Kalinak: Security Situation in West Priority

Bratislava, 23 January (TASR) - Slovakia is currently facing an unprecedented security and economic crisis, and this must be given priority, stated Vice-premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak following a meeting of the coalition council on Friday. The minister described the situation concerning Greenland as a serious problem that undermines unity. "We need to respond flexibly to current challenges; this is more important today," he told reporters. Kalinak considers the situation in the West related to Greenland to be a "top priority." Meanwhile, he declined to comment on whether Slovakia has received an invitation to the so-called Peace Council. "There is a problem in the East, and now there's also a problem in the West, which is much more serious because it disrupts complete unity - and we see this as a top priority," said Kalinak, adding that extreme caution is needed regarding Greenland. He reiterated that he can't imagine military action by the USA, because it would mean the complete end of NATO. "On the other hand, there is some kind of agreement between Denmark and the United States, which I believe that the United States will observe, meaning an increase in military presence. It seems that what's currently being actively discussed is a fundamental change in this presence with different powers," he stated. The defence minister has so far declined to comment on whether Slovakia has received an invitation to US President Donald Trump's so-called Peace Council. "These are very complex processes, which in many countries can be decided by the leader if the country is based on a single leader. This is a much more complicated system within Slovakia and other countries, which have clearly stated that they'll discuss and address each such issue in detail. I think that when the time is right to announce it, we'll definitely announce it," he said, adding that it would create a parallel structure alongside the UN. However, according to him, the government has always said that it will support any initiative in favour of peace, so this topic will be discussed. The Peace Council was set up on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland by US President Donald Trump. He's invited around 60 countries to join. According to European Council President Antonio Costa, EU leaders have serious doubts about the Peace Council when it comes to its scope, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter. am/df