Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák presents Christmas gifts to SVK soldiers and meets Defence Minister Zukan Helez in his visit to BiH
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- Date: 15.12.2023
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As part of his visits to Slovak troops serving on operations abroad shortly ahead of Christmas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák met with and talked to the SVK military personnel deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of EUFOR Op Althea on Thursday 14 December 2023. In addition to the official programme at Camp Butmir, Sarajevo, Defence Minister Kaliňák also held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez. Symbolically, the visit fell on 14 December – the day the Dayton Agreement was formally signed in 1995, putting an end to the inter-ethnic conflict in the country.
The main reason for visiting the Slovak Contingent (SLOVCON) on Op Althea, which assists with ensuring a safe and secure environment (SASE) in the region, was to thank 52 SVK servicemen and women, stationed in BiH, for their dedicated service. In his remarks at the event, Minister Kaliňák emphasised that the SVK deployment to BiH is a vital task rather than a symbolic mission. “We are a serious partner who is highly rated. I want to thank you all very much for your exemplary work, and I appreciate that you can handle the stress and pressure of the job,” he said.
Minister Kaliňák used this special occasion to gift a PlayStation game console to the soldiers as a Christmas present. As they will be away from their families over Christmas, by far the greatest gift he could give them was bringing the family members of the soldiers to the country – they arrived in BiH along with the SVK MOD delegation aboard the SVK Government's VIP aircraft.
An important part of the Defence Minister's working trip to BiH was the bilateral with Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez at the BiH Ministry of Defence in Sarajevo. The leaders agreed that the bilateral relations between our two countries and governments were very good. “Thanks to a whole raft of positive changes, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been making process in its integration into EU structures, and Slovakia will fully support its integration efforts into the future. Our nations are close to each other, and if we can do more, we will be pleased to do so,” the head of the SVK MOD said.
During the meeting, Defence Minister Zukan Helez thanked Slovakia for being one of the countries that have most actively pressed for support to BiH's integration as part of the country's accession process to the EU. The Ministers also breached the topic of opportunities for defence industrial cooperation between the nations, including on the development of Slovakia's high-calibre artillery systems.
The main reason for visiting the Slovak Contingent (SLOVCON) on Op Althea, which assists with ensuring a safe and secure environment (SASE) in the region, was to thank 52 SVK servicemen and women, stationed in BiH, for their dedicated service. In his remarks at the event, Minister Kaliňák emphasised that the SVK deployment to BiH is a vital task rather than a symbolic mission. “We are a serious partner who is highly rated. I want to thank you all very much for your exemplary work, and I appreciate that you can handle the stress and pressure of the job,” he said.
Minister Kaliňák used this special occasion to gift a PlayStation game console to the soldiers as a Christmas present. As they will be away from their families over Christmas, by far the greatest gift he could give them was bringing the family members of the soldiers to the country – they arrived in BiH along with the SVK MOD delegation aboard the SVK Government's VIP aircraft.
An important part of the Defence Minister's working trip to BiH was the bilateral with Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez at the BiH Ministry of Defence in Sarajevo. The leaders agreed that the bilateral relations between our two countries and governments were very good. “Thanks to a whole raft of positive changes, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been making process in its integration into EU structures, and Slovakia will fully support its integration efforts into the future. Our nations are close to each other, and if we can do more, we will be pleased to do so,” the head of the SVK MOD said.
During the meeting, Defence Minister Zukan Helez thanked Slovakia for being one of the countries that have most actively pressed for support to BiH's integration as part of the country's accession process to the EU. The Ministers also breached the topic of opportunities for defence industrial cooperation between the nations, including on the development of Slovakia's high-calibre artillery systems.
