Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) and Czech department head Jaromír Zůn agreed on the need to ensure greater defense industrial self-sufficiency for the country. The countries they represent want to continue expanding their cooperation. Similar positions are held by ministers on the issue of American claims to Greenland. According to them, the geopolitical scene should be discussed and the use of military force should be avoided. The ministers stated this at a briefing after a joint initial meeting during Zůn’s official visit to Slovakia.
- Slovakia and the Czech Republic want to strengthen defense industrial self-sufficiency and cooperation.
- The ministers also discussed the geopolitical situation and the disputes surrounding Greenland.
- The Czech Republic continues to help monitor Slovak airspace and missions in Slovakia.
- Negotiations are also underway on the possible joint development of defense technologies.
- Both countries support diplomatic solutions and security cohesion within NATO.
Kaliňák appreciated that the Czech Republic continues to help guard Slovak airspace. According to his words, he is also happy for their continued representation in the multinational brigade on the territory of Slovakia. “Of course, during the initial part of the negotiations, because we will continue after lunch, we also discussed the possibilities of our industrial cooperation, which we have open. We are discussing the Czech Skyfox training aircraft.” said Kaliňák.
According to Zůn, the defense interests of the Czech Republic and Slovakia are often very close or even identical. He emphasized that the countries have a lot to offer each other. He announced that the Czech Republic will continue its multinational mission in Slovakia. “We will also look for ways in which the Czech Republic could participate and eventually purchase the production of the Slovak arms industry. Alternatively, what we could develop together prospectively.” announced the Czech defense chief.
The ministers have a similar attitude to the geopolitical situation around Greenland. The Slovak head of the department emphasized that disputes between countries should be resolved diplomatically, and public references to military interventions do not help anything. “I am convinced that NATO is able to provide such possibilities that any doubts about the security of Greenland will be removed. That is, the joint procedure can remove any doubts on the part of the United States, whether someone else has some security interests there.” Kaliňák thinks. He also emphasized the difference between the situation in Greenland and Ukraine, because Denmark, to which Greenland belongs, is in NATO.
“I hope that the negotiations that are now underway will eventually reach solutions that will be acceptable to everyone and will lead to a calming of the situation. The Czech Republic cares very much about the cohesion of the Alliance, it is very important that Article 5 (of the North Atlantic Treaty, TASR note) works if necessary,” emphasized Zuna. The Czech Republic will thus support solutions that ensure this.
