Defence Minister Sklenár after meeting PM Ódor: Our support to Ukraine absolutely concerns the security and defence of our country
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- Date: 18.05.2023
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Defence Minister Martin Sklenár received Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor at the Ministry of Defence today. The two leaders spoke about topics of high priority in SVK Defence and Security, with the emphasis on ensuring continuity of Slovakia's commitments vis-à-vis our allies in NATO and the EU.
In their conversation, Defence Minister Sklenár and Prime Minister Ódor addressed Slovakia's defence budget, modernisation efforts, and military assistance supplies to Ukraine. “Already today, spending 2% of GDP on defence is seen as a minimum in view of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. During the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, we expect this approach to be confirmed even by our allies,” Minister Sklenár said.
“It is essential to assure the continued delivery of our commitments to our partners in NATO and the EU, to ensure the security of our country and its citizens, and to support war-torn Ukraine. Also, we talked about a long-term guarantee of funding for the Ministry of Defence and the steps required to drive forward the modernisation of the Armed Forces,” PM Ódor said.
The head of the MOD confirmed that the SVK Army's capabilities in support of NATO's collective defence remain the MOD's key area of modernisation. Work with our allies has been underway to get the Slovak Armed Forces equipped with better and more advanced capabilities and ready to face any threats.
Alongside this, the MOD will continue the established trend of upgrading the Defence Estate's infrastructure and sustaining investments into maintenance of military facilities, at least at current levels of funding. This includes upgrading infrastructure at military sites to prepare them for the arrival of new vehicles and aircraft.
Minister Sklenár and PM Ódor are in clear agreement on Slovakia's continuing support to Ukraine. “I really appreciate that, because our support to Ukraine is something which absolutely concerns the security and defence of our country. Slovakia plays a vital role in supporting our eastern neighbour. As has been the case thus far, in addition to training Ukrainian soldiers, we will continue to respond to Ukraine’s requirements for defence support, which involves cooperating with our domestic defence firms,” Minister Sklenár said at the conclusion of his statement.
In their conversation, Defence Minister Sklenár and Prime Minister Ódor addressed Slovakia's defence budget, modernisation efforts, and military assistance supplies to Ukraine. “Already today, spending 2% of GDP on defence is seen as a minimum in view of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. During the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius, we expect this approach to be confirmed even by our allies,” Minister Sklenár said.
“It is essential to assure the continued delivery of our commitments to our partners in NATO and the EU, to ensure the security of our country and its citizens, and to support war-torn Ukraine. Also, we talked about a long-term guarantee of funding for the Ministry of Defence and the steps required to drive forward the modernisation of the Armed Forces,” PM Ódor said.
The head of the MOD confirmed that the SVK Army's capabilities in support of NATO's collective defence remain the MOD's key area of modernisation. Work with our allies has been underway to get the Slovak Armed Forces equipped with better and more advanced capabilities and ready to face any threats.
Alongside this, the MOD will continue the established trend of upgrading the Defence Estate's infrastructure and sustaining investments into maintenance of military facilities, at least at current levels of funding. This includes upgrading infrastructure at military sites to prepare them for the arrival of new vehicles and aircraft.
Minister Sklenár and PM Ódor are in clear agreement on Slovakia's continuing support to Ukraine. “I really appreciate that, because our support to Ukraine is something which absolutely concerns the security and defence of our country. Slovakia plays a vital role in supporting our eastern neighbour. As has been the case thus far, in addition to training Ukrainian soldiers, we will continue to respond to Ukraine’s requirements for defence support, which involves cooperating with our domestic defence firms,” Minister Sklenár said at the conclusion of his statement.
