Prezident SR - Foto archív Slovak President meets NATO Secretary-General

Slovak President meets NATO Secretary-General

Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič received NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday in Bratislava. At the beginning of their meeting, the Slovak head of state thanked his guest for the work he had done for the Alliance. The two officials also discussed the current crisis situation in Ukraine. “We are committed to help Ukraine in all areas where help will be needed,” Slovak President said, adding Slovakia has already taken care of medical services for injured Ukrainian citizens. “I am also glad we have signed a memorandum of understanding on reverse gas deliveries to Ukraine,” he noted. In his opinion, “a solution to the situation in Ukraine should be sought by political and diplomatic means”.


As the current terms in office of both officials are about to end soon, Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked Ivan Gašparovič for the excellent relations and cooperation between Slovakia and NATO during the President’s entire ten year office term. He also commented on the situation in Ukraine and the steps recently taken by the Alliance to strengthen its defensive capabilities.

The NATO Secretary-General asked Slovakia to meet its allied commitment to spend 2% of GDP on its defence sector, since Slovakia’s defence expenditure currently only represents 1% of GDP. President Ivan Gašparovič said he was fully aware of this situation, and that he believed Slovakia should invest more to the modernisation of its armed forces. Slovak defence minister Martin Glváč, also present at the meeting, provided detailed information about the steps government took in this respect.