Spanish King Felipe VI visited the Lešť military training area on Wednesday to observe the capabilities of Spanish soldiers and their cooperation with allies. He was accompanied by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, who emphasized that the king’s visit to Slovakia was not solely about military affairs. The day marked the conclusion of a military exercise demonstrating that the Spanish-led multinational brigade is ready to meet NATO’s demands and has now passed NATO certification. Together, the leaders greeted the Spanish contingent, with Pellegrini expressing gratitude for their contribution to Slovakia’s defense and territorial integrity.
Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) added that the multinational brigade at Lešť has been under Spanish command for a year. “King Felipe VI came to check how the certification process went. The Slovak national brigade is one of the first to be certified in terms of certain required capabilities,” he said, adding that such brigades act as a safeguard in the event of conflict escalation across Europe. He praised Lešť as a location well-equipped for diverse and combined military training.
Jesús Marco Vila, speaking for the Spanish soldiers, described the king’s visit as a source of pride. “It strengthens cooperation and reaffirms Spain’s commitment to helping NATO allies,” he noted, saying the troops were glad to showcase their skills. This is currently Spain’s largest foreign mission, with around 1,400 personnel deployed.
Pellegrini called the king’s visit friendly and highlighted opportunities for future cooperation beyond defense, including in tourism and the defense industry. He also extended an invitation for an official state visit to Slovakia.
Source: TASR
