Defense cooperation and Ukraine at the center of the meeting of the Hellenic Armed Forces and Slovakia

The strengthening of the defense cooperation between Greece and Slovakia, the developments in the war in Ukraine and the EU-NATO cooperation were in the center of today’s meeting of the Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Panayotopoulos with the Slovak counterpart of Jaroslav Nad (Jaroslav Nad) .

Messrs. Panagiotopoulos and Nant stressed that the two countries condemn all the review actions, which have become a significant threat to Euro-Atlantic security, and challenge international law and the fundamental principles on which the European security architecture is based.

At the same time, they reiterated that the war in Ukraine undermines European security and calls into question the stability of Europe, while reaffirming their solidarity and determination to continue their unwavering support for Ukraine in every possible way.

They also agreed on the need for close and mutually reinforcing cooperation between the EU and NATO, taking into account the new security environment.

Further, they agreed to explore areas of mutually beneficial projects between the two countries’ defense industries.

Also, at the meeting of the Ministers of National Defense, the defense priorities of the two countries and the efforts to increase their defense budgets and the modernization of their defense capabilities were discussed. Mr Panayotopoulos argued that in order to achieve this faster, defense spending should be excluded from EU deficit rules and that our national fiscal policies should be in line with current security needs and geopolitical environment.

Finally, the two ministers also discussed the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, where tensions have recently escalated due to provocations and unilateral actions against Greece, in violation of international law.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos went to Bratislava today, as part of his official visit, at the invitation of his Slovak counterpart.