Ministry in Talks with Germany on Slovak Soldiers' Deployment in Irini Operation

Bratislava, August 9 (TASR) - The Slovak Defence Ministry is holding talks with Germany on deployment of Slovak troops in the EU's Naval Force Mediterranean Operation (EUNAVFOR MED) Irini, ministry's spokesperson Martina Koval Kakascikova has told TASR. Five members of the Slovak Army and ten Slovak military police officers might serve within the operation. The first team, comprised of a maximum of five soldiers of the Slovak Army, should operate at the operation's headquarters in Rome. "Meanwhile, the Slovak military police officers should form a part of the so-called Boarding Team, which should be deployed on a German Navy vessel," said the spokesperson. According to Koval Kakascikova, deployment of the two Slovak teams is currently a subject of negotiations. In line with the valid legislation, the proposal must also be approved by the government and subsequently by the parliament. As of April 1, the EUNAVFOR MED Irini operation has replaced the EUNAVFOR MED Sophia operation, within which Slovak military police officers served in 2017 and 2018. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer praised their performance within the operation during her recent visit to Slovakia. ko