Government approves presence of NATO soldiers in Slovakia, waits for greenlighting by Parliament

Up to 2,100 soldiers from other countries of the North Atlantic Alliance are set to operate in Slovakia, as the Government at its session on Wednesday okayed the strengthening of NATO's forward presence in Slovakia. However, the proposal still needs to be approved by Parliament. The unit in Slovakia will consist of up to 600 Czech, 200 Dutch, 100 Polish and Slovenian, 400 American and 700 German soldiers. Enhanced forward presence is to be set up in Slovakia as of March 15. "The aim is to demonstrate cohesion and declare readiness to defend jointly against any threat. NATO-member states are also confirming via this activity that a possible attack on one member will be considered an attack on all," said spokeswoman for the Slovak Defence Ministry Martina Koval Kakascikova. The number of members of the armed forces is also related to the equipment that the soldiers will use in defending Slovakia and that will supplement selected insufficient capabilities of the Slovak Armed Forces; for example, the Patriot air defence system and the possible deployment of Sentinel radar technology.