BRATISLAVA, October 6, (WEBNOVINY) — Defense expenses next year will be higher than the originally proposed EUR 750.47 million, which accounted for 1.07 percent of GDP. The Cabinet approved on Wednesday a hike of the budgetary chapter of the Defense Ministry by EUR 20 million. The approved additional money is destined for purchase of equipment destined for removing the impacts of floods, confirmed the spokesman for the Finance Ministry Martin Jaros.
In 2011, Slovakia will thus spend over EUR 770 million for defense. As a member of NATO, the country should allocate 2 percent of GDP for defense purposes. Defense Minister Lubomir Galko (SaS) explains that Slovakia has to cope with a desolated state of public finances.
SITA