BRATISLAVA, March 16, (WEBNOVINY) – Slovak troops should end their operation in the UNFICYP mission in Cyprus. Defense Minister Lubomir Galko will suggest their withdrawal to the Cabinet. “Strategic evaluation of the defense sector has shown that the operation of our soldiers in Cyprus has a minimum importance for development of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in the future,” Galko said at a news conference on Wednesday. When compared with NATO and EU operations, as well as other UN missions, the mission in Cyprus does not have such importance for development of military skills. Galko opines that ten years is quite a long time for a nonstop operation of a state in one mission. Slovakia’s contribution, with nearly 200 peacekeepers in Cyprus, is oversized with regard to the country’s size and capabilities. Galko pointed out that Slovakia’s neighbors within the Visegrad Group contribute much less to the UN mission. The Czech Republic has ten soldiers there, Poland 15 and Hungary 88.
Another reason for ending the Slovak mission in Cyprus are expenses, explained the minister. Last year’s costs represented EUR 8.6 million, while the UN refunds only a portion of cost, which was EUR 3.4 million in 2010. The ministry thus contributed EUR 5.2 million, Galko reminded that as much as 86 percent of the continuously shrinking budget of the ministry is spent for obligatory matters, such as personnel costs, payroll levies, and operation. Only fourteen percent is left for modernization and foreign operations.
“We are fully aware of the importance of this operation in foreign policy terms,” Galko stated. According to him, if funds for the mission were found outside the ministry’s budget, it would be possible to discuss Slovak troops remaining in Cyprus. Slovak troops have served there since 2001, while 1,900 members of the Armed Forces have rotated there.
Strategic evaluation of the defense sector, which is to determine its future, is part of the government’s program statement. Galko reminded that the goal is to have fewer operations but with a higher quality contribution. Deployment of further soldiers to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, and transformation of the ALTHEA mission in BiH, where Slovakia has taken over the command in the south sector confirms the strategy. The minister concluded by saying that by the end of the year, Slovak troops will take over the command of the training team in Afghan province of Uruzgan.
SITA