Poland supports its allies
27.08.2022
“I am very glad that we signed a joint declaration of cooperation when it comes to protecting the airspace over Slovakia. I think this is a very important argument that we are working very closely together. We are neighbours, we are friends, we share the threats in our part of Europe and we try to respond to them by strengthening our armed forces in order to deter a possible aggressor” - said Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak after signing the declaration on shared commitment to protect to airspace of the Slovak Republic.
On Saturday, August the 27th , at the Kuchyňa air base in Malacky, Mariusz Błaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of National Defence, signed a tripartite declaration with the ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia on shared commitment to protect the airspace of the Slovak Republic.
“From September the 1st , the pair on duty of the Polish F-16s will extend the scope of responsibility to Slovakia. We are stronger together”
- noted the head of the Ministry of National Defence.
M. Błaszczak emphasized the sense of community of Polish, Slovak, Czech and European interests.
“We are in NATO, we are in the EU, we support each other”
- argued the minister.
Polish and Czech fighters will operate from bases in their respective countries. According to the agreement, Slovakia will provide HN logistical support if needed. In the agreement on shared commitment to protect the airspace of the Slovak Republic, the ministers declared that they would provide the necessary forces to react quickly to potential violations of Slovakia's airspace. The mission of Polish and Czech pilots, which will start on September the 1st , 2022, is a response to the request of Minister Jaroslav Nad in connection with the decommissioning of Slovak MiG-29 aircraft. The declaration strengthening allied cooperation is also an expression of the solidarity of countries in the face of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak emphasized that joint responses to threats and neighbourly cooperation are extremely important today.
“I hope that when Slovakia has its F-16s, we will not only train, but also build operational plans for aviation cooperation on the basis of interoperability”.
- he said.
Jaroslav Nad, Slovak Defence Minister thanked Poland and the Czech Republic for their help. He emphasized that the support his country received is extremely important for security.
“Signing the declaration is a very important moment and an important decision. We have shown how strong our alliance within NATO is and within the EU, but it is a strong friendship, brotherhood between our countries. You will take care of our safety, of all Slovaks”
- said Jaroslav Nad.
During the visit to Slovakia, there were also acrobatic shows performed by, among others, pilots from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which take place as part of the international air show "Slovak International Air Fest 2022".
