Sutaj Estok: We'll Discuss Issue of Gendarmes with Defence Ministry

Bratislava, 24 July (TASR) – The Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry will discuss the setting up of a Gendarmerie Corps at a joint meeting, stated Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) in response to a journalist's question at a press conference on Thursday, adding that he welcomes the initiative of Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD). "I'm still convinced that this law, which established the Gendarmerie Corps, is justified. In particular, we're talking about strengthening security in our rural areas and towns, where it is simply a problem to set up a police station at all," he said, adding that the ministers will hold talks "in the coming days." Police Corps vice-president Rastislav Polakovic is expected to attend the meeting on behalf of the police. The Act on Certain Measures to Increase the Resilience of the Slovak Republic in the Area of Defence and Security brought about changes in active army reserves as well as the formation of the Gendarmerie Corps. Former police officers and professional soldiers are expected to serve in this corps. The gendarmes are supposed to assist the police in maintaining public order in sparsely populated areas. am/df