President: Extension of NATO Deadline for Defence Spending Hikes Achieved

Bratislava, 24 June (TASR) - Together with other countries of NATO, Slovakia managed to negotiate an extension of the deadline for achieving the defense spending goal of five percent of GDP from the original five to ten years - until 2035, President Peter Pellegrini stated at the M.R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava before departing for the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday. According to Pellegrini, Slovakia insists on reaching a consensus among all member countries of the Alliance. „If all members at the table on Wednesday agree with the final declaration, Slovakia won't block its adoption as the only country," Pellegrini emphasised, adding that Slovakia's position stems from a consensus. The President underlined that he had also consulted the government's stance on the matter. In Pellegrini's view, Slovakia continues to insist on the extended deadline within which the goals are actually achievable, and the country reserves the right to its sovereignty - to decide itself on whether or not its public finances will allow it to increase defense spending. „If they do, Slovakia will primarily prefer spending on dual-use projects such as infrastructure improvement." „Slovakia is not going to agree to massive arming tomorrow," Pellegrini stressed. Together with Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD), they announced that the proposed conclusions do not specify the volume by which expenditures should increase annually - which gives countries flexibility in determining their own pace. Pellegrini accentuated that this is another change that was successfully negotiated on Slovakia's initiative. On Tuesday, the NATO summit begins in The Hague. It is expected that leaders will officially approve the commitment to significantly increase defence spending collectively to up to five percent of GDP annually. At the event, former long-time Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will make his debut as NATO Secretary-General. The meeting is supposed to be attended by the prime ministers and presidents of all 32 member states, including U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa will also be present. mf/mcs