NATO Division HQ of Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia Fully Capable of Operations

Bratislava/Budapest, February 10 (TASR-correspondent) - The NATO Central European Multinational Division Headquarters, established by Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia, has achieved full operational capability, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced at an official ceremony in the Hungarian town of Szekesfehervar on Monday, which was also attended by Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD). "The current geopolitical environment is extremely unstable and unpredictable. Therefore, unity and solidarity among allies is crucial. I am proud that Slovakia has joined Hungary and Croatia and has been participating in building this headquarters ever since," said Kalinak. He added that Slovakia's intention was to contribute to NATO's joint capabilities, strengthen regional security, and demonstrate readiness for effective deterrence on the Alliance's eastern flank. Hungary already last year set a priority of further strengthening the Szekesfehervar-based headquarters of the NATO Multinational Division Centre in partnership with two other framework countries - Croatia and Slovakia - and this has now happened also with the help of Slovakia, stated NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska. Slovak General Tibor Kralik is currently the commander of the NATO Central European Multinational Division. Seventeen members of the Slovak Army serve in the division's headquarters (HQ MND-C) at the moment. ko/mcs