Pellegrini Welcomes Use of EU SAFE Loan to Boost Slovak Defence

Bratislava/Lisbon, 27 November (TASR) – President Peter Pellegrini welcomes the government's decision to invest in the country's defence and to make use of a loan from the European Security Ammunition Support for Europe (SAFE) tool to strengthen the European defence industry and purchase equipment, regardless of the past views of government politicians. Speaking at a press conference during his working visit to Portugal, Pellegrini said that Slovakia needs modern armed forces and a state capable of guaranteeing the safety of its citizens. "I fully support this government decision and the decisions of the defence minister, so that we can rearm the armed forces as actively and as quickly as possible, equip them with the most modern technology, and build or join an anti-drone shield. These are all investments that are simply essential," said Pellegrini, adding that he's being regularly updated by Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) on the modernisation of the Slovak army. Pellegrini announced that in the coming weeks or months he expects an extensive meeting with representatives of the armed forces focused on legislation. "Our legislation recognises only a state of war or a state of peace. It recognises nothing in between ... Today neither the army nor the government can effectively take decisions and deploy an air-defence system, a missile system or erect barriers somewhere along the border because the law doesn't allow it," he stated. At its meeting on Wednesday (26 November), the government decided that the purchase of weapons or vehicles for the army will be co-financed through a loan from SAFE. The Defence Ministry plans to use the entire amount allocated for Slovakia's defence, potentially borrowing more than €2.3 billion. In total, SAFE will fully or partly finance nine investment projects. mf/df