P. Gajdoš: Over the past 15 years we have demonstrated that Slovak Republic is an active NATO member and fully contributes to international security
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- Date: 29.03.2019
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MOD employees and Service personnel, joined by members of the Military Diplomatic Corps, gathered in front of the Ministry of Defence Main Building for a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of the Slovak Republic’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance today (29 March 2019). In his speech, Minister Gajdoš underlined our country’s active and respected membership in the Alliance and thanked Service personnel and civilian employees for working to high standards and representing the Slovak Republic abroad.
Speaking at the ceremony marking Slovakia’s 15 years of NATO membership, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Slovakia has been part of the North Atlantic Alliance for 15 years already. Over the period, we have demonstrated that we are not only a consumer of the benefits which derive from NATO membership but, on the contrary, that we are an active member. In compliance with the modernization programmes, we are placing emphasis on the relevant skillsets of our service personnel, and we are expending maximum effort to guarantee them a status commensurate with that in any other NATO country.” He went on to add that the Slovak Republic is also doing its utmost to undertake the commitments of NATO membership. “Apart from the modernization programmes, the emphasis on the skillsets and readiness of our soldiers and the security guarantees for our citizens, the commitment to increasing our expenditure up to 2% of GDP on defence is of great importance as well. Personally speaking, I am very pleased that we have found consensus and we will meet the 2% benchmark by 2022, two years earlier than we declared at the NATO Summit,” he said.
SVK Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “From my point of view, the Armed Forces have been contributing to NATO’s joint efforts towards collective security for the past 15 years already. Slovak service personnel have demonstrated their professionalism on all operations and joint exercises.”
Head of the MOD along with other MOD and Armed Forces leaders then paid their respects to the Service members who died in the line of duty abroad during ceremonies at the MOD Hall of Fame and at the MOD Reconciliation Memorial.
Speaking at the ceremony marking Slovakia’s 15 years of NATO membership, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Slovakia has been part of the North Atlantic Alliance for 15 years already. Over the period, we have demonstrated that we are not only a consumer of the benefits which derive from NATO membership but, on the contrary, that we are an active member. In compliance with the modernization programmes, we are placing emphasis on the relevant skillsets of our service personnel, and we are expending maximum effort to guarantee them a status commensurate with that in any other NATO country.” He went on to add that the Slovak Republic is also doing its utmost to undertake the commitments of NATO membership. “Apart from the modernization programmes, the emphasis on the skillsets and readiness of our soldiers and the security guarantees for our citizens, the commitment to increasing our expenditure up to 2% of GDP on defence is of great importance as well. Personally speaking, I am very pleased that we have found consensus and we will meet the 2% benchmark by 2022, two years earlier than we declared at the NATO Summit,” he said.
SVK Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “From my point of view, the Armed Forces have been contributing to NATO’s joint efforts towards collective security for the past 15 years already. Slovak service personnel have demonstrated their professionalism on all operations and joint exercises.”
Head of the MOD along with other MOD and Armed Forces leaders then paid their respects to the Service members who died in the line of duty abroad during ceremonies at the MOD Hall of Fame and at the MOD Reconciliation Memorial.
