Defence Minister Martin Sklenár at NATO Vilnius Summit: New defence plans will significantly bolster the Alliance's defences
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- Date: 12.07.2023
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On 11-12 July 2023, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár along with Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Wlachovský attended the NATO Vilnius Summit in Lithuania, where crucial decisions were made with far-reaching implications for the future of the Alliance. First and foremost, Alliance leaders approved what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called “the most comprehensive defence plans since the end of the Cold War”, with the focus on countering the two main threats facing the Alliance – Russia and terrorism, as set out in NATO's 2022 Strategic Concept.
In response to the radically changing security environment, Allies agreed to a significant strengthening of collective defence. This mainly concerns the Alliance's ability to react swiftly from the first moment of a crisis, whilst rapidly reinforcing any Ally that comes under threat.
Key from Slovakia's perspective, Allies reaffirmed that they will keep strengthening and enhancing the readiness of the eight NATO Battlegroups on NATO's Eastern Flank. These will be scaled up from the existing battalion-size units to brigade-size units where and when required.
As announced at the summit, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia will be reinforced by a Spanish Armed Forces Contingent. “We are extremely delighted that Spain has decided to strengthen NATOʼs forward presence in Slovakia. This is a confirmation of our Allied partnersʼ determination to defend every inch of Allied territory and of their solidarity with the Eastern Flank countries. Whatʼs more, itʼs clear evidence that we can rely on our Allies,” Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said, welcoming the news.
One of the underlying themes of the two-day gathering in the Lithuanian capital that resonated with Allies was Ukraine's future membership in NATO. To this end, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO fully supports Ukraine and assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the intention to accept Ukraine as a NATO member, saying that “Ukraine will become a member of NATO”.
To bring Ukraine closer to NATO, Mr Stoltenberg introduced a new assistance programme to facilitate Ukraine's transition from Soviet-era doctrines and equipment to NATO standards and a new NATO-Ukraine Council as a forum for consultations and decision-making.
Finally, Allies agreed to simplify Ukraine's path to joining NATO. An invitation to join the Alliance will be extended to Ukraine as and when Allies agree that it has met the conditions for interoperability and democratic and security sector reforms.
Praising the agreement on supporting Sweden's bid to join NATO between the Prime Minister of Sweden and the President of Türkiye, Allies further confirmed that Sweden will soon be accepted as a full-fledged member of the Alliance.
At this week's summit, the Alliance also endorsed a new Defence Production Action Plan. Accordingly, defence industrial capacity will be scaled up so that Allies can always have access to the capabilities they need to perform the Alliance's tasks and to prepare for any eventuality. As a prerequisite, individual member states have committed to allocating a minimum 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually from their national budgets to defence.
In response to the radically changing security environment, Allies agreed to a significant strengthening of collective defence. This mainly concerns the Alliance's ability to react swiftly from the first moment of a crisis, whilst rapidly reinforcing any Ally that comes under threat.
Key from Slovakia's perspective, Allies reaffirmed that they will keep strengthening and enhancing the readiness of the eight NATO Battlegroups on NATO's Eastern Flank. These will be scaled up from the existing battalion-size units to brigade-size units where and when required.
As announced at the summit, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia will be reinforced by a Spanish Armed Forces Contingent. “We are extremely delighted that Spain has decided to strengthen NATOʼs forward presence in Slovakia. This is a confirmation of our Allied partnersʼ determination to defend every inch of Allied territory and of their solidarity with the Eastern Flank countries. Whatʼs more, itʼs clear evidence that we can rely on our Allies,” Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said, welcoming the news.
One of the underlying themes of the two-day gathering in the Lithuanian capital that resonated with Allies was Ukraine's future membership in NATO. To this end, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO fully supports Ukraine and assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the intention to accept Ukraine as a NATO member, saying that “Ukraine will become a member of NATO”.
To bring Ukraine closer to NATO, Mr Stoltenberg introduced a new assistance programme to facilitate Ukraine's transition from Soviet-era doctrines and equipment to NATO standards and a new NATO-Ukraine Council as a forum for consultations and decision-making.
Finally, Allies agreed to simplify Ukraine's path to joining NATO. An invitation to join the Alliance will be extended to Ukraine as and when Allies agree that it has met the conditions for interoperability and democratic and security sector reforms.
Praising the agreement on supporting Sweden's bid to join NATO between the Prime Minister of Sweden and the President of Türkiye, Allies further confirmed that Sweden will soon be accepted as a full-fledged member of the Alliance.
At this week's summit, the Alliance also endorsed a new Defence Production Action Plan. Accordingly, defence industrial capacity will be scaled up so that Allies can always have access to the capabilities they need to perform the Alliance's tasks and to prepare for any eventuality. As a prerequisite, individual member states have committed to allocating a minimum 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually from their national budgets to defence.
