BRATISLAVA, May 26, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak troops in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) have done a good job, Defense Minister Lubomir Galko announced on Thursday. Using a teleconferencing application, Galko congratulated them on the tenth anniversary of their service in the divided island. “You’ve done a good job over these ten years. The thanks goes not only to those present in Cyprus at the moment but to all those who participated in this mission in the past,” Galko stated.
The mission in Cyprus is of paramount importance because it brings about peace and stability between the two parties unable for diverse reasons to strike accord for long. The aspect of foreign policy also plays great role, Galko told Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Vostiar, who, in response, said that it was a great feeling but also huge responsibility to be in command of this multinational contingent.
The minister did not dodge the question of potential withdrawal of Slovak troops. The entire government must help to pool sources for the mission because of its extraordinary importance in the field of foreign policy. “I feel relatively strong support from the foreign affairs minister as well as the prime minister. Thus, I firmly believe that the sources, which the Defense Ministry lacks, will be found by the Cabinet and that you and your successors will be able to further build Slovakia’s reputation in Cyprus,” Galko told the 12th commander in chief of the Slovak contingent in UNFICYP. The minister, however, highlighted that unless the money is pooled, he will insist on the withdrawal because his ministry lacks sources for continuation of the mission.
SITA