Government approves National Plan for Implementation of Slovak Republic's Participation in EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation

The SVK Government has today approved the 4th National Plan for Implementation of the Slovak Republic's Participation in the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). Based on the Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 on establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the document is annually submitted for the Government's approval.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The National Plan for Implementation of the Slovak Republic's Participation in PESCO is an important document, which evaluates Slovakia's progress in several areas as 20 commitments of this joint initiative are being put into action.” For example, these involve building defence and military capabilities, harmonising defence planning, securing defence investments including in R&D, strengthening availability, interoperability and the ability to deploy armed forces, as well as addressing defence capability niches.

Following the document's approval, the Defence Minister stressed that close interdepartmental collaboration is required for PESCO commitments to be delivered successfully. “Therefore, I am thankful for the engagement and cooperation of our colleagues from the Ministries of Foreign and European Affairs, Education, Transport and Economy. Their coordination is key to Slovakia's further delivery of its international commitments,” he said in appreciation of the interdepartmental efforts.

PESCO means implementing in practice the defence and security aspects of the Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS), while at the same time leading to reinforcing the European pillar of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The SVK Government authorised another document from the Ministry of Defence entitled the Interdepartmental Programme 06E – State Defence Support for 2021-23, which continuously builds on the programme implementation in 2020-22. The aim of the document is to determine a binding procedure and divide funds for the intentions, priorities and goals of State Defence Support development in the field of R&D for the Budgetary Year 2021 with an outlook to 2022-23.