President Pellegrini Leaves for NATO Summit in The Hague

Bratislava, 24 June (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini left on Tuesday afternoon for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit due to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday (25 June) in The Hague, the Netherlands, the President Office's communications department told TASR, adding that the head of state is accompanied by Vice-premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (both Smer-SD). "The main topics of the summit will be the current security challenges and strengthening the defence capabilities of the member states," said the communications department. The discussion will also focus on defence spending and its importance for increasing security in Europe. The leaders will also discuss the further development of NATO's European pillar. The summit will kick off with a joint dinner of the heads of state and government at the invitation of the Dutch royal couple, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. The Slovak President is scheduled to address the meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday. The summit is expected to result in a joint declaration on collective defence and defence spending. am/mcs