of PESCO. They fully respect Slovakia's national interests as well as existing international obligations. The decision to formally launch PESCO is expected to be made by the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) at its session on 11 December 2017.
