Defence Minister Sklenár in Prague: “With Czechia, we have a lot of common themes, challenges and solutions in the field of defence and security”

In keeping with tradition, Slovak Defence Minister Martin Sklenár made his first trip to Prague for bilateral talks with Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová. Among the key topics discussed were the strengthening of cooperation in the defence domain and between the two nations' defence industries, military assistance to keep Ukraine in its fight against Russia, the priorities and positions to be presented at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, and the ongoing processes across the EU and the NATO Alliance.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Defence Minister Sklenár officially confirmed continuity of Slovakia's defence policy and its positive relationship with the Czech Republic. Mr Sklenár thanked Ms Černochová for Czechia's part in temporarily safeguarding SVK airspace and for the rotational presence of CZE troops in Slovakia, with Czechia leading the way as a framework nation in the NATO Multinational Battlegroup. On this note, they also talked about the concept and elements of deterrence and defence on the Alliance's eastern flank.

Speaking of the high level of collaboration between Slovakia and Czechia, Martin Sklenár said: ”Whilst our Defence and Security cooperation with the Czech Republic has gone well over and above the standard expected of a bilateral partnership in the long run, it is remarkably well developed at several levels – whether be it at the bilateral political and military ones or as part of international structures and regional groups. We have a lot of common themes, challenges and solutions.”

He went on to add that both countries share very similar approaches and goals in advance of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. That's equally true for the SVK and CZE defence firms tasked with scaling up munitions manufacturing for Ukraine's needs and the two nations' replenishment of their own military stocks.

Another part of the discussion was dedicated to the procurement and operation of the CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles as both Slovakia and Czechia are getting the same type of combat vehicles. In addition, the Czech-made subsonic jet trainer aircraft might also be a possible window of opportunity for collaboration.

Both leaders praised the SVK-CZE programme of activities on military training, exercises and education as well as their operational deployments abroad. Finally, Mr Sklenár congratulated Ms Černochová on recently signing the U.S.-CZE Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).