Sereď-based soldiers commemorate 30th anniversary of UNPROFOR – Slovakia's first operational deployment abroad
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- Date: 02.05.2023
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Military personnel of 91 Engineer Regiment Sereď today stood in formation during a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the SVK operational deployment to the former Yugoslavia in support of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) on 1 May 1993. This was the historically first deployment of SVK forces after the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic. Ever since then, thousands of SVK military personnel have rotated in and out of dozens of peace support operations (PSOs).
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko, representatives of the UN - VETERAN SLOVAKIA Association, and veterans.
Speaking in front of the gathered audience, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “It was right here exactly 30 years ago that one of the most important chapters of Slovak military history in the era of the independent Slovak Republic began to be written down: our contribution to peace and security in the world with our involvement in international crisis management operations. Thanks to serving tours of duty with UNPROFOR, and, later, UNTAES, Slovak military engineers earned the respect of our international partners and local communities. For the young Slovak Republic, theirs was breakthrough work – they represented our country internationally and were a source of pride on home soil.”
To mark the occasion, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko presented commemorative medals and crosses to the military personnel who formed the core of the first rotation of SVK forces assigned to Slovakia's first peace mission. “It was you who began to write a new chapter of Slovak military history and Slovak history through your professional work, human greatness, and dedication to our country,” Minister Naď said emphatically.
Afterwards at the UN Peace Forces Memorial ceremony, the top Defence officials along with soldiers and veterans paid tribute to the men and women of the Slovak Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty abroad.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko, representatives of the UN - VETERAN SLOVAKIA Association, and veterans.
Speaking in front of the gathered audience, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “It was right here exactly 30 years ago that one of the most important chapters of Slovak military history in the era of the independent Slovak Republic began to be written down: our contribution to peace and security in the world with our involvement in international crisis management operations. Thanks to serving tours of duty with UNPROFOR, and, later, UNTAES, Slovak military engineers earned the respect of our international partners and local communities. For the young Slovak Republic, theirs was breakthrough work – they represented our country internationally and were a source of pride on home soil.”
To mark the occasion, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko presented commemorative medals and crosses to the military personnel who formed the core of the first rotation of SVK forces assigned to Slovakia's first peace mission. “It was you who began to write a new chapter of Slovak military history and Slovak history through your professional work, human greatness, and dedication to our country,” Minister Naď said emphatically.
Afterwards at the UN Peace Forces Memorial ceremony, the top Defence officials along with soldiers and veterans paid tribute to the men and women of the Slovak Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty abroad.
