NATO Defence Ministers meet to discuss strengthening defence on Alliance's eastern border
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- Date: 16.03.2022
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On Wednesday 16 March 2022, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď took part in a regular NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels. In view of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, NATO Defence Ministers discussed current security issues, including the strengthening of NATO's eastern border and the forms of aid for Ukraine.
Defence Minister Naď began his remarks by praising the steadfast patriotism of the Ukrainian people and their commitment and will to defend their own country and freedom against Russian occupiers. Minister Naď emphasised that Slovakia, along with NATO partners, is a responsible partner for Ukraine, saying: “To a great extent, Slovakia has been involved in efforts to provide Ukraine with aid, with an emphasis on meeting its needs and preventing a possible escalation towards a wider military conflict between NATO and Russia.”
According to the Minister, the Alliance must prepare systematically for longer term tensions with Russia by bolstering NATO's Eastern Flank. “I want to thank all our Allies for supporting the idea of strengthening the Alliance’s Eastern Flank. And I want to extend a special thanks to the Czech Republic for taking on the role of the framework nation for NATO’s multinational enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup to be stood up in the Slovak Republic.”
For their announced participation in forming the battlegroup, the Minister also thanked his partners from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and the United States, adding that the mandate for NATO's troop presence in Slovakia will be purely defensive and will help enhance Slovakia's defences and the readiness of the Slovak Armed Forces to respond to any scenarios.
The head of the SVK MOD pointed to the long-term effects of Russia's massive propaganda and hybrid activities across SVK territory. “Earlier this week we decided to expel three so-called Russian diplomats for their espionage activity. This is just the beginning. I am convinced we will succeed in dismantling the espionage and disinformation network along with its affiliated entities which the Russian Embassy has set up in Slovakia,” Minister Naď concluded.
On the margins of the Defence Ministerial, Minister Naď also held bilateral meetings with his German and UK counterparts.
Defence Minister Naď began his remarks by praising the steadfast patriotism of the Ukrainian people and their commitment and will to defend their own country and freedom against Russian occupiers. Minister Naď emphasised that Slovakia, along with NATO partners, is a responsible partner for Ukraine, saying: “To a great extent, Slovakia has been involved in efforts to provide Ukraine with aid, with an emphasis on meeting its needs and preventing a possible escalation towards a wider military conflict between NATO and Russia.”
According to the Minister, the Alliance must prepare systematically for longer term tensions with Russia by bolstering NATO's Eastern Flank. “I want to thank all our Allies for supporting the idea of strengthening the Alliance’s Eastern Flank. And I want to extend a special thanks to the Czech Republic for taking on the role of the framework nation for NATO’s multinational enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup to be stood up in the Slovak Republic.”
For their announced participation in forming the battlegroup, the Minister also thanked his partners from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and the United States, adding that the mandate for NATO's troop presence in Slovakia will be purely defensive and will help enhance Slovakia's defences and the readiness of the Slovak Armed Forces to respond to any scenarios.
The head of the SVK MOD pointed to the long-term effects of Russia's massive propaganda and hybrid activities across SVK territory. “Earlier this week we decided to expel three so-called Russian diplomats for their espionage activity. This is just the beginning. I am convinced we will succeed in dismantling the espionage and disinformation network along with its affiliated entities which the Russian Embassy has set up in Slovakia,” Minister Naď concluded.
On the margins of the Defence Ministerial, Minister Naď also held bilateral meetings with his German and UK counterparts.
