BRATISLAVA, February 22, (WEBNOVINY) – Italy’s Armed Forces have offered Slovakia cooperation in training of pilots and in logistics. The aim is to decrease cost of the Slovak Army if it decides to purchase C27J Spartan cargo aircraft from the Italian firm Alenia Aeronautica, the winner of the Defense Ministry’s tender in the previous election term. Italy’s Military Attache Brig. Gen. Carlo Landi, who met with Slovak Defense Minister Lubomir Galko on Tuesday accompanied by Italian Ambassador to Slovakia Brunella Borzi informed the minister about the offer. The defense minister said they would consider the offer, but the decision can be expected only in several months. He stressed that Slovakia is not looking for a different supplier of the aircraft. “The winner of the international tender is clear. The question is, whether and when we will buy the aircraft. That will be defined based on a strategic assessment of the defense department, which should be ready this summer,” added the minister.
Shortly after he took up, Minister Galko declared Slovakia’s interest in purchasing cargo planes, for which a tender was held in 2008 and Alenia Aeronautica was the winner. Galko however pointed out that everything is a matter of finances. He also confirmed that the current budget of the Defense Ministry does not count on buying the aircraft.
The defense minister and his Italian guests agreed on possible cooperation in the area of air space protection. Landi stated that he does not see a problem if also Slovak air force protects a part of the Italian airspace. Italy, for instance, protects Slovenia’s skies.
The ambassador suggested Minister Galko bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart. “The meeting could be held in Rome or here in Slovakia this year,” she said. Galko welcomed the proposal. The ambassador sees opportunities for mutual cooperation of the two countries in particular within the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. The mission is Slovakia’s top priority regarding foreign missions. The defense minister underscored that just like Italy, Slovakia supports a fluent transfer of power to the Afghan government, which however cannot be done overnight. The Defense Ministry’s spokesman Ivan Rudolf informed SITA of the meeting.
SITA