Home / News - Defense Minister Kasicky Pays Official Visit to Washington

Defense Minister Kasicky Pays Official Visit to Washington

Slovak Defense Minister Frantisek Kasicky and members of his staff visited Norfolk, Virginia and Washington, DC September 4-6. September 4 Minister Kasicky visited the headquarters of the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) Gen. Lance Smith in Norfolk. A flag raising ceremony was held honoring Slovakia’s national day. On September 5 he held a productive meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England at the Pentagon. On September 6 Minister Kasicky, accompanied by Ambassador Kacer, was hosted at a small breakfast forum for government, think tank and business representatives interested in Slovak defense policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Friends of Slovakia Vice Chairman Bill Tucker and Founding Chairman Ambassador Ted Russell (ret.) participated in the discussion.

Minister Kasicky pointed out that Slovakia has a very realistic defense budget and can make good on any pledge to NATO. Slovakia plans to downsize use of its forces abroad in peacekeeping activities to two or three sustainable foreign operations. Afghanistan is the number one priority, followed by Cyprus and the Balkans. Slovakia still has troops in the Golan Heights and the Balkans including Kosovo as well as staff officers in Iraq. In 2009 Slovakia will join the Czech Republic to provide about 300 troops for a common EU battle group.

Slovakia can offer NATO specialized training and facilities. Medical training, engineering and de-mining are areas of particular competence. In response to questions, Minister Kasicky explained that Slovakia has plans to stabilize the current size of its armed forces and to make enlistment more attractive. Asked whether Slovakia has surrendered any sovereignty by joining the EU and NATO, the Minister said that Slovakia has simply joined two organizations that share common values.