Slovak and Greek Defence Ministries sign Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in support of Defence
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- Date: 09.05.2023
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State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Defence Marian Majer along with representatives of the SVK defence industry visited the Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) 2023. This provided an opportunity for State Secretary Marian Majer and Greek Deputy Minister of National Defence Nicholas G. Hardalias to meet and discuss their two nations' defence engagement, the situation in Ukraine, and security and defence collaboration within the EU and NATO.
During the meeting, the State Secretary thanked his Greek counterpart for the GRC MOD's close cooperation in drafting the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in support of Defence. Work on the MOC was originally initiated by Slovakia.
In a statement, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “As EU and NATO members, we share the same values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. And we also share the same views on a wide range of issues and opportunities to further deepen our cooperation in the field of defence and between the defence industries. I believe our relationship will gain its strength from this MOC and, therefore, this is the right step forward on the path to boosting our ties even further.”
They both acknowledged that the establishment of the Slovak Non-Resident Defence Attaché Office to Greece, set up in Athens in September 2022, will support this aim.
At the meeting, State Secretary Majer appreciated SVK-GRC defence cooperation so far, especially in the field of military exercises, training and education. On this note, he highlighted the recent SVK deployment to Greece for Ex Iniochos 2023. He also confirmed Slovakia's interest in an exchange of experience of each country's F-16 pilot training through to F-16 operations. Deputy Minister Hardalias expressed Greece's interest in Slovakia's defence procurement programmes.
During the meeting, the State Secretary thanked his Greek counterpart for the GRC MOD's close cooperation in drafting the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in support of Defence. Work on the MOC was originally initiated by Slovakia.
In a statement, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “As EU and NATO members, we share the same values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. And we also share the same views on a wide range of issues and opportunities to further deepen our cooperation in the field of defence and between the defence industries. I believe our relationship will gain its strength from this MOC and, therefore, this is the right step forward on the path to boosting our ties even further.”
They both acknowledged that the establishment of the Slovak Non-Resident Defence Attaché Office to Greece, set up in Athens in September 2022, will support this aim.
At the meeting, State Secretary Majer appreciated SVK-GRC defence cooperation so far, especially in the field of military exercises, training and education. On this note, he highlighted the recent SVK deployment to Greece for Ex Iniochos 2023. He also confirmed Slovakia's interest in an exchange of experience of each country's F-16 pilot training through to F-16 operations. Deputy Minister Hardalias expressed Greece's interest in Slovakia's defence procurement programmes.
