Slovakia takes over V4 Presidency – regional ties are an important pillar of our security architecture

Slovakia has today taken over its 6th rotating Presidency of the Visegrád Group (SVK V4 PRES) from Hungary at a time when Europe is facing a broad set of challenges to our security and unity, while still ensuring that regional ties with our neighbours and partners are an important pillar of our security architecture.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “During the SVK V4 PRES, we will concentrate on strengthening defence cooperation with our traditional V4 partners. In doing so, naturally we will be closely aligned with the now successfully established direction of our mutual defence cooperation. Therefore, our main defence priorities are reflective of and shaped by the situational developments in Ukraine as they occur due to Russiaʼs unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion.”

During Slovakia's year-long Presidency of the Visegrád Group, the Ministry of Defence will work towards delivering its main priorities. These include assistance packages to Ukraine, the V4 flagship projects – the V4 EU Battlegroup (due to be on stand-by in the first half of 2023) and the Joint Logistics Support Group Headquarters (JLSG HQ), as well as enhancing interoperability between armed forces and developing military mobility-linked infrastructure.

The Slovak V4 Presidency is also structured around other priority themes: capabilities building, constructive solutions to joint defence capabilities research, development and procurement, closer cooperation of V4 defence industries and companies, including making best use of joint EU and NATO R&D and procurement initiatives.

Under the SVK V4 Presidency, renewed emphasis will be placed on the coordination of national positions on current EU and NATO affairs and activities. In addition, the SVK presidency will continue to promote dialogue and cooperation in the V4+formats. Particularly of note is the V4+Ukraine format, where we seek to forge closer defence ties.

For the full SVK V4 PRES Programme of Events and Activities, visit the MOD's official website.

Slovakia now holds the V4 Presidency until 30 June 2023, when the Czech Republic is set to take over from us.