Minister Naď: The Visegrad Group has once again demonstrated it is a resilient organism which is important even in the area of defence cooperation
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- Date: 27.09.2022
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Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď hosted his counterparts from the Visegrad Group for the V4 Defence Ministers Meeting in Banská Štiavnica, to discuss the V4's assistance to Ukraine, defence cooperation, disruptive actions by hybrid warfare actors, and security challenges in the Western Balkans and other regions.
Speaking at a press conference at Banská Štiavnica City Council, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The Visegrad Group has once again demonstrated that even today it is a resilient organism which is very important in a number of different areas – not just for the whole of Central Europe, but also for the EU and NATO."
The central theme of the meeting was the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which, according to him, is in the interests of all V4 countries. On this subject, Minister Naď emphasised: “We all know who the aggressor is, we all know who the victim is. We all want peace to return to Ukraine as soon as possible. That is why we are seeking joint solutions to help Ukraine.” As examples of assistance to Ukraine, he pointed to the medical treatment and training of Ukrainian service personnel and the repairs of Ukrainian vehicles and equipment.
In her statement, Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová said: “If we stop looking for things that separate us, and, instead, look for things that unite us, the V4 can be a functioning forum. Our shared past predestines us to be able to communicate together even today.” Minister Černochová highlighted the V4's initiative to work together on demining Ukrainian territory.
Tuesday's talks in Banská Štiavnica were also focused on a further strengthening of cooperation between defence industry companies, an intensification of joint training and exercises, and the extended V4-plus dialogue with partner countries such as the USA, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea. As Slovakia holds the V4 Presidency till 30 June 2023, also addressed was defence cooperation between the V4 countries. That was mainly about preparations for the EU V4 Battlegroup (EU V4 BG) to be on standby in the first half of 2023, Minister Naď clarified.
On the EU V4 BG, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky confirmed his country's contribution to the battlegroup. On the war in Ukraine, he emphasised the positon of Hungary which is against the Russian aggression and considers the defence of Ukraine's territorial integrity as important. In addition, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed to the need to minimise the risk of escalation in the Ukraine war and its spillover into other countries.
Polish Deputy National Defence Minister Marcin Ociepa stressed the need to deepen defence engagements between the V4 countries and to counter the hybrid threats from the Russian actors in the Central European region. “We need to hear the V4ʼs unity and strong voice more often, more now than any time before. Whilst doing so, we are demonstrating our common interest in the security of our region,” Deputy Minister Ociepa concluded.
Speaking at a press conference at Banská Štiavnica City Council, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The Visegrad Group has once again demonstrated that even today it is a resilient organism which is very important in a number of different areas – not just for the whole of Central Europe, but also for the EU and NATO."
The central theme of the meeting was the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which, according to him, is in the interests of all V4 countries. On this subject, Minister Naď emphasised: “We all know who the aggressor is, we all know who the victim is. We all want peace to return to Ukraine as soon as possible. That is why we are seeking joint solutions to help Ukraine.” As examples of assistance to Ukraine, he pointed to the medical treatment and training of Ukrainian service personnel and the repairs of Ukrainian vehicles and equipment.
In her statement, Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová said: “If we stop looking for things that separate us, and, instead, look for things that unite us, the V4 can be a functioning forum. Our shared past predestines us to be able to communicate together even today.” Minister Černochová highlighted the V4's initiative to work together on demining Ukrainian territory.
Tuesday's talks in Banská Štiavnica were also focused on a further strengthening of cooperation between defence industry companies, an intensification of joint training and exercises, and the extended V4-plus dialogue with partner countries such as the USA, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea. As Slovakia holds the V4 Presidency till 30 June 2023, also addressed was defence cooperation between the V4 countries. That was mainly about preparations for the EU V4 Battlegroup (EU V4 BG) to be on standby in the first half of 2023, Minister Naď clarified.
On the EU V4 BG, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky confirmed his country's contribution to the battlegroup. On the war in Ukraine, he emphasised the positon of Hungary which is against the Russian aggression and considers the defence of Ukraine's territorial integrity as important. In addition, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed to the need to minimise the risk of escalation in the Ukraine war and its spillover into other countries.
Polish Deputy National Defence Minister Marcin Ociepa stressed the need to deepen defence engagements between the V4 countries and to counter the hybrid threats from the Russian actors in the Central European region. “We need to hear the V4ʼs unity and strong voice more often, more now than any time before. Whilst doing so, we are demonstrating our common interest in the security of our region,” Deputy Minister Ociepa concluded.
