SVK troops to remain in Baltics longer, their mandate is extended by Parliament
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- Date: 04.06.2020
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The SVK armed forces deployed on NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in the Baltics were given a mandate extension by the SVK Parliament today (4 June 2020). 110 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for the proposal. This means more votes were counted than are required for a Constitutional bill to be passed.
A total of 152 SVK service members will remain deployed on Ādaži Training Area (ATA) in the Republic of Latvia for 6 months longer until 15 December 2020. This is because pre-deployment training has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 situation and hence the rotation of troops cannot take place as planned until 30 June 2020.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: "I am grateful to MPs for their impressive support for the proposal. This is a clear message that Slovakia knows who its Partners and Allies on security and defence are." At the same time, he expressed hope that the decision will be received by the soldiers' families with understanding. "Naturally, we understand that a difference of 6 months is a long period when it comes to keeping contact with close ones. Nevertheless, situations like this are part and parcel of the demanding military profession. They have my full support," he added, noting that he will make sure that the soldiers have adequate Service conditions abroad.
The approved document contains a proposal to deploy up to 152 SVK Armed Forces members from 15 December 2020 well until the end of eFP. The structure of the SVK contribution to eFP will be changed too. Namely, the Mechanised Company will be replaced by a Task Force (TF), comprising a contribution to the eFP BG HQ LVA and reconnaissance capabilities, while direct and indirect fire support elements will be reinforced.
A total of 152 SVK service members will remain deployed on Ādaži Training Area (ATA) in the Republic of Latvia for 6 months longer until 15 December 2020. This is because pre-deployment training has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 situation and hence the rotation of troops cannot take place as planned until 30 June 2020.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: "I am grateful to MPs for their impressive support for the proposal. This is a clear message that Slovakia knows who its Partners and Allies on security and defence are." At the same time, he expressed hope that the decision will be received by the soldiers' families with understanding. "Naturally, we understand that a difference of 6 months is a long period when it comes to keeping contact with close ones. Nevertheless, situations like this are part and parcel of the demanding military profession. They have my full support," he added, noting that he will make sure that the soldiers have adequate Service conditions abroad.
The approved document contains a proposal to deploy up to 152 SVK Armed Forces members from 15 December 2020 well until the end of eFP. The structure of the SVK contribution to eFP will be changed too. Namely, the Mechanised Company will be replaced by a Task Force (TF), comprising a contribution to the eFP BG HQ LVA and reconnaissance capabilities, while direct and indirect fire support elements will be reinforced.
