P. Gajdoš: We are considering increasing our troop levels in Resolute Support as initially mandated and extending funding for Afghanistan

Slovakia is considering increasing its troop levels in the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan as initially mandated, and is preparing a decision on extending funding for the Afghan National Army. It will make a binding statement on these commitments at the July NATO Summit of Heads of State. This announcement was made by Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš after today’s meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels.

On funding Afghanistan’s Security Forces, SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Slovakia has contributed to the Allianceʼs efforts to stabilise Afghanistan in the long run, and we perceive the need to fill our existing vacancies in the Resolute Support Mission." He continued: “We also understand the need to continue funding the Afghan National Army even beyond 2020. The decision to extend funding for Afghanistan will be taken at the NATO July Summit in Brussels.”

In the margins of the NATO Defence Ministerial, V4 Defence Ministers signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Stand-up of the V4 Joint Logistics Support Group Headquarters. “The Joint Logistics Support Group Headquarters along with its embedded units will be the V4ʼs first permanent structure to be performing tasks for NATO needs,” said Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš, adding that a total of 28 SVK personnel will be posted to the HQ.