H.E. Mr. Michal Kottman, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic

The support of the processes of stability and security enhancement through active participation in international peacekeeping missions and operations is one of the major elements of the foreign policy and the security policy of the Slovak Republic since its very establishment. The history of the Slovak peacekeeping started in 1992 when in the framework of the Czechoslovak Federal Army Slovak soldiers were in the staff of the mission of the UNOSOM observers in Somalia and in the battalion of infantrymen in the peacekeeping mission UNPROFOR in former Yugoslavia.

As I already mentioned, the Slovak Republic had an active presence on the Balkans. Beside the mentioned UNPROFOR mission, an engineering battalion acted till 1998 in the framework of UNTAES in Eastern Slavonia in Croatia. We can also mention the participation in the NATO-led SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and KFOR in Kosovo, and also the EU monitoring missions on the territory of former Yugoslavia and the EU ◊Concordia“ operations in Macedonia.

In the UNFICYP operation in Cyprus 270 soldiers of the Slovak armed forces took part. The Slovak Republic is engaged also outside the borders of our continent. Here I will mention only UNDOF on the Golan Heights, UNMEE in Ethiopia and Erythrea.

A special chapter is Slovakia’s participation in the operations supporting the fight against terrorism. The government of the Slovak Republic not only verbally condemned the international terrorism and recognised the need to fight this security threat but undertook concrete actions to support these joint efforts. In the frames of Enduring strong Freedom operation in Afghanistan, a 40 contingent was deployed and the Slovak Parliament agreed to include in a sapper unit in ISAF under the NATO command. As a reaction to the Iraqi crisis, the Slovak Republic sent a 70-member unit of radiologists, specialists in chemical and biological defence in the joint Czechoslovak battalion in the Kuwaiti Camp Doha. Today on the territory of Iraq in Al Hila there are 100 representatives of the engineering troops.

Since 1993, a total of about 10 000 people from the Slovak Republic army personnel have taken part in over 20 peacekeeping missions under the flag of the UN, NATO, EU or OSCE. Today, in our missions abroad there are about 750 Slovak soldiers. I think this fact shows clearly enough the determination of the Slovak Republic to be something more than a passive consumer of international security – to be an effective and responsible element of the security structure and support the peace and stability in the world.

The accession of my country to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, together with Bulgaria and five more countries, is viewed as a historical and crucial moment. The Slovak Republic became a member of the family of democratic states that share common values – democracy, solidarity, human and civil rights and freedoms, market policy and economy, ready to protect and defend them.

The significance of the NATO membership has several aspects. The most important one ensues from the military-political character of the Alliance. The membership in this undoubtedly strongest and most effective organisation for collective defence gives us stable guarantees for security and free development of our country as a whole and of each citizen. We are not alone in the face of the security threats and challenges, we can rely on our allies. This is particularly important for the Slovak Republic, which is a relatively small country of a limited capacity. Joining NATO gives us the opportunity to participate directly in forming the international security architecture, we can actively create secure and stable environment around us. The Slovak Republic is no more object (as more than once in the past) but a subject in international security policy.

We should not underestimate the economic aspects, too. We believe that the membership will give us the opportunity to allocate more effectively our defence funds. The preparation for NATO membership and the actual membership have positive influence and stimulate the modernisation and restructuring of our armed forces, which was necessary. With the NATO membership it became clear that the Slovak Republic is a standard democratic state with a favourable business and investment climate. And this is very important for the investors.

I will extend my answer to your question by saying what the Slovak Republic will give the Allince. We are fully aware that together with the advantages NATO membership also brings obligations we are ready to fulfil. Firstly, the Slovak Republic gives the Alliance political solidarity and full support in the implementation of its goals and tasks. We have the interest and the capacity to assist the achievement of consensus, to strengthen the solidarity of the Alliance and promote the trans-Atlantic relations. Together with our political support we provide human and professional potential, knowledge and expertise from our activities in some important regions, and our opinion on solving crisis situations around the world. Finally, I will mention our military input. For the implementation of the agreed NATO operations we provide our armed forces, which are professional, modernised and trained to act side by side with the other allies’ troops.

Naturally, we fully support the enlargement of the security and stability zone, this is in our common interest. With the enlargement of the zone our own security grows. This was also a main motive and message of the meeting of heads of states and government in Bratislava on March 18–19 this year, where regions.

The European and the trans-Atlantic integration brought security and stability in Europe, therefore these processes should develop further.

H.E. Mr. Andrej Gerencer Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia

Slovenia was as a partner and an aspirant country all the time very well aware of its security responsibilities. NATO membership has increased our security responsibility and Slovenia will do its best to deal with the modern day security challenges as a reliable member of the Alliance. Slovenia has already for several years actively participated in the NATO-led operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina (SFOR) and in Kosovo (KFOR). At the end of February 2004 Slovenia has joined the NATO-led operation in Afghanistan (ISAF) and has expressed willingness to enlarge its presence in Afghanistan in the future. Besides that Slovenia has always fully and unreservedly supported the goals and policy of the Atlantic Alliance.

Membership in NATO provides to Slovenia the best possible security/defense framework. Besides that it enables Slovenia to participate in shaping security policy in the Euro-Atlantic area and its neighborhood and it enhances Slovenia’s ability to engage in peace supporting operations. NATO has also established a very high level of security trust in Europe which additionally contributes to stability and security.

Slovenia supports further enlargement of NATO with all the countries willing to join the Alliance and fulfill the required conditions. Slovenia is willing to assist all aspirant countries in their endeavors to fulfill the criteria for membership in NATO. Deepening and widening partnership also importantly contributes to the stability and security of the Euro-Atlantic Area and its neighborhood.